It’s Thanksgiving Eve, and the aroma of the old-fashioned pumpkin pie as it bakes is heavenly.

As we all know, Thanksgiving is a holiday that traditionally involves physically gathering with friends and family, and the celebration of abundance in the form of good things to eat.

Earlier in the day, as I completed tasks in preparation for tomorrow’s Thanksgiving feast with my friends, I decided to make sure that my local wildlife friends were included.

But before I could get started I noticed that one of the neighbor chickens had escaped the yard and was frantically trying to figure out how to get back in. A woman walking her dog had stopped and was trying to help by opening the gate, but Madame Chicken was not willing to get anywhere near the dog. They left, and I decided to see if Madame Chicken would trust me to help her.

Crossing the street I kept up a running conversation concerning how it was so easy to get out, but not always easy to find the way back in, and how nice it would be to get back home. Madame Chicken surprised me by actually approaching the gate and waiting for me to open it. Apparently I was trustworthy. As soon as the way was clear, she shot past my foot with a sound of triumphant joy at rejoining the rest of the flock. Just as I was closing the gate the woman and dog came back around the corner. She had knocked on the door of the house to let my neighbors know their chicken needed rescuing. We both smiled, happy to know that Madame Chicken was safe.

Feeling upbeat about the successful completion of my chicken good neighbor deed, I filled a second, new seed feeder to the brim and headed out to hang it in the front yard. I thought it might take the birds a while to notice the new feeder, but I was mistaken. As I carried the feeder to the dogwood tree the birds were actually waiting for me! They were hopping excitedly from branch to branch, eager to begin the feast. Seeing their excitement and joy warmed my heart.

Returning to the house, I had just finished thinking that Secret Agent Squirrel had not stopped by for nuts for a few days, when lo and behold, there he was, standing on his hind legs at the front door, peering in at me hopefully. I guess he heard me thinking…

Opening the door with a goodly handful of nuts, I leaned down to tip them out in front of him. He surprised me by grabbing my hand on both sides with his paws. Apparently he thought I was going to take them away. That is when I discovered just how strong squirrels are, and how their claws enable them to cling to the bark of trees. His claws clung to the little tiny ridges of the skin of my hand as he tried to pull my hand closer. It did not hurt, but it was like he became squirrel velcro—there was no way I was getting my hand back without his say-so! When he realized that I was not trying to take the nuts away he let go and grabbed one. Another happy customer at the Wild Rose Café!

Tomorrow morning I will refill the hummingbird feeder, which appears to be getting quite the workout. My resident female hummer has been active, but now there are others showing up, and she is not keen on sharing. I may have to get one more feeder…

This year as I say a prayer of thanks for my wonderful friends and family—(both human and animal), and for my students, clients and readers, I will again be saying a prayer of thanks for All My Relations, wild and domestic—as I enjoy my “happy meal.” If you would like to join me, the prayer in Thanksgiving with the Animals is one that that can be said every day—not just on one special day.

Happy Thanksgiving to all!
Rose De Dan, Manitou, Sand and All Our Relations

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A WILD WAY TO HEAL
Rose De Dan, Wild Reiki and Shamanic Healing LLC, is an animal communicator, Reiki Master Teacher, shamanic energy healer, and author. Her classes, sessions and ceremonial work are inspired by wild and domestic animals who have issued a call to action for personal and global healing.

Her book Tails of a Healer: Animals, Reiki and Shamanism features heartwarming stories about animals and their role in her evolution as an energy worker and shamanic healer.