I’ve received a lot of inquiries about the fur babies and how they’ve been doing while on our long coastal staycation away, so today’s blog post is dedicated to our children who are journeying through life with us and sharing our daily adventures – a way to honor their unique personalities and paths. It is also a small dedication to souls in animal bodies in general, with a couple of other stories interwoven.

I know many people who have lost animal companions over the last couple of years and increasingly are going through health challenges and passings where they are concerned. Their transitions mirror human experiences and rearranging at collective hand. So, I feel it equally as important to share about these souls, since the only difference between us is the body they chose this time around.

For those of you newer here, we have three animal companion soul mates whom we share depth of history with beyond this lifetime – a male black cat named Boojum (about 15 years old), and his two sisters, a smaller black and white female cat named Sweet Pea (also about 15 years old + a bit), and a larger female rabbit named Astrid (who’s about to turn 8 years old in a few days – Hoppy Birthday my beautiful cocreator in life and powerful queen! What a gift you are in more ways than I will ever be able to share.)

We’re grateful that all three of them weather travels as well as they do and although we wouldn’t say they love the long car journeys, they are super troopers with embracing it and brilliant at their resiliency.

We’ve taken them on many a car trip, as of course long vacations away are ones we prefer to have our little family of five all together on. Boojum and Sweet Pea are long haulers in the travel department, as they traveled with us for almost two years in our Magick Bus RV. Their then travel partners were our two rabbits, Joy and Cosmo, making it six journeying across the states together.

Anyway, the kids are doing well here in our little place on the beach. They listen to the waves and sea life outside, take in the fresh coastal air, and enjoy the new smells, sights, and sounds, overall, that the environment has to share. And of course, they partner in the changes Dave and I go through, adding their unique frequencies to the mix.

The space is much smaller than their home and without ownership of spaces, many boundaries get blurred and crossed, so that is something they all adjust to and figure out in a new place. But the space was perfectly set up to make it easy to cat and bunny proof, so that mom and dad can have peace of mind when out on human adventures and while sleeping at night.

Everyone has found their spots and for the most part are engaged in their normal behaviors, as much as possible without all the luxuries of home.

Now and then Sweet Pea will have a boundary blur with Astrid, which is just her thing, as something in her past made her more insecure about herself and especially around other female animals. She is also super attached to Dave so if Astrid comes around when Sweet Pea is with him, she’ll make it clear to Astrid, “Hands off! He’s mine!” She may even throw a human a glare as well in similar cases.

But Boojum and Astrid don’t share the same dynamics. Boojum is more at ease with himself and has always been more engaging with the bunnies. He used to love Joy and you can find him and Astrid touching noses at times. He often follows Astrid and Astrid follows him. There’s almost a sense of tag or playful curiosity between them.

Astrid can jump up on the same chair with him and nothing ensues. With Sweet Pea there’s more deliberate boundary drawing, but luckily there’s never been anything vicious or troublesome other than grunts, charging, and thumping from Astrid, and hisses or a paw swat from Sweet Pea. Neither intends to hurt the other. It’s simply about standing their ground and honestly, Astrid wouldn’t even be doing that if Sweet Pea hadn’t started the ball rolling. I’m glad Astrid is a tough cookie for a rabbit. She establishes being a force to reckon with, but ultimately, that’s her own survival technique she learned from a hard past, too, when met with triggers.

Astrid would like to play and be on fun terms with everyone, but the cats aren’t sure how to engage a rabbit. And Boojum often takes queues from the older Sweet Pea, so he is conflicted at times. Overall, they know Astrid is the Queen and in a way that energy dynamic is hard for Sweet Pea to swallow, as she likes being daddy’s Princess. Having a stronger presence like Astrid plays on Sweet Pea’s insecurities. That said, there are many, many times the two of them can be found sitting just a couple of feet apart in complete peace and truce. You can tell they are communicating and finding their common ground of respect.

Overall, the three of them are peaceful together and you can often find all of them laying around near each other.

Their days are filled with lots of napping here, cradled by the ocean waves on the shore and seagulls calling from the rooftops.

