INSPIRING ANIMAL STORIES

When he was a small boy, he had loved butterflies. Oh, not to net and
mount them, but to wonder at them and their habits.

Now a grown man with his first son to be born in a few weeks, he found
himself once again fascinated with a cocoon. He had found it at the side
of the park path. Somehow the twig had been knocked from the tree and
the cocoon had survived undamaged and still woven to the branch.

As he had seen his mother do, he gently protected it by wrapping it in
his handkerchief and carried it home. The cocoon found a temporary home
in a wide-top mason jar with holes in the lid. The jar was placed on the
mantle for easy viewing and protection from their curious cat who would
delight in volleying the sticky silk between her paws.

The man watched. His wife's interest lasted only a moment, but he studied
the silky envelope. Almost imperceptibly at first, the cocoon moved. He
watched more closely and soon the cocoon was trembling with activity.
Nothing else happened. The cocoon remained tightly glued to the twig and
there was no sign of wings.

Finally the shaking became so intense, the man thought the butterfly would
die from the struggle. He removed the lid on the jar, took a sharp pen
knife from his desk drawer, and carefully made a tiny slit in the side
of the cocoon. Almost immediately, one wing appeared and then outstretched
the other. The butterfly was free!

It seemed to enjoy its freedom and walked along the edge of the mason jar
and along the edge of the mantle. But it didn't fly. At first the man
thought the wings needed time to dry, but time passed and still the
butterfly did not take off.

The man was worried and called up his neighbor who taught
science. He told the neighbor how he had found the cocoon, placed it in
the mason jar, and the terrible trembling as the butterfly struggled to
get out. When he described how he had carefully made a small slit in the
cocoon, the teacher stopped him. "Oh, that is the reason. You see, the
struggle is what gives the butterfly the strength to fly."

And so it is with us. Sometimes it's the struggles in life that strengthen
us the most.

Author Unknown

The piece presented here was signed "Author Unknown". If anyone reading this lens knows of the owner or copyright holder of this wonderful story, please contact me with the information. Thank-you.

2/17/04 ~ Dear family & friends ~
I feel I have been blessed with more than a handful of special paintings in my career as an artist. The highest echelon of these creations are born when serendipitous occurrences take place. These events confirm to me that I am exactly where I am meant to be. This is the story of one of my newest depictions where I feel divine intervention came into play. For several weeks prior to this, I had been concentrating on painting owls. Coincidentally, I had seen Terri's picture and article in the local paper and it inspired me to produce a watercolor that tried to capture the power of that occasion. This letter was written by Terri Loy. She is a woman of Native American ancestry, to whom this piece now belongs. She works at a local wildlife refuge, Cedar Run. I hope you don't think I'm bragging. We believe" this is a story with such "magic" that it should not be kept to ourselves.

~ Sandy Sandy
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On January 22, 2004 Terri Loy wrote this e-mail to her friends & family:

Because you are family in one sense or another......................You will permit me to boast!
I had a surprise at my mailbox earlier this morning! It brought me to tears. It is incredible and I am truly touched and honored by it. It was a note from a new person in my life who happens to be friends with Sandy Sandy. For those of you who are not familiar with Sandy Sandy, she is a truly gifted artist of watercolor. I believe she is blessed with great spiritual vision that flows through her physical being onto her paper. Before I tell the surprise, you must hear the story. For every picture holds a story to be told.

A large female Great Horned Owl came to the rehab unit at the refuge in the fall of 2002. She was diagnosed with a severe case of West Nile Virus. She was not expected to survive. After months of supportive care by the caring staff of the rehab, the owl was transferred to a secluded outdoor unit to begin the process of reentering her wild world while taking a little more time for a full recovery. I paid particular attention (as if I don't with all the raptors :) to this owl because of Ed. He really took to this owl because it was a "Miracle" that she survived. She came to be known as Miracle. We were all astounded by her remarkable recovery. As time went on, a set back was recognized. The rehab unit found Miracle to be neurological. The virus while running its course has a tendency to affect the brain. This was so for Miracle. She displayed the head ticks, "crazy eyes," being unbalanced in posture and motions along with other indications. This deemed her unreleaseable. She now would live a life of captivity with the other GHOs.

Again, her life took a turn in the summer of 2003. As I toured school children and others through our wildlife unit, I recognized that Miracle's behavior was changing. I watched as summer became fall. I was intrigued that Miracle had great accuracy in her landings after short flights. She also was the queen of the roost. These observations were of those when one watches a bird in the wild not of one who suffers from a condition. I took my beliefs to the rehab. They immediately placed her in the flight cage to test her flight and hunting capabilities. Wow! A bird who came out of a neurological condition was another miracle! And so, for me, as I would suppose for all those who cared for her...by December with a plan for release, the owl came to be known as the "Miracle at Christmas."

