104 year old Tortoise Talks About His Life

As an Animal Communicator, I love communicating telepathically with all species. I generally speak to pets like dogs, cats, horses, and rabbits, so it's a special treat to talk with less common pets, like Grandpa the Tortoise.

 

Grandpa dining on hibiscus

At 104 years old, Grandpa is the oldest animal and living being I've ever spoken with. From what I discovered from a brief search on the internet, Grandpa might be one of the oldest living desert tortoises in the world. 

Grandpa has lived with his current person since she was born. Grandpa explained that he raised his person, Carolyn. Carolyn's mom got Grandpa when he was a just a baby. Carolyn "inherited" him when her mom passed away and has known him for 60 years.

Carolyn asked me to talk with Grandpa so she could get answers to some of her questions. She wanted to know how Grandpa was feeling and what, if anything, she could do to make him a happier tortoise.

Despite his grand stature, Grandpa only weighs 9.9 pounds. He enjoys sitting Carolyn's lap where he says he feels comfortable and safe. So Grandpa sat on Carolyn's lap while I interpreted his thoughts, feelings, and viewpoints.

When I began communicating with Grandpa, I mistakenly referred to him as a turtle. Grandpa was indignant and made it crystal clear that he's not a turtle. So I asked him what the difference was. He said he's not into swimming or spending time in water except to drink. As a tortoise, he explained, he's strictly an earth dweller.

After our talk, I googled the difference between a turtle and tortoise. Grandpa was 100% correct. Tortoises dwell on land only. Turtles, on the other hand, need to live in water, at least some of the time.

Grandpa

The more I listened to Grandpa, the more I found him to be a wise, grounded and loving spirit. He enjoys being gently massaged by Carolyn when he sits on her lap. He also enjoys following her around the yard and house.

I was taken aback by his wisdom, kindness and his detailed memory. I have to admit I developed a bit of a "crush" on him the more I got to know him. I particularly enjoyed his sense of humor.

Grandpa is also stubborn and determined. Like the time he wanted to come into the house, and no one was around to let him in. Grandpa took matters into his own hands and decided to let himself in by breaking through the screen the door, not once, but twice! 

Grandpa asked Carolyn for a "tortoise door" so he can come and go at his leisure. Carolyn felt adding a door was an easy solution to bring him happiness. Grandpa is one lucky Tortoise!

Grandpa loves apricots.

Before Carolyn could ask Grandpa what his favorite food was, I heard Grandpa declare that "Apricots are my most favorite food in the whole world!" He continued to say that Carolyn wasn't giving him enough of them.  Carolyn promised to get him apricots as soon as we were done talking. That made him very happy!

Tortoises brumate (hibernation for tortoises) during the winter months. Given that Grandpa lives in Northern California, it's an ongoing challenge to find an appropriate space that remains cold enough to support his brumation. 

Grandpa felt the garage, in years past, wasn't consistently cold enough. He also said he didn't want to brumate in a refrigerator, which apparently some people do with their tortoises. Carolyn laughed out loud when I told her this. We reassured Grandpa that no one would ever put him in a wine cooler!

Grandpa asked if he can brumate behind the toilet this year instead of the garage because the temperature in the bathroom is more consistent. Carolyn felt this was another easy request to fulfill. She's planning on posting a sign in the bathroom warning people of Grandpa's presence so as not to startle him out of his deep slumber. 

Grandpa's cats, Mel and Mick

Grandpa shares his home with two cats, Mel, an orange tabby and Mick, who is orange and white. The cats are cousins who grew up with Grandpa. According to Mel and Mick, they don't mind Grandpa, except on the rare occasions when he urinates in the house. The cats can't stand the smell of reptile urine--it's nasty. Carolyn couldn't disagree with her cats.  Other than that, Mel and Mick feel Grandpa is a pretty cool and don't know life without him.

According to Grandpa, he still has many more adventures to experience and apricots to eat. He's a contented and healthy Tortoise who plans on living for many more years to come. Given a few Giant tortoises have lived to be 150, Grandpa could end up being the oldest living tortoise in the world.

What Is Animal Reiki?

Me offering Reiki to Bodhi

Reiki (pronounced "ray-key") is a Japanese energy healing technique that promotes relaxation, stress-reduction and inner healing.