We even have a resident baby seagull that is in process of learning from his parents.

I find the baby seagulls so endearing to watch with their moms and dads here. It’s amazing how big they are – larger than their folks in many cases – but that’s the way of survival for them, to grow fast. It’s funny though to watch these huge babies crying like wee just-hatched birds would in a nest. Their cries are incessant, but I find them super precious and soft to the ear, and every time I hear them continuously crying, my heart melts.

There are many on our beach, but this one little family hangs out near us. Mom has been teaching this one to swim and fly, while baby cries and pouts all the way, saying, “But mom! I’m hungry! I’m hungry!” not realizing he’s organically and innately swimming and flying nonetheless, while his tummy distracts him from figuring out how.

I enjoy watching the juvenile seagulls and often times my heart goes out to them for how challenging it is while they’re growing and trying to fit in. They are also more vulnerable to the bald eagles and in fact the one we saw feasting when we first arrived, across the way on the beach, we later discovered had in fact gotten himself a juvenile seagull. I found his beautiful set of wings on the shore when we biked there, in the place where bald eagle sat the evening before. I honored the life cycles thanking the little one for his gift of life to the eagle’s. There were also a lot of beautiful feathers laying in the sand. I find the juvenile seagulls’ feathers to be exquisite and so varied, in contrast to the three-tone feathers of the adults in black, white, and gray. I was grateful for some of these feathers that both shared the essence of the young seagull and bald eagle merged in the circle of life.

And look what showed up in the sky on the Pisces Full Moon of 9/10.

A winged portal in the sky with seagull flying through it, as Dave spread his own wings to fly.

It’s almost an illuminated heart with angelic wings expanding wide. Can you see it?

It could be an avian being (owl jumps out), dragon, an angel, a star craft, portal, or? There’s a lot of layered images as well and more than one being.

I see a lot in it, including a star right below the Sun on a staff.

And then the day after the Pisces Full Moon and this sky portal, 9/11 brought me another profound experience and interspecies exchange – again with sea lion.

We’ve come to learn that where we’re staying happens to be in the middle of a colony of harbor seals to the left and a colony of sea lions to the right. We went on our long over 5 mile walk down the beach yesterday and about five minutes into it we heard a slap on the water. We turned and saw a sea lion swimming in circles and each time he went down he continued to slap the water over and over with either his front flipper or with both back flippers, like a whale’s tail smacking the water. I told Dave we should stop and watch and he continued for a couple of minutes then stopped and disappeared. I said to Dave, “He wanted to get our attention about something.”

I learned about 15 minutes later what that was. We suddenly saw a sealion in the crashing waves, very close to shore. It was unusual for one to hang out so close and be in the very rough waves like that. Then I saw something long and rectangular stuck to the side of his head. At first I thought it was something stuck in his head, then convinced myself it was a fish he’d caught that I just saw quickly and misinterpreted. He went down in the waves. We saw three other people stopped and looking too and so we got closer and after a minute he popped back up and I saw the shape again and now could make out some line around his neck. He was caught in something and struggling.

Oh, no. Here we go again I thought. I turned to Dave and said, “This is what the sea lion was trying to get our attention for. He was trying to communicate that help was needed and to stay alert.” He knew I’d understand.

Long story short, as this post is mostly meant to be about our fur babies, however all of the animal world I feel to be my children, we knew the sea lion was in trouble. We talked to the man who was standing watching with two women who said he could tell it was some kind of fishing apparatus that he’d gotten stuck in. He said he had tried to walk toward him when the sea lion came closer to shore, but the sea lion would then back off, feeling afraid. I told him I could see a line around his neck, along with the larger piece stuck to his side, which no one else was able to see clearly like me.

