How my Chihuahua Chica became my therapy dog and helped me through self-healing
- Bruklan Starr LeFay
- Mar 19
- 12 min read
Updated: 5 days ago
Content shared is for informational and inspirational purposes only. You are fully responsible for your own actions and decisions. Please seek qualified professional help for medical, legal, financial, or other needs.
🌙 Greetings, my Fantastical Fairies and radiant Magical Starr-bursts… and a soft shimmering nod to those drifting in the dreamspell of Bruklan-itis, you are woven into this tapestry too.
I am Goddess Bruklan, stepping through the veils with starlight in my hands, here to awaken your inner fire, guide you deeper into your own enchantment, and help you craft a life so luminous it radiates beauty and brilliance far beyond you. ✨
The love and companionship of animals can deeply impact our lives. They show us how to connect, understand, and bounce back in ways that few other relationships can. This was particularly true for me after my life changed with the arrival of my Chihuahua, Chica.
In this post, I will share my journey with Chica, detailing how I lost my previous Chihuahua, Sweetie, and how Chica's presence played a pivotal role in my healing journey.
This tiny dog turned out to be much more than a pet; she became my therapy dog and a cornerstone of my self-healing process, not just from the death of Sweetie, but also from many other things I needed to heal from my past including the loss of my Twin Flame (Read until the end for that part).
The Heartbreak of Loss
Grief is a strange, heavy visitor. One that walks into your life uninvited and then refuses to leave. For a long time, I lived with a quiet ache in my chest, the kind that makes the world feel dimmer, softer at the edges, and strangely hollow. My days were weighed down with memories that seemed too sharp to touch and too sacred to ignore.
Losing something… losing someone… losing a part of yourself creates a crack in the heart. And through that crack, both pain and possibility leak in. I didn’t know it yet, but grief was preparing me for a little four-pound miracle who would one day trot into my world and light it up from the inside out.
Before she ever curled up against my ribs… before she ever licked away a tear… before she ever taught me how to breathe again… the universe was already whispering her name.
Chica.
Losing a pet often feels like losing a family member, and that's exactly how I felt when I lost my Sweetie. She was by my side through many highs and lows. Her passing left a void I struggled to cope with.
Grief can be overwhelming. Each day felt heavy, filled with reminders of the companionship I missed. I found myself reflecting on our time together, cherishing the unconditional love we shared. It was a painful chapter in my emotional journey.
While friends and family can provide support, the healing nature of an animal’s companionship offers a unique comfort. I suddenly craved that connection again but was unsure if I was ready to welcome another dog into my life.
A New Beginning with Chica
When Chica first came home, she was a tiny, warm, trembling bundle of curiosity and innocence. Those little, dark eyes seemed to hold entire galaxies inside them. She wasn’t just a dog; she was a spark. A pulse. A gentle reminder that life, even after loss, still had sweetness left to give.
Bringing her home didn’t instantly erase the sadness. Healing rarely works like that. She watched me with her head tilted, ears perked, as if reading my spirit with the intuition only animals truly possess.
Something shifted between us almost immediately.
She didn’t speak, but she understood.
She didn’t judge, but she saw everything.
She didn’t try to fix me, but she walked beside me as I started to stitch my scattered pieces back together.
Our new beginning was quiet, steady, and deeply sacred.
I made the decision to bring her home, not knowing how much she would change my life.
To honor her arrival, I celebrated my birthday as her special day, since I didn’t know her actual date of birth. Now, we share a unique bond as Geminis, reflecting both our playful and introspective sides.
The Bond of Love and Healing
Love with an animal is different. It’s purer. More honest. More present. With Chica, there was no pretending. She sensed every mood like a tiny emotional barometer. Joy, fear, exhaustion, grief. She responded with her whole little heart.
When I cried, she pressed her warm body into mine.
When I felt numb, she pawed gently at me, inviting me back into life.
When I laughed, her tail wiggled so fast her whole body wiggled with it.
