fbpx

Giraffe

A small white rabbit with floppy ears that looked like the ends have been dipped in black ink has always been with me. I call him Lambie-Pie because he looks just like the bunny Grandpa George gave me when I was about seven. I don’t remember what become of the real Lambie-Pie. Seems like he wasn’t around for longer than a year, maybe less. I do remember playing with him outside in our fenced in backyard in Detroit and in the basement where he’d slip and slide on the old brown speckled linoleum tiles never getting a good enough grip to do a proper bunny hop.

While I suspect Lambie-Pie will be with me forever as a spirit guide, just as my Guardian Angel is, other animals and creatures come and go. It was shortly after I purchased my first and current home in Pigeon, Michigan, that giraffes came into my awareness.

I say “awareness” with a smile since when I was first drawn to them I hadn’t a clue they’d entered as a new spirit guide to aid and assist me. It would take another four years or so before that insight became clear. However, the journey of discovery continues to be both interesting and mystifying.

And to think it all started when I found that I couldn’t bring myself to leave the going-out-of-business furniture store before negotiating a price on what seemed a completely unreasonable and totally unneeded purchase of a two foot tall giraffe fashioned out of leather. I bargained the already discounted $100 plus price down to $30.

Once home, I placed the giraffe on the bow window sill in the family room and stood staring at it. I would have sat down but there was no furniture yet except for a used rocking chair at the other end of the room.

I loved that giraffe yet couldn’t explain why. What was the fascination with it? Okay, so it was pretty. It was different. Unique, even. At least I’d never seen anything like it before or since. For me, it was an extravagant and pricey purchase. It was, and remains, an unusual purchase for me to have made.

Only later, … much, much later… did I make any connection between myself and what that giraffe represented. It should have been obvious had I’d known what to look for, especially seeing that his long, lean neck was outstretched, eyes gazing intently at something far-off in the distance, legs spread wide for stability. And there I was stretching my personal boundaries in many new ways and suddenly gambling I could afford this wonderful house all on my own.

My Giraffes with my calico JiffyI feel certain now that my giraffe was a sign, an intuitive symbol, meant to encourage me and support the new direction I was traveling. It was a visual acknowledgment of what I was doing: physically, financially, emotionally and spiritually sticking my neck out and taking some risks. It remains a reminder to stay grounded but continue to reach for something higher.

Over the years, my giraffe collection has grown. That first leather one, brown with black markings, is still my favorite. It’s sitting directly behind my calico, Jiffy. Jiffy, herself, is quite intuitive and a positive influence since she moved in 13 years ago.

Are you aware of your animal and spirit guides? I’d love for you to share your stories or questions.

Perhaps, like me, you didn’t realize at first the significance of an attraction…or repulsion!…of a particular animal or creature. Please share your comments below.

 

  • My spirit animal is a cat that has no name just is there when I dream or need help in some way. Maybe some day I will get a name. I just know this cat is black sleek and short hair with big yellow eyes and is very independent and loving.
    I have had two of these cats in life and had a few visit me when I have had trouble and been very down. I always feed them. They stay for a little while then go away when they are there I feel safe protected and at peace. After they leave my life improves quickly.
    I guess you can say they are truly spirit animals.

  • Such a great perspective, Kathy, on how animals show up to guide and walk with us. We recently moved to California and I have had some wonderful experiences with dolphins and one sweet seal, neither animals that I was strongly drawn to before. One day my two dark headed kids were swimming in the waves. I was reading on the beach. I would look up frequently to count heads and be sure I could see them both. I started counting, one, two… three? It was the seal! Since then I have seen him often and he likes to swim along the shore with my husband and I on our morning walks.

  • I loved the sticking your neck out yet staying grounded connection! I don’t believe I have found my animal yet….but I’ll bet it’s a busy one…lol.

    • Tom, don’t be surprised if you start noticing a particular type of animal now. However, I think German Shepherd dogs are strong Guardian Angel type canines for you and your dad. I’m also getting a strong vibe for river otter with you, too. I’ll have to look that one up when I get back home later this week.

  • Funny you should suggest German Shepard!
    When I was a boy, someone dumped a Shepard near our home. When it came to our house, I fell in love with it. Dad told me “no way we were keeping it…we already had one dog.”
    First thing Monday morning he was going to take it to the pound.
    But then he started talking about a Shepard he had when he was a boy that he named Rin Tin Tin, from the popular radio show.
    Needless to say, by Monday morning, my dog (Rinnie) had become a part of the family.
    As I type this, there is a 80 lb. Shepard lying at my feet named Maddy…lol.

  • I also am guided by the Giraffe, after 20 years ago seeing one 20 minutes after it was born at the Cleveland Zoo, her name was Baby Amber…I will never forget the feeling I felt looking into those beautiful eyes….they represent for my life, that nothing in life is ever out of reach, stand tall, stay strong and stay focused and you can do anything. On the way home from the Zoo that day the Holy Spirit gave me the catch phrase for my new business that I was just starting….”Grandma’s Perogies…A Taste From The Past…Within Reach!”
    Its on all my packaging and labels along with my “mascot” Godfrey, the Polish Giraffe….He has God in his name, he wears white socks and sandals, and likes Classic Rock….he is me! Love this Kathy!!!!! xoxox

  • {"email":"Email address invalid","url":"Website address invalid","required":"Required field missing"}
    >