ALI 7675

His number read “7675”at the New Rochelle, NY animal shelter. His description listed as a “Black Lab mix, eight months old” did nothing to explain his past or how magnificent he was. Upon meeting him and being lavished with the most luxurious kisses I desperately wanted to take home this little boy. The women who worked there said his prior owner had to move out of state and couldn't keep him where she was going. Studying his structure I assessed his “mix” was Black Lab and Doberman! I had always wanted a Doberman. They were so regal and elegant.

Passing the character assessment test I helped him eagerly into my car and we sped away from that depressing place where the animals were given numbers not names and if not rescued within a specific time frame met an early demise. Looking at him he reminded me of an Arabian prince so I chose Ali Baba for his name. He seemed pleased with the choice.

It wasn't long before I knew he was a special dog . He seemed to have the ability to deeply understand a situation and what it called for to create harmony. He was a peacekeeper and everyone loved him. He had a spiritual connection that I wished and longed for but couldn't manage at that time in my life. I was always focused on my inner pain and couldn't see beyond it.

As the years went by Ali and I were inseparable. I had no partner and Ali became my animal companion. Everywhere I went he went, too. Life hadn't worked for me up until now and I was unhappy. It seemed that Ali was the only good thing in my life. One morning I grabbed his right front leg to pull him up in bed so I could give him a kiss and he whimpered. “That's strange,” I thought. “ He must have sprained his ankle.” But when the limp wouldn't go away I brought him to the veterinarian who ran an x-ray. “I am sorry to have to tell you this but it looks as if he has bone cancer,” the doctor said pointing to the radiological film. He gave me the options for treatment all of which seemed agonizing and horrible.

Taking my boy home the tears wouldn't stop pouring out of my eyes. My worst fears had come true: the love of my life was going to die if I didn't somehow save his life. I didn't want to put him through chemotherapy or radiation. I had seen a video about the old Hoxsey Clinic in Ti Juana, Mexico. They focused on using natural medicines that complemented the body's defense system such as the herbal tonic Dr. Hoxsey had developed. I arranged a flight to San Diego at the end of the week. Ali would stay with my parents. I brought Ali's records and managed to line up a hotel in San Ysidro and a van ride to the clinic in one of the most dangerous cities in the world.

The Biomedical Clinic, which was the new name of the old Hoxsey Clinic, was primarily a cancer clinic for people but some animals were treated there. It was quite an inspirational place. The staff made sure that the mood for the patients was upbeat and uplifting. You felt happy there. The doctor gave me some of the tonic, a prescription for a Chinese medicine and a few other items. I paid the fee and returned to my hotel to begin the long journey back home. I had met a family of three from Texas on my trip. The father was quite sick. The cancer had spread throughout his body and his family was on their final attempt to save him. None of the traditional treatments had worked. This was the last place on earth to go for help. I felt a deep bond form with them as we all were in a place with no control over the circumstances of our lives. We each felt desperate and alone, but somehow had connected through the pain and incredible fear.

When I returned home my mother had informed me that Ali hadn't eaten anything. My father gave me a book about animals living with cancer. They both felt I was doing the wrong thing. I was sure it was right. But when the tumor kept growing I realized I was going to have his leg amputated . This was a grim reality that terrified me. I had failed at my responsibility of being his guardian. He was an athlete and how he had enjoyed running beside me when I would mountain bike in the woods sometimes for several hours. He loved to swim. How would he function without a front leg?

We went ahead with the surgery and he pulled through well. My mom bought him a special canine swimming vest and he learned to swim without his leg. That day he first went swimming was the happiest day of both our lives! I was so grateful to have my dog alive. The cancer was gone and all was well. He seemed to be his old self again. My prayers had been answered.     

Two months later he had trouble going down stairs and then excruciating pain in his right rear leg. A trip to the doctor revealed the cancer was back and I had come to the decision quite painfully to have him put down. “Put down” is such a lowly way of saying “put out of his misery”. It was actually a “kind gesture of great compassion”. I didn't want him to suffer any more. I loved him so deeply. He was such a good loving boy. He didn't deserve to suffer the way he had. I arranged the day and made Ali a special last supper of broiled salmon. He loved it. He knew it was the end. The doctor came to my house and my father was there for support. I made a special ceremony of candles and crystals and said some special words I had prepared. I sat on the floor with Ali in my arms. I held him and reassured him his suffering would be over soon. The doctor put the needle in his vein and injected the drug slowly. Ali began to pull away from the stinging sensation. I held him and said, “It's time for you to go now. I love you, Ali. Mommy loves you.” Ali began to convulse. His eyes rolled back into his skull and then he drifted off. His tongue slowly came out of his mouth. The doctor wanted to take his body back to be animal hospital to be cremated. But I had to take him myself. He was my dog; I would take him.

My dad helped me carry his body out to the car. We drove the one-car funeral procession silently. Carrying Ali's body inside the back door of the animal hospital the women medical assistants burst into tears, I sobbed, “Take care of my boy. Mommy loves you.” I drove home in a trance. It felt as if he was still with me. I didn't want to be alone so I went to my parents'. Upon entering their house I heard Ali bark ! I also heard his chain collar jingle. What was happening to me? Inside the house someone knocked on the door and I heard him again barking!  

My parents thought I was cracking up. I felt so alone and inconsolable.

That night in the dark Ali's spirit came to me. “I am so grateful to you for releasing me from my painful body,” he said. “ I know how difficult it was for you to not be able to save me. I know how you depended on me for love. But it is time for you to recognize your special gifts. It is time for you to realize your true nature. I had to leave you so you could understand this. Love is not something to hold on to but something to share with everyone. I tried to teach you this while I was alive but you wouldn't listen so I had to get sick and leave my body so you could learn this. I am so grateful to surrender to your love and be able to join the Great Spirit again. This is my great gift to you and my teaching of love. Your life will change now incredibly: don't be afraid. I will always love you. I will always be able to talk with you anytime you wish. I will stay with you five more days and then I will depart this world.”

His luminescent body hovered in front of me and his essence joined mine in divine ecstasy. I understood that my life's purpose had been revealed to me. This painful experience had happened to teach me about love. Ali had been my animal guide from the beginning. He had lovingly held me and opened up an energy portal unselfishly so I could pass through to the next dimension to begin my spiritual ascension. I sat in the darkness completely still having witnessed something completely profound that words could never describe.

Growing as a spiritual being is infinite. I continue to grow and shift each day. I consider it a great honor to be your teacher, your confidant and your  mentor in this realm and the realm of the spirits. I am a conduit for Goodness and Mercy so that you and your animal friend can evolve and grow together and experience greater and greater good. But sometimes it means going within and listening deeply so that you may access the Divine within you. This is your life. Be great!!