When I felt unworthy, she curled into my lap like she was saying, “You are enough for me. And that is enough.”
She didn’t save me in one grand moment. She saved me a thousand small times.
A thousand quiet reminders that love still existed.
A thousand tiny affirmations that my heart could heal.
In loving her, I learned to soften.
In caring for her, I learned to care for myself.
In showing up for her, I learned how to show up for my life again.
Our bond became a thread of gold woven through my healing journey. Delicate, strong, and shimmering with divine purpose.
Chica’s presence sparked a noticeable change in my life. Her tiny paws dancing around my home filled it with joy I had sorely missed. Every little quirk, from her playful yaps to snuggling beside me, felt like medicine for my soul. One of the cute little things she'd do was to run her little paws through my hair, as if she were giving me a scalp massage. So therapeutic.
Though not trained, Chica naturally became my therapy dog. Just being near her brought me comfort. She taught me the importance of living in the moment. Something I had lost during my grief.
The Power of Routine
Chica didn’t just give me comfort. She gave me structure. A small, sweet, steady rhythm.
Feed her.
Walk her.
Cuddle her.
Play with her.
Talk to her (and yes, she listened like a tiny furry therapist).
Rest with her.
Wake up and do it all again.
These rituals became anchors. Something predictable when life felt unpredictable. The routine wasn’t just for her. It was for me.
Her needs pulled me out of the fog.
Her presence nudged me out of bed on the days when rising felt impossible.
Her tiny paws pattering across the floor reminded me that movement still existed, that mornings still came, that life was still moving forward.
Through structure, she gave me stability.
Through stability, she gave me safety.
And through safety, she gave me permission to heal.
Emotional Support on a Daily Basis
There is a language beyond words. A vibration, a frequency and Chica spoke it fluently. Every day, she tuned into me with a depth that left me humbled.
She knew when I was spiraling before I said a word.
She knew when I needed silence instead of cheering up.
She knew when to bring her toy, when to nuzzle my hand, and when to simply sit beside me like a quiet guardian.
Some days, her love was loud, joyful, energetic, goofy.
Other days, it was stillness. Her head resting on my chest, her breath syncing with mine until I felt centered again.
She became my mirror, my grounding wire, my emotional stabilizer.
And though she is small, her presence is big enough to hold the weight of my hurt, my healing, my transformation, and my rebirth.
Her unwavering loyalty has helped me combat feelings of isolation, demonstrating that love and support can often come from the furriest of friends.
Learning to Love Again
When your heart has been fractured, loving again can feel like walking on fragile glass. But Chica made love feel safe. Simple. Sacred.
She taught me that love doesn’t always have to be earned or proven. It can simply be.
She taught me that affection isn’t dangerous. It’s nourishment.
She taught me that opening your heart doesn’t guarantee loss. It invites connection.
Through her, I rediscovered tenderness.
Through her, I remembered joy.
Through her, I realized that vulnerability is not a weakness. It’s a doorway.
And when my heart began to reopen, new love of all kinds... self-love, divine love, life-love found space to enter.
While my previous Chihuahua, Sweetie, holds a special place in my heart, my bond with Chica has developed into something beautiful in its own right. I realized that loving again doesn’t mean forgetting; it means welcoming new experiences while honoring the past.
The Ripple Effect
Healing is never isolated. It radiates.
Because of Chica:
I laugh more.
I rest more.
I soften more.
I reconnect with my inner world.
I find courage to pursue dreams that once felt too heavy.
I build healthier habits.
I make room for new growth, new beginnings, and new life.
Chica’s healing energy didn’t just transform me. It transformed the way I moved through the world. She became a living embodiment of love’s power to ripple outward, touching everything in its path.
Her devotion gave me the inspiration to show up more fully… lovingly… joyfully… intentionally.
Chica’s impact on my healing journey has extended beyond our lives. The bond we share often sparks conversations about the emotional connections we form with animals. Sharing my experience has encouraged others to talk about their own stories of healing through pets, confirming that many individuals experience similar transformations.