We all stood watching, helpless and concerned. I felt many things flow within me, knowing the sad suffering this being was going through and of course also understanding something else bigger was in motion here beyond my feelings. I immediately started doing energy work, as we talked about what to do. I said we need to call for help. Dave reminded me that the other ranger said they let nature take its course, but I tried my cell. I had no reception and battery was about to die soon. There was only one other woman now with us and the man and she said her phone worked so she called 911 and they ended up sending a trooper out that was in the area. As we waited, I continued sending very directed energy and a call for help, and then we saw a smaller sea lion appear. I felt like this one had come to be with and try to help the larger one. Then they both disappeared and we never saw them again. The trooper did show up within about 15 minutes and looked for the sea lion, but he was gone.

I continued tuning in and hoping, sending energy and will continue to. About 10 minutes after we had left the man and woman to continue walking, I found an incredible and largest agate to date, which was followed by another abundance of crystalline gifts that equaled the other groups I already shared finding.

Of this group, these were the largest finds.

This large agate, however, had the sea lion’s essence and some of his coloring, and felt directly connected to him.

These agates and the, now third (a death, a transitioning, and an injury with potential fatal outcome), sea lion encounter all came through the Pisces Full Moon energies. It was all bitter sweet.

This all reminds me of something a cosmic soul friend shared with me recently about one of our star connections – finding soul family in dead bodies, supporting peaceful and safe passage between worlds for them, and sometimes being at the right place and time to keep them safe, carrying forth their messages, or helping them through portals. We’ve had a lot of similar animals around us recently and especially snakes. She said, “We are vultures in a way I think. Shepherds for all kinds of transitions beyond the death one.” That resonated deeply and put a clarity spin on things that made sense to me energetically. It also gave me a vision of being bridges of transmutation – a message continuing from my last blog post.

This is something that our animal companions are also involved in with us, as they experience everything through us – especially Astrid who assists me and feels all that I do since we’re connected as one.

I’ve been learning a lot about sea life in intimate ways here while we immerse so fully. As I write this, our baby seagull friend has finally moved to the next stage of more time on his own. The seagull family – mom, dad, and baby – started to make the rooftop by us, their safe spot. Somehow he’s come to know my voice and is sitting on the rooftop across where I am on the deck. Mom and dad will leave baby there to go off hunting. I talk to him and it seems to comfort him from crying out. I feel like a surrogate mom and of course I’ve been surrounding him with protective strength and love for his growing process.

We also feel like we’ve become locals with all the things we’ve learned about the area we’re in and how the people here have embraced us. We’ve made a few sweet friends, which has been a nice surprise. They have become familiar with Boojum because he likes to sit in the window and meow at everyone.

Plus, they get a kick out of seeing Dave take him on short walks in harness and leash on the deck, driveway, and little path to the beach – something many of them have never seen before.

In fact, when they find out about our little traveling family, they’re in awe of how we do it. Not to mention, are floored by our Brady bunch being made up of cats and a free roaming rabbit. It changes people’s perspectives about what is possible and they are fascinated to be educated on the ability of rabbits to be more than some animal you cage.

Here’s Mr. B, as we often call him when we don’t want him knowing we’re talking about him, on one of his beach adventures with dad. He only goes as far as the pebbles, not interested in the sand or the water beyond it.

Check out that violet “x marks the spot” energy at the base of the driftwood log under Dave.

Sweet Pea doesn’t care at all for this, but Boojum is quite proud to wear his little harness vest.

Actually, anything you throw over his back, he loves. We often put a shirt, sock, towel…you name it, draped over his back and he walks around proudly with it.

We even saw a Boojum flag while kayaking one day.

It was just placed on the shoreline and waved confidently in the wind…much like Boojum proudly waves his tail when showing off his attire or when he returns from his walk and prances around the house with his harness on like a badge of honor.

Boojum is quite a character and has many vocalizations. He also has a mind of his own,

Sweet Pea’s much more of a home body and doesn’t like change quite as much.

She loves to lay curled up in one place, whether at home or abroad. You can find her curled up on the bed for the majority of the day here, but recently started cocooning in her mini pocket we brought with us.

This behavior has earned her the name “Pocket Princess” over time.

I tried giving her a new roomy, plush bed our friend Lynne got her, but so far it’s our bed or the pocket cocoon. Change isn’t easy for her. Boojum, on the other hand, likes variety.

