Sarah & Dylan - 'My current little scamp'!

©Sarah Hibbett

 It is often the case that circumstances in someones life leads them to discover a new pathway that they never knew existed...this is certainly the case in my experience...

 I have been fortunate enough to have had different animals over the years and all of them have been well loved and made part of the family. However, when Merlin came along, I wasn't to know just how special he would become in my life.

 I first met Merlin when I went to view a litter of ten-week-old Mini Rex rabbits. The litter were all adorable and I wasn't sure how I was going to choose one of them. That decision was swiftly decided upon when a baby Merlin (as was to become his name) came straight over to me and proceeded to scrabble at my sleeve and try to climb up it, as if to say, 'Hey, I'm coming home with you!' Well, the decision was final-he had chosen me! Even at such a very young age, his cheeky personality was already shining through.

 As he grew, so did our bond. He had such a magical quality to him-all who met him fell in love with him. He was a chinchilla-coloured Mini Rex, which meant he had the most beautifully satin soft coat and was stunningly handsome. Yet beyond his looks, his aura seemed to radiate a magnetic energy; I always felt a sense of calmness and clarity when I was in his company.

 Unfortunately, at the age of one he began having stomach problems, which I feel originated from the bad diet he was given as a baby before he came to me. After the initial problems were treated it left him with a very sensitive digestion. As months passed, he would suffer from 'flare ups' where Veterinary attention would quickly need to be sought for treatment and then I would nurse him at home.

Although I hated seeing him ill, as the periods of illness came we became even closer; he trusted me with administering his medication by syringe, keeping him warm and clean and reassuring him as he lay in my arms.

 It was when Merlin was around two years of age that I began to realise that intuitively I knew how he was feeling-I would know if he was about to have a 'flare up'-as early as from the moment I opened my eyes in the morning. At that stage, I put it down to it being due to our close bond.

 I researched into how I might be able to help Merlin further, as at this point in time it was clear that he was going to have health problems with his stomach for life. So I booked myself on a course to learn and be attuned to the Japanese healing technique of Reiki, in the hope it might be able to help by trying to reduce his stomach 'flare ups'.

From the day I went on the course I never looked back. I found myself opening spiritually to Reiki and the benefits it could bring. I began working with the Reiki energy with Merlin-taking it slowly at first with short, occasional sessions and building up to longer and more regular ones. As the saying goes he took to it, 'like a duck to water' and so did I! He absolutely loved having the Reiki; he would lie calmly on my Mum's lap whilst I moved my hands around him channelling the energy. He would close his eyes and start to fall asleep as I worked-he adored it. I'm sure if you listened carefully enough you'd have been able to hear him snoring! I was so happy that he was accepting of the Reiki and the more I worked with the energy the more I began to realise that not only was I intuitively being drawn to the areas where he wanted the healing most, but was also picking up on how he was feeling. I was amazed! Even better, over time his flare ups lessoned and their intensity diminished just as I'd hoped.

Giving Merlin Reiki

©Chronicle & Echo Newspaper

After this revelation I booked myself on an Animal Communication course to see if I could improve upon what I was picking up from Merlin. By the end of the course, another door it seemed had opened for me. During the course, using the additional techniques I had been taught, I successfully communicated with a pair of rabbits and a dog-it wasn't just Merlin I could communicate with! I had fully discovered the wonders of animal communication.

 In the months and years that followed with the benefits of Reiki and Communication our bond went from strength to strength. I would know how he was feeling and vice versa. In fact, on days when my health was particularly bad (I have suffered from M.E/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome for many years) he would simply 'know'. On those days he would calmly sit for me to stroke him or lay still in my arms (the complete opposite of the normal bouncy and hyperactive rabbit that loved racing around at full speed). Other times when I was bedbound due to the pain and fatigue and unable to venture into the garden, Mum would bring him into my bedroom and he would sit quietly on my bed as he could sense how I was feeling. He brought such comfort to me when I really needed it.

 I do believe that Merlin was meant to come into my life and thus I into his. I discovered Reiki purely because I wanted to help him with his health and by discovering that I opened up fully to the joy of animal communication with his help.

 The day Merlin passed away was the day part of my heart crumbled and I still miss him dearly. However, I often sense him around me, guiding me from the Spirit Realm to help me with the animals I'm now asked to communicate with or give Reiki to-in particular with rabbits!

 Merlin was and will always continue to be my inspiration and I am blessed to have had such a wonderful soul in my life.  

Merlin

©Sarah Hibbett

     My Qualifications

~ SAFER Diploma - Flower Essence Therapy for Animals ~ Usui Reiki Masters ~
~ Equine Reiki Level Two - Practitioner ~ Equine Reiki Level One ~
~ Animal Reiki Level Two - Practitioner ~ Animal Reiki Level One ~ Usui Reiki Level Two - Practitioner
~ Usui Reiki Level One ~ Animal Communication - Foundation
~ Pet Sitting Certificate - ACC Distinction ~ Small Animal Care - Level Two - COPAS Credit