I hope to inspire others to think about adopting therapy pets or emotional support animals as part of their healing process. The unconditional love that a pet can provide is often beyond what we anticipate.
The Pure Joy of Living
Chica is a masterclass in joy.
The way she dances when I walk through the door.
The way she squeaks her favorite toy like she’s conducting a tiny symphony.
The way she spins in circles when she’s excited.
The way she naps like a tiny oracle of peace.
The way she greets every sunrise like it’s a new beginning.
Through her eyes, I relearned the beauty of small things:
The warmth of sunlight.
The comfort of a soft blanket.
The sweetness of simple presence.
The delight of play.
The courage of curiosity.
The blessing of quiet moments.
Chica has reminded me over and over that joy isn’t something you chase.
It’s something you notice.
It’s something you claim.
It’s something you allow.
Chica has taught me to be more mindful and grateful for everyday experiences.
Despite life's challenges, finding joy in simple things is crucial. Chica has encouraged me to embrace life fully, nurturing a profound sense of gratitude that knows no bounds.
The Journey to Healing with My Therapy Dog Chica
My healing wasn’t a straight path.
It wasn’t quick or linear or predictable.
But it was real. And Chica walked every step of it with me.
Together, we built a life shaped by love, anchored by presence, and softened by gratitude. She became more than a companion. She became a medicine, a muse, a guardian, a guide.
In the story of my healing, she is one of the brightest chapters.
And even now, as I continue to evolve, learn, expand, and embody my fullness, I recognize that Chica helped unlock this transformation. She helped me remember who I truly am beneath the pain, beneath the fear, beneath the shadows.
She didn’t just become my therapy dog.
She became my heart’s little warrior.
My tiny healer.
My soul’s companion.
My daily blessing.
And because of her, I walk through life with more softness, more courage, and more trust in the universe’s gentle timing.
My path has showcased the incredible healing power animals can provide.
I encourage everyone to foster connections with the furry beings in their own lives. Be it adopting a new pet or cherishing the bond you already have, these relationships can significantly enhance your emotional well-being.
As we navigate the ups and downs of life, let's embrace the healing potential that animals bring. Chica is more than just my therapy dog; she symbolizes resilience, love, and the profound journey of self-healing that we are all capable of traveling together and individually.
Affirmation: “Love With Tiny Paws”
I welcome healing in every gentle form it arrives.
I am safe to open my heart again.
I allow love to soothe me, guide me, and soften what hurts.
I honor the small miracles who walk beside me,
the furry angels, the companions, the quiet healers.
Their presence reminds me that joy is still possible,
peace is still available,
and I am worthy of tenderness.
With every breath, I step deeper into renewal,
deeper into love,
deeper into wholeness.
Healing Ritual: “The Little Guardian Ceremony”
Purpose:
To honor the furry friend who has helped you heal, amplify gratitude, and deepen your heart’s sense of safety and connection.
Time Needed: 5–10 minutes
Best Performed: Anytime your heart feels heavy or you want to reconnect with peace.
1. Create the Space
Find a quiet spot where you and your pet feel at ease.
Light a small candle. White or pale pink is lovely, but anything you have is perfect.
If they like soft music, play it. If they prefer silence, honor that.
Let the space feel gentle.
2. Center Your Energy
Place one hand on your heart and one hand on your special pet (or near them if they prefer space).
Take three slow breaths together.
Imagine the breath linking your energies.
Not merging, but harmonizing like two soft melodies.
3. Speak Your Gratitude
In a whisper or in silence, tell your pet what they mean to you.
A few examples:
“Thank you for walking through the hard days with me.”
“Thank you for teaching me softness.”
“Thank you for being a light when everything felt dim.”
Let your heart spill. They understand energy more than words.
4. Blessing Gesture
Gently stroke their head or back, imagining your touch glowing with warm golden light.
