Brigette's Story: A Beautiful Soul
By Sally Shultis, naturopathic practitioner and owner of Deserts Rose Healing Ranch
This article was first published in the April 2009 issue of Fusion.
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Many of you have read my stories about my beloved Doberman, 
“Brigette.” On February 12, 2009, Brigette left
this world for a better place. She taught me so many things while she was on this earth. I was interested in healthy
living for many years prior to her entering my life. When I was told she had liver cancer at 2 years old, I knew I had
to learn more and make immediate lifestyle changes. I learned how to make my own dog food and started the long
process of learning about other modalities that would help her recovery process. I explored everything -
acupuncture, chiropractics, herbs, iridology, massage, and finally essential oils. Every one of these helped to keep
her healthy to the ripe old age of 15 ½ years. As many of you know, this is relatively unheard of in a pure-bred
Doberman.
At about 11 years old, Brigette’s health began to decline simply due to age. I called my friend Candace for help; she
is a Naturopathic Doctor. Candace introduced me to Young Living essential oils that day and I will be forever
grateful to her for it. It was Young Living oils that kept Brigette healthy for several more years. It was the essential
oils that helped her in the dying process. The oils eased her physical and emotional pain in her last days here on
earth.
Though she has physically left us, my family and I feel Brigette’s presence every day. Her favorite foods were pizza
and pumpkin pie with whipped cream, and I think of her every time I indulge in these treats. Her favorite oils were
Sacred Mountain and Valor, which I have always felt were fitting for her noble spirit. When the smell of these oils
fills our rooms, she walks with us again. When the Doberman puppies she nurtured shake their heads like she did,
make the same sounds, or look at me with the same quizzical stare, I laugh out loud to know that she taught them
well.
So to my beautiful Brigette I say "Thank You."
Thank You for allowing me to learn from you.
Thank You for protecting me every day of your life.
Thank You for being such a great gal.
Notes from Jan: Many of Fusion’s readers ask me what sparked my interest in naturopathic health care. I usually
share challenges from my past, but that is only part of the story. My work with animals is a direct result of meeting
Brigette. Brigette did not give her trust easily. She was devoted to my mother, Sally, and considered everyone else
suspect until they proved otherwise. The first time that Brigette allowed me to help her by offering comfort during
a terrible storm, I felt humbled and grateful beyond any other healing episode I had experienced. As the years
passed, she allowed me greater and greater insight into her world, and at times I even felt as though she were relying
on me to help protect and care for “her people.” As she aged, she allowed me to help her into her bed, apply
Raindrop Therapy, put crystals under her blankets to make her smile, massage her joints, and eventually, to help her
walk to her water bowl. She even allowed me the utmost privilege of feeding her parts of my dinner if the meal
seemed particularly enticing! No matter what the task, that sense of humble gratitude always struck me after
helping her. Today, I see Brigette every time I reach out to an animal— she taught me that an animal’s trust is a
precious, living thing. Trust is a gift, and must be recognized and honored as such for healing to occur. I love you,
Brigette, and I want you to know that I’m doing my best. You are missed, but I tell you honestly that your people
are happy, healthy, and whole because of you. There will be many more lessons learned, and stories written, in your
name.
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Click here to view the complete issue
Also in this issue (click to view):
Cleaning House: Get Organized!
What's New, Puppy Dog? Caring for your Dog's Skin
Try this if your Knees Hurt...
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