Animals

Designing a work of art in memory of an animal

Black & white cat in pensive mode. Pets as teachers.

Often, the animals in our lives are there for a reason, aside from companionship and having fun together. I started seeing them as our teachers and healers, and so I needed to be reminded by one of them (through a reading by Nicole Cimalla) that they have their own embodied nature as for instance a cat or a dog as well.

Once I asked for a teacher in my life. A friendly 14-year-old dog showed up a while later. I adopted him and introduced him into my household that included a few cats and … well, all my unconscious control patterns cheerfully showed up to be noticed and worked at.
In addition, of course, we had fun and it was great to see him enjoy the last 18 months of his life with me.

He was ready to leave his body the day after we moved my mother into a care home. A few months later, when her soul was preparing to leave her body, I was amazed and grateful to notice his lovely presence again on several occasions.

Older dog in a woodland area. A dog as an unexpected teacher.

If you would make a work of art in memory of an animal,
what would it be?

It can be quite wonderful to make something to remember one of your animals by, after they passed on. The process of designing and making a work of art – anything – that reminds you of your animal, is a pleasant way of distilling the wisdom you gained during your time together.
(Yes, of course, you can also do this while she/he is alive …)

Ask yourself some questions:

  • what colours in her/his fur, feathers or skin would you like to use?
  • what colours do you associate with her/his attitude to life (bright enthusiasm, or rather some soothing hues?)
  • what materials would you like to work with (familiar or new), or what materials would suit her/him?
  • would you like to make something wearable like a shawl, something to hang on your wall, a special place in your garden or a design in nature that will fade away in time, or something else?

Just asking yourself such questions can be fun, because you get new insights into what your animal and the time you had together mean to you.

Gonzo

Meaningful design session

If you like, I can support you in this. We can schedule an hour (in 2025) in which we discuss how you might design a work of art in memory of your animal.

You could also consider making a work of art that is meaningful to you in a different way. For instance, something you want to make to conclude a difficult period in your life in a conscious way.

You tell me your story, and together we’ll find out what kind of design would reflect this for you – in whichever material you want to work with.

An online session of one hour – € 88.
My intention is that one session (in English or Dutch) is enough for you to continue on your own.

If the artwork will be about your animal, send me an e-mail at paulien@piodoor.com with:

  • a picture of your animal’s whole body;
  • preferrably a picture of her/his eyes too;
  • her/his name (the one you used daily);
  • the age she/he passed on (or her/his current age).
“Gonzo Dear”, 2006

Telepathy / intuitive communication with animals and nature

Our animals communicate with us, and we can learn to communicate telepathically with them.
Here’s a list of resources and examples that will grow over time.