On December 13, 2003, Jeanne and I headed into Mt. Laurel (the owl's original homeland) to release Miracle. I was asked to go for the folks who found her had requested my presence. I had done a program with them the previous year. Again, what a honor to be remembered and requested by the children of whom I hope to plant seeds amongst. How could I not drive from the shore early on a Sat. morning to fulfill the wishes of the little folks? And our lovely Jeanne, as she will do, invited Dave Borelli who is a photographer for the local paper, the "Central Record" to take photos of the release. (Yes, I am not fond of my mug being photographed, but in this case Jeanne is given my thanks for this special surprise would never have happened.)

Two nice photos ran in the Central Record on Jan. 1, 2004. A beautiful shot of Miracle perched in a tree after the release and another of my mug releasing her. Dave captured the moment that Miracle had me feel how powerful she was. When I took her from the crate, she was facing me. I wanted to turn her around so that when I cast her skyward, she would be directed to fly towards the trees for a safe landing. Well that bird opened her wings and I felt her power. I decided not to risk losing her while trying to turn her around in my hands. I decided to heave her over my shoulders, praying that I would not end up with talons in the face as I let her go. Miracle's flight was fantastic! She swayed and swooped amongst the tree edge through the small clearing. Of course she didn't go where I expected her to, however it was a fantastic release!

Sandy has painted the moment of power. I can't help it...I want to share "Lifting Miracle Free". (as I call it). I am anxious to see Sandy and just hug her for capturing that moment in such beauty and spirit. I must wait a week for Sandy left this morning on a visit to her parents in Florida.

Yes, you are permitted to kick me for showing off a little. Hey, I am only human!
I can hear some of you...I know I'll be kicked!
Terri Loy
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While I was in Florida, Janet-Jackson Gould, the director of the wildlife refuge contacted my husband Jerry and expressed her desire and that of the refuge's owner, Jeanne Woodford to purchase the piece for Terri. "She's such a positive influence and has done so much for us here at Cedar Run over the years, this would be a perfect token of our appreciation to her"; Janet said. Shortly after I arrived home, the deal was sealed. As I understand it, it was quite an emotional surprise presentation for all involved! I only wish I could have been a "fly on the wall" for that one! The day after she received the painting, Terri surprised me by showing up at my studio, her new acquisition and this letter in hand, accompanied by my friend Janis Lengyel and her neighbor, a new drum circle friend, Lou Ketcik. We all talked like old friends for a couple of hours about animals, birds, spirit, miracles and destiny. All too soon, the visit was over. I was not able to focus the rest of the day; other than on all the "Miracles" that I have been so generously blessed with.

Wishing you all love & abundance always,
Aho ~ Sandy Sandy

A brother and sister had made their usual hurried, obligatory
pre-Christmas visit to the little farm where dwelt their elderly
parents with their small herd of horses. The farm was where they had
grown up and had been named Lone Pine Farm because of the huge pine,
which topped the hill behind the farm. Through the years the tree had
become a talisman to the old man and his wife, and a landmark in the
countryside. The young siblings had fond memories of their childhood
here, but the city hustle and bustle added more excitement to their
lives, and called them away to a different life.

The old folks no longer showed their horses, for the years had taken
their toll, and getting out to the barn on those frosty mornings was
getting harder, but it gave them a reason to get up in the mornings and
a reason to live. They sold a few foals each year, and the horses were
their reason for joy in the morning and contentment at day's end.

Angry, as they prepared to leave, the young couple confronted the old
folks "Why do you not at least dispose of 'The Old One'. She is no
longer of use to you. It's been years since you've had foals from her.
You should cut corners and save so you can have more for yourselves.
How can this old worn out horse bring you anything but expense and
work? Why do you keep her anyway?"

The old man looked down at his worn boots, holes in the toes, scuffed
at the barn floor and replied, " Yes, I could use a pair of new boots".

His arm slid defensively about the Old One's neck as he drew her near
with gentle caressing he rubbed her softly behind her ears. He replied
softly, "We keep her because of love. Nothing else, just love."

Baffled and irritated, the young folks wished the old man and his wife
a Merry Christmas and headed back toward the city as darkness stole
through the valley.

The old couple shook their heads in sorrow that it had not been a happy
visit. A tear fell upon their cheeks. How is it that these young folks
do not understand the peace of the love that filled their hearts?

