"George and I were at Hampton Beach yesterday around 6:00 pm at low tide.  Mind you the storm was out to sea so the waves and low tide was farther up than usual.  As were walking looking for treasures I came upon a baby seal washed up on the beach.  Her breathing was labored and intuitively I knew she was on her way.  I knelt down in the sand and water next to her and laid my hands on her.  She knew I was there to help her.  The tide was turning and was washing over her and me, I was soaked.  George and I decided to move her to higher ground and I continued to give her Reiki.  I felt her smooth body under my hands, I felt her warm soft paws, I touched her head and stroked her, soothing her, her head was warm, her eye's were soft and knowing.  As I continued, passer bye's would stop and I told them what I was doing and how important it was for her, that it would aid her in her passing and make it a smoother and less fearful transition.  I could feel the gurgling in her chest and I knew that she had taken in water in her lungs.  There was nothing anyone could have done.  The police had told some others that it probably was just tired because of the storm and was resting.  They never came to look at her which doesn't surprise me.  As I continued, George left to go get the car and bring it closer, it was dark.  There I was on the beach with no one but me and this beautiful young seal.  Shortly after he left I could feel her stop breathing.  I started to cry and asked for more help, I started to rub her and after a minute or longer she gasped for air again.  I believe she was just holding her breath like she would if she was diving.  I really thought she had passed and came back.  After a minute or so she started to stretch.  My hand was with her front fin, caressing it, she caressed back.  She moved her head ever so slightly, stretched again and I felt her let go.  She died right there with me.  I kissed her ever so gently and the whole time I was telling her how it would be to pass on.  I know she was listening because the animal world does hear me.  I sat there next to her and cried and sensed and visioned her meandering her way back to the sea in her spirit body.  I sensed her turning and looking at me before she got to the ocean.  It was totally dark at that time, just me, the fog, the smells, the sand and the voice of the ocean.  At that point I knew what my service is in this lifetime.  The animals need me and  I am to help them pass on to the other side.  This will be part of what I do from now on, for I know it is.  I've had so many animals just be there right when I was there and I didn't know what to do.  Other than to get help.  Now I do. 

George came back and I carried her back to the ocean.  I felt that she came from the sea and she needed to go back to the sea.  The tide was going out and would carry her with it. She could be food for others that were affected by the storm. 

I stood by myself looking out over the vastness and thought about her and her short but I'm sure fulfilled life and thought how really very precious all life is."

                           Susan Carrigan