 

For many years, it was thought that Reiki only helped people. We now know that Reiki is effective in helping animals, including your pets, wildlife and farm animals.

The main difference between Reiki for humans and Animal Reiki is in how it's offered.

Hand positions are emphasized when offering Reiki to people. With Animal Reiki, hand positions aren't important. Why? Because animals don't have hands. 

Human hands can be scary and intimidating to animals. This is especially true for pets, farm animals and wildlife who aren't comfortable being touched.

From the time I was a teenager, I've studied many different healing techniques for both humans and animals, including Healing Touch for Animals, animal massage, T-Touch and acupressure.  The main problem I experienced with these modalities was their emphasis and focus on using my hands in various positions when working with an animal.

As I practiced these various techniques, many animals communicated to me that they preferred not to be touched.

Raindance spit at me

Many years ago, a llama spit at me because I had no idea what to do with my hands except wave them around aimlessly. By spitting at me, the llama told me he didn't like or trust hands because he doesn't have any.

The dolphins shared the same message with me. When I was able to swim with them, they were clear that I needed to keep my hands to myself because they frightened them. Plus touching dolphins can leave bacteria on their skin that can kill them.

The dolphins and the llama taught me to keep my hands to myself. To this day, I'm grateful for their lessons as it taught me how to send Reiki from a distance. 

In my experience, many animals prefer to receive Reiki from a distance, meaning there is no physical contact between me and the animal. Of course, if an animal initiates touch and contact during a Reiki treatment, it's an animal's way of giving permission to be touched. 

When I began practicing Animal Reiki, it freed me from using my hands. I immediately saw how animals intuitively recognized and responded to Reiki without any physical contact. It was clear they enjoyed receiving Reiki.

Animals are always in charge of how much Reiki they wish to receive and whether they want to be touched or not. Animals receive this "Spiritual Energy" much like the waves in the ocean, with ebbs and flows.

Reiki helped Bella

Bella, the Springer Spaniel, recently had surgery to remove a couple of tumors from her back and subsequent ear infection. The day before her surgery, I communicated with Bella and offered her Reiki, which helped her relax and prepare. I then offered Bella Reiki the day after surgery to help her heal. Her person related that Bella was calmer than usual going to the vet and was recovering well. Bella said that she felt better because of the communication and Reiki.

 

Offering animals Reiki is a win-win for all involved. From an animal's perspective, the best part about Reiki is they don't need to leave home to receive it. 

 

When your pet feels better and more relaxed so do you!

**Animal Reiki and Animal Communication are never a substitute for veterinary care.
 If your animal is not well, contact your veterinarian immediately.

How Animal Reiki Works

Me offering Reiki to Bodhi

Energy healing techniques, like Animal Reiki, work by releasing energetic blockages in an animal’s entire being.

Blocked energy creates imbalances, which can lead to illness and disease. 

By definition, Reiki is holistic in nature as it can effect an animal's entire being: mind, body, emotions and spirit. However, it is not a massage because you don't need to touch or be physically present with an animal to offer them Reiki.

Animal Reiki brings about a deep relaxation response which allows the body to gently release blocked energy. When an animal's energy is unblocked and balanced, it leads to increased wellness and happiness for your pet and you!

Reiki unblocks stagnate energy to bring about balance or homeostasis in your pet.

In my experience, animals are intuitively drawn to the peaceful and calm energy that Reiki creates. Animals consistently communicate to me that this loving, compassionate energy is one of the main reasons they love receiving Reiki.

Animals instinctively know and understand Reiki's ability to help them heal themselves. 

Me with Kathleen Prasad

According to my Animal Reiki Teacher, Kathleen Prasad:
"Animal Reiki is a spiritual practice of compassion for all beings. In a nutshell, "doing" Reiki for animals simply means learning to meditate with your animals. The practices of Reiki help us navigate our life's challenges with grace and surrender while we to learn to listen to and be present for others in a compassionate space. Compassion is the ultimate healer."

The more I practice Reiki, the more I feel at peace and balanced within myself. My daily practice continues to change me in ways I never thought possible including transforming how I communicate telepathically with all species, including people!

Through Reiki, I am able to connect with animals at a deep energetic level, which increases my intuition and telepathic abilities to hear what's on their minds and in their hearts.

By opening my heart, my Reiki practice continues to strengthen my bond with myself, my pets, wildlife and the world around me.