So it was, that because of the unhappy leave-taking, no one noticed the
insulation smoldering on the frayed wires in the old barn. None saw the
first spark fall. None but the "Old One".

In a matter of minutes, the whole barn was ablaze and the hungry flames
were licking at the loft full of hay. With a cry of horror and despair,
the old man shouted to his wife to call for help as he raced to the
barn to save their beloved horses. But the flames were roaring now, and
the blazing heat drove him back. He sank sobbing to the ground,
helpless before the fire's fury. His wife back from calling for help
cradled him in her arms, clinging to each other, they wept at their
loss.

By the time the fire department arrived, only smoking, glowing ruins
were left, and the old man and his wife, exhausted from their grief,
huddled together before the barn. They were speechless as they rose
from the cold snow covered ground. They nodded thanks to the firemen as
there was nothing anyone could do now. The old man turned to his wife,
resting her white head upon his shoulders as his shaking old hands
clumsily dried her tears with a frayed red bandana. Brokenly he
whispered, "We have lost much, but God has spared our home on this eve
of Christmas. Let us gather strength and climb the hill to the old pine
where we have sought comfort in times of despair. We will look down
upon our home and give thanks to God that it has been spared and pray
for our beloved most precious gifts that have been taken from us.

And so, he took her by the hand and slowly helped her up the snowy hill
as he brushed aside his own tears with the back of his old and withered
hand.

The journey up the hill was hard for their old bodies in the steep
snow. As they stepped over the little knoll at the crest of the hill,
they paused to rest, looking up to the top of the hill the old couple
gasped and fell to their knees in amazement at the incredible beauty
before them.

Seemingly, every glorious, brilliant star in the heavens was caught up
in the glittering, snow-frosted branches of their beloved pine, and it
was aglow with heavenly candles. And poised on its top most bough, a
crystal crescent moon glistened like spun glass. Never had a mere
mortal created a Christmas tree such as this. They were breathless as
the old man held his wife tighter in his arms.

Suddenly, the old man gave a cry of wonder and incredible joy. Amazed
and mystified, he took his wife by the hand and pulled her forward.
There, beneath the tree, in resplendent glory, a mist hovering over and
glowing in the darkness was their Christmas gift. Shadows glistening in
the night light.

Bedded down about the "Old one" close to the trunk of the tree, was the
entire herd, safe.

At the first hint of smoke, she had pushed the door ajar with her
muzzle and had led the horses through it. Slowly and with great
dignity, never looking back, she had led them up the hill, stepping
cautiously through the snow. The foals were frightened and dashed
about. The skittish yearlings looked back at the crackling, hungry
flames, and tucked their tails under them as they licked their lips and
hopped like rabbits. The mares that were in foal with a new years crop
of babies, pressed uneasily against the "Old One" as she moved calmly
up the hill and to safety beneath the pine. And now she lay among them
and gazed at the faces of the old man and his wife.

Those she loved she had not disappointed. Her body was brittle with
years, tired from the climb, but the golden eyes were filled with
devotion as she offered her gift--
Because of love. Only Because of love.
Tears flowed as the old couple shouted their praise and joy... And
again the peace of love filled their hearts.

This is a true story by Willy Eagle.

A Gift From Spirit

On the morning of March 23, 2007, I went outside to take care of my animals and found two large matching deer antler sheds laying side by side on the ground. They looked as if they were placed there most deliberately, like they had fallen off the way they had grown. All day, I tried to think what the sign may mean, but couldn't come up with any conclusions. That afternoon I got bucked off my horse in the forest and took my first ever ambulance ride. I broke the head off my humerus of my left arm. There were many small fragments and the doctors were afraid I was going to need surgery. With nothing but time on my hands, I got to work and meditated several times a day on positive healing energy, envisioning the fragments getting sticky and attaching to the bone. I often meditated while focusing on the deer antlers I had been gifted. My accident provided a great revelation to me and has confirmed my perceptions of animal spirits and my path in life. I now see how important it was to slow down and listen to spirit's whisper in order to grow and evolve. The evidence of divine guidance presented by the antler sheds was confirmed by other factors too. They were found on the East side of my property, symbolizing new beginnings. They were facing North which represents wisdom. The number two represents patience. As in all antlered species, the deer's rack is symbolic of antennae which provide heightened perceptions and connections to the divine. It was not until my healing got under way that I could see this experience as the powerful gift from spirit and the incredible and validating Universal Guidance that is was. ~ Sandy Sandy Spiritartist

See more about animal symbolism on my lens,
Eight Ways Animal Spirits Teach Us About Life