As a young girl growing up in Poland, I had many animal teachers. During the years it took me to convince my parents finally to allow me to get a dog or cat of my own, I played pretend by making temporary pets of the slugs I found outside. I was also best friends with all the stray dogs in the neighborhood. They walked with me to and from school, and waited for me at the school gate at exactly the right time each day. They played with all the kids in the playground; they were our constant companions and friends. One dog, Miska, remains in my heart forever. She was an old soul, a mother figure to all of us kids. She mothered us as if we were her own children. I often fed her cookies after school. She would walk home with me, and sit on the doormat, waiting patiently for her treats. She was so wise, so gentle. I could see the gratitude in her eyes; it wasn’t easy being a stray dog in Poland in the 80s. Even people went hungry sometimes in those days. Her eyes spoke volumes and touched me deeply.

One summer she had puppies in a makeshift nest in the courtyard of our building. We were all overjoyed! She let us all play with the pups, cuddle them, and kiss them incessantly. She just watched over us, with pleasure and pride in her eyes. She shared her puppies with us, knowing how much joy they brought to our lives. I understand only now what a tremendous gift it was; how trusting and generous Miska was with us. She disappeared one winter, no one knew where. Maybe a car had hit her, or perhaps she froze to death somewhere outside. To this day it breaks my heart to think about it. She taught me compassion, selflessness and trust. She taught me how much animals can love.

Today I am blessed to share my life with five furry creatures: two dogs, two cats, and a horse. I rescued each one of them: the dogs and kitties from a shelter (where they would have been euthanized, if not adopted), and the horse from certain death – he was a sick foal whose owners were hoping for a healthy racehorse and were not interested in spending money on veterinary bills. These animals all bring tremendous joy to my life.

When I first started meditating, I did not pay any particular attention to the effect it had on my animals. In time, however, I noticed that as I felt more centered and balanced, my animals gained confidence. Any anxiety or fear they may have harbored from their previous lives disappeared. It was replaced by a sense of peace, harmony, and joy. I also realized that they all tended to gravitate towards my meditation room and did not like to miss our meditation sessions. All who meet them mention how well adjusted, friendly, and happy my dogs and cats are. And my horse is always everyone’s favorite at the barn!

Sashi, my cocker spaniel, was a very nervous dog when she first came to live with me. She was anxious and fearful, and had probably been abused by her previous owners. Today she is the model companion: confident, loving, and friendly.

Hot Dog, my "foster" dog, turned "apple of my eye", was initially very submissive and skittish, and was also probably abused by his previous guardians. Today, he is the picture of self-assurance and confidence. He runs the house and demands attention from everyone he encounters.

Dylan and Isis, my two cats, are the most loving, friendly felines I have ever met (and I have met many!). Yet they both had no socialization before I brought them home from the shelter; they were both alley kittens. They are very well mannered and gentle. All four get along fabulously.

My horse, Cinnamon Bear, was the foal everyone, including his owners, gave up on. I was a veterinary student at the time, and he was my assigned patient. I fell in love with him at first sight. He had a very severe case of pneumonia, joint sepsis, and every other disease you can imagine. His immune system was too weak to battle all the pathogens he came into contact with, and the infection was spreading relentlessly throughout his body. When I found out that his owners were going to put him to sleep, I offered to buy him from them. They realized how much I cared about this little horse, and gave him to me, along with his medical bills. I was overjoyed. Yet my fellow students and teachers were convinced no heroic efforts would save him. They warned me he would be permanently crippled, perhaps unable to walk, because of the infection in his joints. His coughing was as bad as we had ever seen; his little legs were swollen and deformed because of the raging infection in his hocks, knees, and stifles. But I refused to give up, and so did he. I meditated every day, visualizing him healthy and happy, running around in a lush pasture with other horses. I sent him love and healing energy every day. I intuitively sensed he was doing his best to get better. Today he is a magnificent stallion, healthy, radiant, and full of light. He horses around in the lush hills of Malibu overlooking the splendor of the Pacific Ocean. He is the picture of perfect health! Love is the essential life force and the ultimate healing energy. And I know it was my love, which I was able to communicate to him, that healed him.

We humans can learn a great deal from our animal friends. They show us patience, unconditional love, how to forgive, play, be in the moment, stay in our hearts, and accept others for who they are.

They are our connection to nature, its rhythms and its vibration. They can be our greatest teachers, if we allow them to.