If you’ve read my blog titled The Transition of Miss Kitty, you know that on December 2, 2025, our beloved cat was taken in a quick and traumatic way. We were devastated and have been processing our mourning for the past few weeks. As human beings with strong spiritual beliefs, we have many tools to draw upon—Spiritual Mind Treatment, meditation, our labyrinth, journaling, and more—to assist us.

In addition, I felt the urge to call upon our Native American Elder friend, Grandfather Golden Eagle, to help us with a memorial ceremony for Miss Kitty. It turned out to be the most perfect decision. On that day, December 20, everything shifted for me to a higher viewpoint.

First, it is important to share the metaphysical explanation of her death. This had been expressed to us by numerous friends and colleagues in different ways, and we knew it intuitively. It was a contract that took place between her and the dog in the subconscious realm. I was able to accept this on a deep level. When Grandfather added the aspect of Nature—and how animals can sense when another animal is weak or ailing, and, in a way only animals know, may actually assist them in death—it became even clearer. Nothing is random in this Universe of Law and Order, even for animals.

This revelation from Grandfather reminded us of a rooster we had adopted in our neighborhood who was shot. As he neared death, another rooster literally circled him and began to peck at him, as if helping him to die.

These revelations helped me move through another layer of mourning into a place of acceptance and surrender. However, it wasn’t until Grandfather proceeded with the ceremony that everything became crystal clear in the process.

First—and most importantly—before anything could begin, the area of her death had to be cleared. “Energy stays trapped and can create more events of like nature,” he said. This rang true, and we knew the property we were on had experienced several traumatic events prior to this. It feels peaceful now.

We then proceeded with the releasing of Miss Kitty’s ashes, but not before a step-by-step process. Grandfather explained that nothing they do in their ceremonies is different for an animal or a human. It is all about the ancestors and the Holy Ones who assist in such transitions.

Grandfather called in Miss Kitty’s ancestors on both sides of her family, going back generations, to help her complete any unfinished business before she expanded onward in her eternal journey. She was left on her own for a moment to express how she felt about living with us and any regrets she might have had about her life. We wept together, releasing regrets in tears. Then it was time to allow her to leave for her journey.

Grandfather asked us to take a small amount of her ashes and release them while he chanted. I know now that he sensed we were not yet fully ready to let go. That is why he instructed us to take only a small amount. He didn’t pressure us.

It wasn’t until after he left that the revelation came: Miss Kitty was no longer the ashes. She was free. Why were we keeping the ashes? What were we holding on to? Spontaneously, and together, my husband and I returned to the lanai and released the rest of the ashes, experiencing a glorious feeling of truly letting go of her earthly existence so she could move on. This allowed us to preserve her memory and our love, rather than focus on her absence.

This realization gave me a profound sense of peace and a new understanding of life. I saw only ashes—remnants of what once existed. Miss Kitty possessed a presence and dignity that far exceeded her physical form. I was reminded of Ernest Holmes’ writing, where he states that we have bodies within bodies, to eternity. Her ethereal body is the one that travels through limitless space to whatever comes next.

When I later texted Grandfather and told him what we had done, he simply wrote back, “Very good. Everything is back in harmony.” And it was.

Miss Kitty is gone in the flesh, but truly she remains a strong presence of power and love in our hearts and in our home. The process continues, and we are still letting go and remaining open to learning more. I am deeply grateful to Grandfather Golden Eagle and the Native American ways for helping me understand, at a deeper level, the eternal journey we are all on.

Rev. Dr. Rita Andriello-Feren, Author, Founding Spiritual Director CSL Kaua’i, Founder of the Red Dress Movement, Co-Host of the From Woo Woo to Wow Wow! Podcast
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