In the last year (OK closer to two) I have learned that most things in life are about timing. We often have to hear things at the right time, in the right way, when we are in the right headspace.

Last week, I got a little sprinkling of magical timing. I received a message and, frankly, had I received it at any other time I may have missed the gift.

It came at just the right time.

Last Friday morning, I woke up to the usual bantering of our cat, Bhakti. She talks to us, the animals outside, the walls. She will talk to anything or anyone who will listen. She has a lot to say most of the time. We’ve been a one-cat household since October so it was surprising when I noticed I was wondering, “Where’s Basil?”

Basil was our wise, somewhat grumpy,  17-year-old feline that passed away eight months ago. While we miss him dearly it’s not often that I “forget” he’s no longer on this plane with us.

I told my husband, “You know what’s weird? I almost just asked you where Basil was?”

I didn’t linger on it too long and got up and started with the day. I was sitting on the sofa writing in my journal as I do most mornings, drinking coffee, skimming email — all the usual fare. Then I came across a daily email I get called A Note from the Universe.

As I began to read it, I was startled. I then read it out loud to my husband, which then brought the tears:

We just want you to know, Angela, that those animals you’ve known, who’ve moved beyond the veils of time and space;

Were forever changed by your love, are all alive and well, and they’ve banded together to ask me a favor …
that I make sure you get this message.

Bark, meow, chirp, ergle–
The Universe

The idea that all the animals I have loved and cared for in this life are on the other side sending me love arrived just at the right time. It’s like I got the answer to where Basil was.

While this email is quasi-personalized, I know it was sent to thousands of people that day but I can’t help but believe it was from our Basil and Parsley.

And maybe even the various cats, hamsters and dogs of my childhood.

It seemed more than a coincidence that on the day I awoke with Basil on my mind I would get a message like this.

Later in the day, I told Lowi about it and she was, of course, totally on the same page with me.

Our animals love and charm their way deep into our hearts and our psyches.

Sadly, a good friend’s pup crossed the rainbow bridge this week and she said this is the price we pay for loving them so much. It does feel like too high a price at the time— hen you are in the thick of it — but with time it becomes a testament to the connection, to the love, to the bond. 

Unfortunately, Lowi and I have shared our loss of pets a little too often in the last couple of years (as I am sure some of you have as well).
But I also know neither of us would ever change a thing.
We would never love less, get less attached. They get the best of us, because they love the best in us.

In the right time, we can embrace that truth.

Sunshine & Sarcasm,
Lowi & G