Sweet Pea does have a sneaky side though, so don’t let her name fool you.

Poor sweetie went through stuff in her past (just as Astrid and Boojum have) before us that made her grow into being much like many of us learn how to be….to push things down and repress them. And unlike Boojum who loves to push everyone’s buttons and be a brat when he pleases, she’s very docile and doesn’t like to do anything wrong. At least not in front of your face and definitely not to us…Boojum is a whole other story.

That said, because she pushes things down, they eventually will crop up! Her brother likes to play-attack her, then is surprised when she fights back. He’ll go off crying like a baby to tattle on her, after instigating things.

Sweet Pea can also suddenly just decide enough is enough. After a month of build up from dealing with brother Boojum’s antics, she’ll just walk by him and smack the heck out of him for no reason, even when he’s sleeping and peaceful.

“Remember that one day a month ago when you bugged the heck out of me? Well, that’s what that’s for!” So, she has a bit of dad’s Scorpio stinger for sure.

Not the healthiest thing – to save up her frustrations – and so she definitely is a good reminder that moving energy, communicating, and self expression is always a good thing to do in the moment. She does feel bad later, if we give her a stern talking to, and listens and processes.

Boojum, on the other hand, has no remorse and also no recall or memory in terms of his reprimands.

Both Boojum and Sweet Pea like to steal Astrid’s orchard hay, but Boojum does it out in the open and Sweet Pea only does it when she thinks I’m not looking or around.

Both cats do love Reiki and being around me when I have taught it in the past. But Sweet Pea is the intuitive one and knows when you need some healing and will give it. She’s very discerning about people and shies away until comfortable. She’s also very much like a Mother Goose or Grandmother, who mothers everyone and has strict ideas for what we should all be sticking to. Boojum is the forever wild child who will never grow up, and LOVES attention. He’s much more like a dog than a cat.

I’ve often said, Sweet Pea is a healer cat with complex understanding. You can always see her processing things with her facial expressions and thoughtful eyes.

Boojum came here for the sensual enjoyment of life and just being and taking in everything he possibly can on all physical levels of experience.

He has a black stuffed bear named Humpty Bear that he of course likes humping…many times a day and in the most hilarious ways, despite being fixed. Sweet Pea and Astrid roll their eyes during the show. Astrid sometimes tries to attack Humpty Bear. Poor Humpty Bear has been through the ringer though. I sewed him up many times. He’s become somewhat of a Velveteen Bear and finally we decided to try to transition him to a new friend, Humpty Bun, we found at Good Will here. So far, there’s been little interest other than laying with her.

Both cats know I’m the disciplinary parent. Dave is the softy. That said, they respect me and we have a healthy relationship of their trusting my judgment and knowing they’re safe with me. They also know I draw lines where dad doesn’t. This fact has actually been a life saver, as Boojum can be an escape artist. But anytime he has gotten out and I’m nearby, once he hears my stern voice call his name and tell him to come, he stops in his tracks and either runs back inside, or stops and sits, awaiting me to pick him up. The funny thing is, his escapes happen when Dave opens a door. LOL! If I’m by a door 99% of the time, that just doesn’t happen. And the 1% it has, with just a stern call of his name, he doubles back inside. With Dave, he takes off and doesn’t listen.

Boojum is a momma’s boy and you’ll always find him cuddled up next to me on the couch, especially in the morning at breakfast time.

He loves for me to pick him up and swing him over my shoulder like a baby. He’ll hang there for long periods and enjoys me taking him along on my chores, while he lays slumped over me. He also loves me to pat him on the bum while doing so. I won’t even go into the goo-goo eyes he eerily stares at me with constantly. It makes us laugh, as he gets mesmerized by my whispering and singing to him.

Sweet Pea is a daddy’s girl and likes to take naps with him during the day. She’s attached to dad’s hip and back home follows him around every where. If he gets up, she is right behind him without missing a beat, and won’t rest until she knows exactly where he’s going. It can be a bit challenging for Dave to work on his computer, as she will march right over the keyboard, trying to help.

