Animal Chaplain Sakakeeny to Speak at Worcester Public Library

Thursday, March 28, 2019

GoLocalWorcester Lifestyle Team

Kaleel Sakakeeny

Animal chaplain and pet grief counselor Kaleel Sakakeeny will discuss the connection between human and pets during a lecture at the Worcester Public Library.

The event “Our Animals, Ourselves: Conversations With Kaleel” will be held on Saturday, May 18 from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the Banx Room.

About Sakakeeny

Sakakeeny works to deepen understanding the connection between all forms of life. In this program, he also addresses the process of grief (how does it actually “work?”) and why advocating for animals is healthy for people and the planet. Sakakeeny urges guests to bring with them stories and questions to this informal, intimate conversation. A brief, animal-oriented meditation and memory moment takes place just before the discussion.

As a pet grief counselor, Sakakeeny provides a groundbreaking service that most people don’t even know exists. Pet Ministry Boston and Pet Grief Help are helpful resources for more information and assistance, but Sakakeeny adds the extra support many need on their grief journey.

His pet grief help and counseling Facebook page offers caring, timely and popular content and images that focus on healing from loss and the pain of losing a beloved pet.

His discussion group called Animal Talks, led by Sakakeeny, also meets monthly at the Stratford Street Church in West Roxbury.

Related Slideshow: 10 Great Pets in Need of Loving Homes - March 26, 2019

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Lola

My name is Lola. I am a year and a half old old, 40 lb, yellow lab mix who hails from Texas. Like most dogs my age, I am still learning some of my manners. I am looking for someone to show me the ropes using patience and positive training methods. I was the victim of some negative training tactics and it scared me and made it hard for me to trust people. I am looking for a relationship based on love and mutual respect. If you show me love and affection and throw in some treats, I will do my best to please you.

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Sophia

Sophia is a very, very sweet 4-6 year old chihuahua mix weighing about 10 pounds. She gets along well with dogs and cats, but all she really wants is to be with her person. Sophia follows her foster mom everywhere and at night will dance on her back legs to get her mom over to the couch where they can snuggle together. Sophia will come running from anywhere in the house when she hears her name called! Sophia is good with the teenagers in her foster home, but like many small delicate dogs, she would prefer a home without small children.

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Summer

Hello, friends! My name is Summer, and I'm a sweet, energetic one year old mixed breed (pittie? lab? kelpie? it's a mystery!) who loves people. I weigh in at a handy 35 lbs. You may have noticed my magnificent ears! They're very beautiful, aren't they?

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Allie

Alliby (AKA Allie) is a wonderful girl who wants a home of her own. She is very curious and she loves to follow you around the house. She loves affection and is very friendly once she gets to know you.

Allie is twelve years old, but she looks and acts like a much younger kitty!

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Cornbread

Cornbread is a wonderful and amicable cat who'd love nothing more than to spend the entire day by your side the minute you take him home! A polite and well-behaved eight-year-old adult cat, Cornbread is a mellow companion who does not have high energy requirements and loves to chill next to you--though he still has a kittenish disposition when it comes to playing! He has a wealth of affection to give, and would love to show you his many quirks--like yawning with his big toothless mouth or gently tapping your arm when he wants to be pet.

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Mrs. Maisel

Mrs. Maisel is a charming, affectionate 14 year old with plushy all-black fur and big bright eyes. Her favorite things are love, love, more love, and cheese. She purrs and kneads her round little paws and bonks you with her little round head and wants all the pats. She responds to attention lovingly but with the occasional light love-nip, so she's looking for an adult-only home with people who are used to cat body-language. She enjoys having her silky-soft fur brushed and will make a fabulous companion. She has lived with other cats in the past, but likes to be the little Princess, so slow introductions are a must.

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Patrick

Patrick is a very handsome and friendly 3-year old tuxedo with dense soft fur and light green eyes.

Patrick can be very affectionate, especially during meal times, but is not much of a cuddler or lap cat. He prefers to lounge around on his own but still be nearby you. Like his formal attire, he is very proper and will always use a scratching post rather than any surface or furniture. He also has the polite habit of greeting you with soft meows and gentle head butts.

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Tiger

Tiger is an absolute sweetheart. In the few days I've been fostering him, he's become my permanent shadow, following me from room to room even if I'm just grabbing a glass of water.

He's generally calm and happy to hang out on the couch or the foot of the bed. He does get a fair amount of of kitten-like zoomies at night during which he chases and hunts various toys. He also loves catnip and being brushed. As you can see from the photos, Tiger is a polydactyl cat so there's extra toebeans to kiss

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Zane

Zane is a very good boy who was living outside. He survived by maintaining a healthy level of skepticism about anything and anyone new. Any potential adopter will have to meet him from a distance and be patient as it may take weeks or months before you gain his trust.

Once he trusts you, it’s all pets, purrs, and cheek scratches. He can’t get enough. He's got a luxuriously soft coat that is a pleasure to pet. His favorite is being curry combed or brushed and melts into a puddle. He also likes getting pets in between bites of his food.