A TRIBUTE TO MY COMPANION OF 14 YEARS I purchased Heyoka in 1994 while I was living in Lakeville, Massachusetts. Heyoka was a black and white Shih Tzu a dog whose breed came from China. These puppies do look like flowers, he was sweet and for three days nameless. My husband and I would look at him and nothing clicked as to what to call him. I was going to bed one night when the incoming information told me to open the Native American Tarot cards to find his name. I opened the cards, I looked and looked and found nothing until I packed the cards to go back in the box when out fell this card called Heyoka. A Heyoka in Native American terms is a clown and also Coyote medicine. It all clicked into place then, as this puppy from the first day howled like a coyote, who is my major first totem animal and teacher to me. Heyoka also decided from the get go that he deserved a sex life even as a puppy, my husband looked at him with his pillow and told me he was uncomfortable watching this dog have sex, I told him that was Heyoka's choice and we would have to ignore him.
Within that year I went on a cross country road trip with a friend of mine, we both took our cars packed up and used CB radios to stay connected. I must say it was a blast, we drove only six hours a day giving Heyoka a walk in between. I lived Sedona Arizona with him three and a half years in peace and contentment.
One day I walked into "Garlands" a wonderful gift center on the Oak Creek Canyon road to Flagstaff and there was a Kachina doll of a Heyoka man, holding in his arms a black and white Shih Tzu dog wonderfully hand carved. The Heyoka's of the villages were older men who were the guardians of the boys in a sense, at festivals they passed around and had fun with watermelons, they wore big black and white stripes on their bodies with a white face with two horns of black and white on their head. I looked at the price and decided there was a few ways of buying this and I did not need the indulgence and would most likely rue the day I did not buy it.
Heyoka had a mind of his own, followed me everyone around the home, gave eye contact all the time and would drive anyone crazy with the stare unless he was sleeping. He took the position of guardian whether I wanted it or not. In his older years he would oscillate between not hearing well or not seeing well. He slept on the bed with me in the winters and would move frequently and slam himself against my body to snuggle, a wonderful connection. Heyoka had a stately serious attitude about what he would and would not do, if I was to walk him and it was hot, he gave me his baleful eye ball look since one of his eyes showed more white than the other and would just sit down and that was that!
I tried so hard not to mourn his age while taking care of him this last year, I was operating on red alert diligence as one would do with an older relative and I most likely drove him nuts with concern. A few weeks ago I received an email from this wonderful woman I know who asked if she could come and be with him before he passed. I felt my dread. I had not kept her up to date our relationship was not constant but truly consistent in our support of each other. I knew in my heart she was correct to offer and so she came. The conversation was very supportive for me to feel, he looked at her then to me, I had him covered with a towel blanket since it was chilly in the room. When Linda left I called my husband and told him it was time. Heyoka was having trouble breathing.
I had already taken him to a vet who told me according to the x-ray he had a congestive heart, I felt relief for an instant even knowing, then realized I had always known he had a heart condition and was suffering denial. This vet then went on to give me statements that took away the diagnosis, it could have been this way for years, it could be a virus, etc. Well, hell this was not helpful, get him cough medicine she said, what dog wants to swallow Robitussin? My group came and the nurses told me the cough was the sign of congestive heart failure. I could have asked them for heavens sake!
I went into the throes of grief, letting it all out after he passed. The ritual I did not ask for was to get in the shower and cry and cry. Soon, this went into not every day, I had his ashes, put them beside my bed, I bought a rock message regarding dogs it says: "Dogs leave paw prints on our hearts". I put it in the kitchen with his picture. I received some cards. Kind friends cried on the phone with me when informed. I felt totally undone, lonely and alone anyway.
My web master send me the lovely poem called: "The Rainbow Bridge" for us humans to read when losing a pet, it was lovely.
One day two weeks ago I went into the shower and felt as if my body wanted to cry again, instead I was told by my guides to close my eyes and ignore my bodies message. I did so, then I found myself through their direction singing the song, (which I did not know) "In the Arms of the Angels". I sang two sentences then saw clearly in my minds eye an angel a brilliant white luminescence that blinded me, but in that luminescence I clearly saw the outlined face of a being behind the light, with very huge wings. In that total second I saw Heyoka in the arms of this being as she turned, he was in her arms, and he turned to look at me with that one baleful eye! I was totally astounded, I had sung two more sentences of words I do not even recall. This whole incident took place in two to three seconds. I was gratified to see Heyoka looking fit as a fiddle. The exchange of his eye to my eyes was incredibly healing and I felt filled with peace that he was safe. The angel as she turned flew into oblivion with him.
A day later a friend of mine who lives in Florida sent me a wonderful heart pin, red with a black ribbon, and a wonderful paw print. In the small box there lay the poem again: "The Rainbow Bridge".
I trust the signs given to me in this life and I had never had a stronger experience in regard to the Angelic realm than in that moment in my whole life. I know when they are with me and are with us all but this was such a beautiful gift to me, so for now we are separated but just for now. Thank you for reading my tribute to Heyoka, my little contrary friend. Pat "Dogs Leave Paw Prints on our Hearts"
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Pat is listed on Bob Olson's web resource for discovering gifted psychic mediums. Bob is a psychic medium researcher, author, and advocate. He is the editor of OfSpirit Magazine, author of "Win The Battle", co-author of "Understanding Spirit", and "Understanding Yourself." You can read about his reading with Pat at BestPsychicMedium.com.
They are more than friends, they are our guides, our companions and teachers too. You were a great mom to love your Heyoka so much and you are a great lady. I wish you all the best during your recovery.
Bless you,
Paul
PS - Here's the Rainbow Bridge Poem -
Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....
Author unknown...