Honoring the Bonds Between Worlds and Remembering Our Pets Beyond the Physical
A reflection on love, loss, and connection as the veil between worlds grows thin this season.
It’s late October in Florida, and the marsh hums with sound and shimmer. Rainy season has finally ended, yet the ground still glistens with what it carried. Pools of water catch the blue sky, the cypress and Spanish moss hang heavy with moisture. The marsh is a refuge now, lush and green, full of fruit, flowers, and seeds. It offers food and water for those who’ve endured the long, hot summer and a place to rest for travelers passing through on their way south. This is the abundance before the dry season begins. When the water sinks deeper and food becomes scarce. A brief, shining pause for life to refuel and gather strength. Life stirs everywhere. Frogs hidden beneath ferns, herons lifting slow wings from the shallows, dragonflies flashing like sparks over the water. The air feels lighter, merciful after months of thick heat, and a thin veil of morning fog softens the horizon. The mosquitoes this time of year are the size of tiny birds, flapping through the autumn air, a reminder of what remains after the rainy season. To the south, a tropical system that carries my name moves slowly over the Caribbean, a quiet reflection of the energy that still lingers here. This is my favorite time of year.
This Thursday marked the final class in my Conscious Cat Parent series, and I’m still sitting in the afterglow of what unfolded there. We spent the evening talking about communication, subtle cues, and the ways our cats reflect our own energy back to us. It felt fitting to end the series in this season of transition, a time that asks us to listen differently, to soften, to trust the invisible threads that connect us all.
As I sit drinking my morning coffee, I watch a small family of deer carefully wading through the shallow water, their fawns bounding playfully behind them. It’s a reminder of how alive this place is, even in stillness. I’ve been thinking a lot about the animals who have walked beside me and now live in spirit. I can feel them close, especially the cats. Maisy, Jackson, Jolie, and Peridot have been on my mind so much lately. They’ve always carried a certain quiet wisdom in how they move between worlds. I miss their physical presence, but this fall feels especially tender. It’s my first without Maisy. When I sit in the garden and don’t see her there, my heart sinks. But then I drop into my heart and I still feel her near. She would sit beside me, her soft meows blending with the rustle of leaves as she chased tiny bugs or nibbled on blades of grass. Though she’s gone, I sense her spirit woven into the rhythm of these autumn days. Those small moments made the days sweeter.
Sometimes their presence arrives as a whisper in my mind, a familiar sound, or a sudden warmth that floods my chest. Other times it’s a gentle brush at my ankle when no one is there, or the faint sound of paws on the floor that makes me pause. There’s a knowing that hums beneath grief, a steady pulse of love that never really leaves.
In my work as an animal communicator and medium, I’ve learned that these moments are more than memory. Our animals reach across the unseen, reminding us that connection isn’t limited to the physical. I often hear people say they’re afraid to have a session with their animals who have passed, that their animals might be angry or distant, or that they won’t come through at all. But that has never been my experience. Love doesn’t hold angeror fade with time or distance. Sometimes the most healing thing we can do is to be brave enough to reach out, to speak to them, and to feel what comes back. It’s not about proving anything, it’s about remembering the language of love that never stops speaking.
They teach us that love, when given freely, is energy, and energy never disappears. When we open ourselves to that truth, we find comfort in knowing that our bond continues, even as it changes form. If you’ve been thinking about connecting with your animal in spirit but have felt hesitant, reach out. We can talk about what that might look like for you. And if you’re ready, I promise, you won’t regret it. The peace that comes from knowing they’re okay, that their love never left, is something that can help you breathe again.
If you’re missing your beloved animal this season, remember that just as the seasons shift, so too do our relationships with them but love remains constant. Try creating a small ritual of remembrance. Light a candle, hold their photo, or sit somewhere they loved to be. Breathe. Speak their name aloud. Notice what stirs in your body or what memory rises to meet you. Trust that they hear you. Trust that they’re still with you, in their own way.
We’ll be gathering on November 2 to honor these bonds together. A space to share stories, memories, and love. This is a completely free event to honor and celebrate the lives of those who have crossed the rainbow bridge. Details are posted in the Compassionate Paws group. If this speaks to you, you’re warmly invited to join us.
Thank you so much for reading this post!
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November 2, I’ll be co-hosting a Compassionate Paws Remembrance Gathering. for pet loss and grief inside my Compassionate Paws Facebook group. All details and the private Zoom link will be shared there— free to join, no sales, just community and connection. Please join us inside the Compassionate Paws Facebook group.
My name is Melissa, and I’m an animal communicator, energy healer, and holistic pet health coach. I live on a little farm sanctuary where I’m happily outnumbered by animals: seven dogs, three cats, and a mix of other furry, feathered, and hooved friends who keep life interesting. You can learn more about my work at calmingcreek.com
I’d love to hear from you! Whether you have stories to share or questions to ask, don’t hesitate to join the conversation in the comments section below.
For more pet health tips and other ways to connect:
Disclaimer: The information shared in this blog is for educational and informational purposes only. I am not a veterinarian, and my services are intended as a complementary practice to support your pet’s overall well-being. They are not a substitute for professional veterinary care, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your veterinarian regarding any medical concerns, conditions, or treatments your pet may require.
This is wonderful, and I needed to hear this as this time.
Writing of Maisy brought tears to my eyes. In case, it's not obvious I'm a fan of your words - sending love.