But when the lights go out at night, both cats like to curl up around me. Sweet Pea will start off with dad when the lights are on, but soon as it’s dark, she’s by my side.

Here by the ocean, she just starts off with me from the get-go and stays by my side all night.

And then there’s Astrid.

The ocean air seems to have induced another round of shedding when we arrived here, even though she had already gone through that back home before we left. She seems to finally be completing that cycle and I feel it mirroring my own layered transformation by the ocean, so beautifully and powerfully reflected by the experiences here and especially my snake brothers and sisters and the shadow and death ripples through my soul.

That suddenly took me on a little Egyptian detour of energies flowing through, and of course Astrid chimes in with her Sphinx pose, maintaining her regal stature regardless of being away from her kingdom.

Although I know she misses her Queenly Wonderland realm back home with her castles and towers overlooking the Forest Portal enchanted garden, and all the routines she has there, what I love about our travels together is that with each journey, she expands a little bit more.

She softens in more and more snuggly behaviors, cherishes and wants lots of family time, and becomes more comfortable in trying new things that stretch her learned conditioning.

This trip it’s been about becoming a chair queen and couch bun. She especially loves this when I wake early in the morning and sit on the couch to work on my computer. She first started it off with jumping onto the armchair right next to me.

She will stretch over to say hi and make sure to nudge me into knowing she’s ready to tune in too. Then, she sits regally and goes into trance, becoming the queen on the throne that she is. She LOVES being two queens sitting together, side by side, when all else is quiet and we have the vastness to ourselves.

She then moved into jumping over the arm of the chair onto the couch. She has done this at home, but just jumps up, explores, and jumps back down. She hasn’t felt safe to just stay there above the ground she feels most secure on.

But now she not only jumps on the couch and explores, but deliberately jumps up to sit and lay next to me. She’s also jumped up while Boojum is next to me and the two of them both lay by my side. And she loves it when it’s the two of us and she’ll lay by me while I caress her with one hand and type with the other.

In the evening, she jumps up with both Dave and I and will move between us, hanging out while we pet her and feeling safe to stay for long periods during movie time. She then, of course, loves when Dave has morning and evening stretching and yoga time on the mat, and joins him on the mat for some down bunny and love. Hehe!

It’s all too much preciousness, my heart explodes.

Astrid likes to wait for me in certain spots, to return, when she knows we’re going out for our day adventures and loves when I show her the crystalline treasures I find.

As soon as I got back after this recent sea lion encounter, I could tell Astrid already knew. She had the look and comforted me when I came over to tell her about it. I pulled out the large agate connected to the sea lion and she immediately went into trance, taking it in. My little harp seal could feel the whole story. I placed the agate on her third eye and she was calm, as she tuned in.

And she stayed that way until I removed it myself. She and I will be connecting with the sea lion and doing all we can to support the process and what is his higher self’s path with this.

Astrid is such a crystal healer.

She also really loves mom’s faery star pendant with moldavite. I placed it on her third eye one day and she left it there without shaking it off or moving.

Back home, Astrid and I spend a lot of time together in our Wonderland realm surrounded with crystal beings. She loves to lay at my feet under my desk and be a part of everything I do. She comes when you call her name and loves to be chased, as she zips around and hops and twists high with glee. Most of the time, she just loves long snuggles and kisses from both mom and dad and comes around asking for it.

And in general, on travels there’s just a lot more togetherness that happens. Even Boojum and Sweet Pea who mostly enjoy their own solo space with random times together, find themselves drawn to be closer on a daily basis when home boundaries aren’t present.

The shift in dynamics is sweet to watch, as our family unit seems to bond deeper on travels and becomes enriched through the changes we all share, support, and embrace together.

Can you spot Astrid through her maze portal doorway while her sister and brother nap on the chair? A triad of harmony.

It’s truly an honor and joy to be riding the waves with this bunch. It’s not always easy for any of us, but together we are more powerful and together we are making the impossible possible.