When Reiki Accompanies a Farewell

The story of Alayah, Janey, and an encounter that changed everything

By Fátima Cunha Velho — Portugal

Janey did not believe in Reiki.

But she believed in animals.

Her life is full of them. Animals she welcomes. Animals she rescues. Animals who arrive with their stories, their fears and, often, simply needing someone to receive them.

It was in that world that Reiki appeared.

One day, I went to give Reiki to Janey’s dogs.

Among them was Alayah.

Alayah relaxed.

She fell asleep.

And she started snoring.

Janey did not believe in Reiki.
One day, she saw one of her dogs fall asleep during a session.
Then came curiosity.
Then, initiation.
And, little by little, Reiki entered her life. 🐾

From that moment on, Janey began giving Reiki to the animals who lived with her and also to those who came through her rescue work.

One thing led to another.

Or perhaps it was Alayah who led Janey there.

A life full of paws

There are people who have animals.

And there are people whose lives are, somehow, built around them.

Janey is one of those people.

Every animal has a story. Some arrived when they were small. Others were rescued. Some stayed. Others passed through her life, leaving marks that remain.

Alayah was one of them.

Her story had also been marked by mistreatment.

But Janey crossed paths with her and did not rest until she was able to rescue her.

Alayah then found a place where she could simply be cared for.

And, without Janey being able to imagine it during that first encounter with Reiki, the dog who fell asleep and snored during a session would eventually be at the beginning of an important change.

First came the animals. 🐾
Then, Reiki.
Then, a new way of caring.
And a story neither of them could have imagined they would live.

Then that day arrived

And it did.

The day no one wants to come.

Alayah was unwell.

Janey became worried.

She called the veterinary emergency service and prepared to take her there.

But something changed.

Alayah became calm.

Janey stayed beside her.

She kissed her.

And said:

“Everything will be all right.”

Alayah looked at her.

And she passed away.

Janey tried to resuscitate her.

But Alayah passed away peacefully on her own.

When Janey called me, she was in tears.

And I understood that pain.

Because those who live with animals know: it is not simply an animal that disappears.

A presence disappears.

A look.

A routine.

A place in the house.

And, for some time, it can feel as though something is out of place.

In that moment, there were tears.
There was pain.
There was farewell.
But there were also hands.
Affection.
Presence.
And there was Reiki.

Reiki did not prevent Alayah from passing away.

And this story does not intend to explain death.

But, during those extremely difficult moments that preceded her passing, Reiki was present.

In my experience, it was a precious support in bringing calm to Alayah.

And also to her human, Janey.

Because when pain arrives, we cannot always change what is happening.

But we can be there.

We can touch.

We can accompany.

We can offer presence.

Perhaps that is one of the questions we can ask:

how can we be there?

Stay close.
Touch.
Calm.
Accompany.
And not let someone leave alone.

That may have been one of the most beautiful things about that farewell.

Janey was there.

And Reiki was there too.

And what did Alayah leave behind?

I had already experienced something similar with my own dog, Peppa.

In the moments before her passing, with tears running down my face, I gave her Reiki.

It was a precious support in helping to calm her, and also for the family who stayed with her until her final breath.

To calm her.

And also for the family who stayed with her until her final breath.

Perhaps that is why this story touched me so deeply.

When I think of Alayah, I always return to the beginning.

To that first Reiki session with Alayah.

To Reiki.

To sleep.

And to the snoring. 🙂

Janey did not believe.

Then she began to believe.

She was initiated into Reiki.

She took the Solidarity Course.

She began giving Reiki to her own animals and to those she rescues.

And when the most difficult moment with Alayah arrived, Reiki was already part of that journey.

Alayah left something behind.

She left a story.

A change.

A memory that remains alive.

And she also left a mark on a path that Janey and I had been building together through Reiki and the care of animals.

Some animals leave memories behind.
Others leave changes.
Some leave a void that is impossible to explain.
And some leave marks that continue to accompany us. 🐾💚

Alayah passed away.

But the story did not end there.

Because something that began with her continues in Janey’s life.

It continues in the animals she welcomes.

In those she rescues.

In the care she offers to those who come to her.

And it also continues in Reiki, which became part of her life.

Perhaps that is why, even though it is a sad story, I can see it as a beautiful one.

A very beautiful one.

Because it speaks of farewell.

But, above all, it speaks of life.

Of a life full of paws, unexpected encounters, rescues, tears, changes and stories we never imagined we would live.

A story shaped by Alayah, by Janey, and also by the path we walked together through Reiki.

And it all began when a dog named Alayah fell asleep during a Reiki session.

And started snoring.

About the author

Maria de Fátima Pereira Cunha Velho, professionally known as Fátima Cunha Velho, has been a Reiki Master since 2013 and dedicates a significant part of her journey to volunteer work and to sharing Reiki for Animals.

Moved by a deep respect for life, she found in Reiki a way to care, welcome and contribute to the well-being of animals in vulnerable situations, always through voluntary service.

Living in Cascais, Portugal, she began her volunteer work with animal protection associations in 2014. For five consecutive years, she collaborated exclusively with an association that shelters abandoned dogs in Sintra, where she closely accompanied animals marked by abandonment, fear and emotional trauma.

Learn more about Fátima Cunha Velho and her articles in the Mundo Reiki Library.

Editorial Note

This article was developed from the experiences, memories and stories shared by Fátima Cunha Velho, through dialogue and editorial co-production with Ruy Fernando Morelli.

The narrative seeks to preserve Fátima’s experience, the story of Janey and Alayah, and the different paths of care, rescue and Reiki that come together in this account.