Xena McBeana

You remember beloved Xena, the severely mistreated dog that Lauren brought into her home -- and mine too.

Dogs are known to live in the present, yet beloved Xena can't seem to let go of her past and fears. Her emotional scars run so deep.

I once saw a Dog Whisperer show with Cesar Millan that featured a cowering dog with his tail between his legs. Cesar put a leash on the dog's tail and held the dog's tail high.  A dog's tail down signifies fear. A dog's tail up signifies courage. With the physical attribute of dog courage imposed by the leash,  the dog got the hang of keeping his tail up, and truly lost his fear and timidity.

Xena's tail is always down. If we tried to put a leash on her tail, she would be terrified.  Cesar, if only you would you come to help us lift Xena's tail and her spirits?

Please do not think there is not progress, there is. Xena may still stay hidden under Lauren's couch pillows or now under Lauren's bed, yet she will also come out more often and walk around the house. But she has to dodge us. If one of us is standing in a room, she will turn back or dash around us, as if her life were at stake.

For instance, when we hold out a tasty tidbit for Xena to eat from our hands, she has to pace back and forth from room to room and rush past us maybe ten times before she dares to so gently accept the food.

Xena will come into my apartment now easily. Yesterday, she spent some time with me in my office. She cannot relax and lie down, but she will stand still and watch me.  She was under my big desk yesterday when I read two Heavenletters™ -- #3010, The Palace of Consciousness and #2989, The Blessings of the Universe -- out loud to her. I swear she was listening. She seemed to know that I was reading something special, and that it was especially for her.  I even felt that she understood.

After reading the Heavenletters, I told Xena how sorry we all were that she had fears. I told her that she had had good reason for her fears, and what had happened should not have happened, and none of it was her fault.  I told her that I do not understand how God could have let anyone hurt her, but that God made sure she was rescued, and now she is to know that no one will ever hurt her again, that she deserves to be loved, and she will always be with people who love her.

On a lighter note, you may remember that Lauren has a cat called Teeny-Weeny, so Lauren also calls Xena Zeeny-Weeny. I am more likely to call Xena Xeeeennnnnnnna very softly, though sometimes I call her Xena McBeana.