By Mary Alice Santoro

It was a beautiful warm May morning; Spring was definitely in the air.
I decided to take advantage of the weather to take my two miniature
schnauzers for a walk. It was a lovely walk despite the dogs pulling on their leashes and barking at all the squirrels and birds. As we headed toward home, I noticed something lying in the grass right by the curb. At first I thought it was a rag but then I noticed a little head that popped up. About this time my dogs noticed it too and began straining on their leashes even more. I managed to get them home and I went back to investigate.

To my dismay it was a little wild rabbit. I was able to get close to
the little guy and he didn’t even try to run away. Upon closer
observation, it was then I realized he couldn’t move his hind legs – he
was paralyzed! I immediately gave him Reiki while looking further for
any obvious signs of injury – I couldn’t see anything. I knew he
wouldn’t survive unsheltered in the heat, and there were the feral cats
that roam my neighborhood. The Wildlife Refuge was about 45 minutes away and I knew I needed to get him there. I went home and found a box in my basement and an old towel. I went back to where he was lying and very gently picked up the bunny with the towel and placed him in the box giving him Reiki the entire time. I put the box with the bunny in my car and off we went. Since I had to drive, I sent the bunny Reiki from my heart while also talking to him to try to comfort and reassure him that he was safe.

When we arrived at the Refuge, the staff immediately took charge. They are such wonderful, caring people. They determined he was a young male, definitely had paralysis of his hind legs and no outward signs of trauma. They gave him some medicine for pain and an I.D. number which they also gave to me so I could check on him the next day. As I was leaving I said good-bye to him and told him he would be well-cared for here. In that moment, he looked right up into my eyes and I felt him thanking me for rescuing him and for the Reiki. My eyes welled up with tears as I left because since he was paralyzed I thought for sure he would be euthanized.

I sent him and all the animals at the Wildlife Refuge Reiki all evening
and the next morning. Later that afternoon I found the courage to call
and see how the little guy was doing. I was prepared for bad news so
imagine my joy when I was told the bunny had made a “miraculous”
recovery overnight and was released that morning with some other
bunnies. I had the volunteer who answered the phone check the I.D.
number twice and the answer was the same – “recovered and released.”
Thank you Reiki!

About the Author:  Mary Alice Santoro is a Registered Nurse who has been a Usui Reiki Master since 1998. She gave Reiki mostly to people until her precious animal soul-mate Maggie became ill in 2004. Through Reiki, prayer and excellent veterinary care, she had an extra year and a half with that wonderful dog. Maggie made her transition in Dec.2005. She is one of Mary Alice's Reiki guides and is with her whenever she gives an animal Reiki treatment. Mary Alice is currently owned by two miniature schnauzers and a gentle sweet rabbit. She lives in Bensalem, Pa. and can be reached at maryschnauzer@aol.com.

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