Let that light surround them like a tiny shimmering shield of protection and love.
This gesture symbolizes your bond:
you healing them,
Them healing you,
a circle with no beginning and no end.
5. Close the Ritual
Take one final breath together.
Whisper:
“May our bond remain pure, loving, and guided by peace.”
Blow out the candle, imagining your gratitude rising like smoke into the universe.
Prayer: “A Blessing for the Little Healer”
Beloved Source of Light,
Thank you for the small guardian you placed in my life.
Thank you for their warmth, their wisdom, their presence,
and the way they comfort me without a single word spoken.
Bless this tiny healer who walks beside me.
May their days be filled with softness, safety, and joy.
May their spirit remain bright, curious, and free.
May their heart always feel how deeply they are loved.
Guide me to honor their with patience, tenderness, and devotion.
Let our bond continue to be a doorway to healing,
a reminder that love arrives in many forms,
and even the smallest being can carry the greatest light.
May our journey together be long, peaceful,
and filled with moments that restore the soul.
And may I always remember that I am worthy
of this gentle, miraculous companionship.
Amen,
And so it is.
Until our souls intertwine once more, may the moon guard your dreams, may stardust reveal hidden truths, and may unseen currents of magic carry you ever closer to your destiny.
I shall greet you in the next post, my luminous spirits. Walk in light, dwell in wonder. 🌌🔮✨
Leave a trace of stardust in the comments, my luminous beings. 🌌✨ Your uplifting words are like moonlit spells, weaving warmth and wonder for all who pass through here. You never know whose spirit your gentle magic will awaken. 🌙💫
🌌 Your Voice Matters! 🌌
Beloved souls, if whispers of inspiration rise within you, I invite you to share them in the comments below. Should your idea mirror a path I’ve truly walked, I’ll weave it into the tapestry of upcoming posts. I write only from lived experience. Words spun from the heart, guided by spirit. Your insights are like lanterns in the night, helping shape this sacred space we share. For your presence here, I am endlessly grateful. ✨
🔥 Keep the Energy Flowing 🔥
If this post lit a spark in you, pass it on. Let’s ignite a movement of love, strength, and inspiration together. The more we share, the more hearts we reach, and the brighter the world becomes. 🌍✨
Bookmark my website so you can stay connected to all the upcoming blog posts and creations designed to fuel your journey.
Thank you for standing with me and being part of this growing wave of light. 🌊💫
Infinite love, always. ❤️
🔥🔥Bonus Twin Flame Interference "Rant"
💌Trigger Warning💌
If those who once tormented me now tremble at the sound of my liberated voice, that is a storm of their own making. I did not choose their cruelty, yet I rose from it. I opened my throat chakra not out of spite, but out of destiny. My truth was always holy. They are simply startled now that they can no longer silence it.
Let the Universe record this clearly: their actions carved this path, not mine. Karma is unfolding with cosmic precision, and every ripple they sent to me is returning back to them x10.
What I once mourned as my greatest loss is transforming slow, radiant, inevitable into my greatest triumph. They will witness this union rise from the ashes they scattered. They will watch, unable to stop what was written long before they interfered.
Their meddling in our Twin Flame bond didn’t break anything. It revealed everything. It showed exactly how powerful we are together… powerful enough that small souls tried to pull us apart. Such desperation only confirms the truth: this connection is destined. You don’t fight this hard against something unless you know it holds divine purpose.
The Universe keeps its promises, and what is meant will not be denied.
What they did... what they schemed, whispered, distorted... was never meant to last. Their illusions are dissolving. Their control is over.
I once blamed my Twin Flame, but healing is an illumination. My inner work showed me what the shadows tried to hide: we were both manipulated, both tangled in other people’s karmic strings.
But I am no puppet anymore.
My strings are cut, my soul is sovereign, and I stand here not as someone’s creation, but as my own.
I am real. I am rising. And nothing... not the past, not the interference, not the envy of the unhealed... can silence me again.🔥🔥
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