View Full Version : Visits from departed pets?
After the recent reincarnation and "seeing the light" thread, I'm curious to know if anyone has ever been visited by a departed pet. Not just in a dream, but seeing or hearing them.
My cat died in 1999 at the age of 19. The evening she died, I swore I heard her scratch in her litterbox, jump out of it, run up the stairs, and jump on my bed. We would occasionally see a shape on the floor in a room and walk around it out of habit.
This past year I've felt her visit me while I'm in bed about four times. She jumps on at the foot of the bed and walks along the side on top of my bedcovers. The third time, I felt her walk above my head on my pillow--then I moved and it stopped. The last time, she walked on my pillow again and stopped when she was behind my head (I was laying on my right side and she was at my back), waiting to go under the covers. So I carefully moved my elbow to lift them, I felt her crawl under them, turn around, and come out again. It was so real!!! I waited to be tickled by her whiskers.
I know I wasn't dreaming at all. These things happened early in the morning, I was aware of other people making noise in the house, I wasn't half asleep/dreaming or anything like that. When I opened my eyes during the first visit, it stopped. The last time, I smiled because she went further than before. I can feel the blankets being pulled on me by her weight as she's walking. My dog died over a year ago, so maybe she visits to comfort me (she died before I got my dog). Although she's never lived in this house, when I contacted my animal communicator when my dog was ill, she described my cat perfectly and said she's still with us. I've been having a lot of dreams about her lately too; last night in my dream she was young and running around like a kitten in our old home.
Any other pet lovers experience something like this?
Permission to send me to the looney bin.
Simplemind
1-7-12, 12:36am
I would always go to bed and could almost set my watch by my cat coming in 10 minutes later and jumping up on the right end corner of the bed. He was a huge cat and not light on his feet. After he died I would feel the end of the bed dip. I was never asleep. I got a dog about a year later and she had so many of the same characteristics of the cat that I began to wonder about reincarnation. I have had many many animals through out the years but these two were special and close to me in a way that the others never were. I miss them terribly.
fidgiegirl
1-7-12, 12:59am
My SiL believes her dear little doggie comes back to have visits. I'm not entirely convinced, but with something like this, unless one has a personal experience, it's hard to make the leap. Not saying others haven't, tho.
My father had a beloved dog come back, and nestle her head under my dad's hand like she did when alive to get her ears scratched. He teared up when he told me about it.
I never believed in anything like this and haven't experienced it with the many horses, dogs, cats, or various other pets I've had and lost. And thankfully I haven't been attacked by the spirits of the 12 meat chickens I 'processed' this last fall.
But...
A couple years ago I was asked to go do an art show in a little town in a historic area of Iowa that is known for ghost activity (in my belief if you 'invite it....something will come' and I don't invite that kind of things). There are only bed and breakfast type places and the lady in charge of the show said I could camp out on the old stage in her store. While I was there I didn't sleep well at all. The first night I had a 'presence' physically sit on my back (I'm a tummy sleeper) and tickle me and the next night a large dog 'presence' came up on the stage, flopped down heavily right by my head and slept there for awhile. The next morning I asked her about a dog. She was glad to hear he was still making his 'presence' known. He had died a year previously when he jumped out of one of the upper level windows chasing a racoon and his collar got hung on the window sill. She said there was also a cat that would come around (not hers but the previous building's owner's) and several ghosts from back in the days (late 1800's/early 1900's) when the theater was still active which would explain what tickled me the first night.
I was pretty thankful to get out of town and never went back, the whole area had a strange vibe to me and I even ended up having car trouble trying to leave town.
What an interesting read this is. Very enjoyable and uplifting.
I had that experience of a cats jumping into bed with me, soon after his death.
I always thought that a couple of my favorite bulldogs would visit in the same way, but they did not.
But really, I don't think it's their presence, I think it is some part of my brain that replayed previous experience. But whatever, it was an experience.
I wish, but no visits from my beloved, deceased pets. I do believe that my pets are or will be in heaven and I will see them again someday. Lots of views to the contrary on this subject, mostly having to do pets having no soul but I believe that an omnipotent God can re-create anything, and as heaven is perfect then somehow my pets will be there.
I've had the same experience of the cats jumping on the bed and walking the length of it; also a semi-waking experience of cuddling with a much-missed cat. I've also had realistic dreams in which I'm delighted to find certain cats are actually still alive and thriving. These aren't my usual, incoherent dreams at all. It may be a combination of memory and wishful thinking. Or not. http://www.kolobok.us/smiles/user/anna-horosho_01.gif
Float On, I love your story. Wish you could have taken the poor ghost dog home with you!
I'm with Iris Lily on this one: our brains replay some experiences but that doesn't make them any less of an experience.
FloatOn's experience, though, who knows? What a cool story. Funny how much more I am willing to "believe" when the story comes from a skeptical source....I am amused at myself. In the meantime, though, I think it is great that people have loved ones, pets or people, still around. I know that I heard my dad's voice many times soon after he died. It wasn't in my head, except in the way that all sounds are in our heads, but I didn't feel the need to explain it. It was just an experience, and a pretty cool one.
Those know-it-alls who proclaim that animals have no souls make me tired. First of all, who says any of us do? Secondly--and more to the point--if animals don't have souls ("animas," from the Latin, btw), what gives each of them an individual personality (animality?) If we have souls that make us who we are, so do animals.
I'm generally a practical, logical person-too much so for my own good, I sometimes think--and my logic tells me there's more to the universe than the obvious.
(If you don't think I'm skeptical, you haven't read my posts on modern health "care."):~)
As for the little cat feet on the counterpane, what similar kinds of "replays" have any of you experienced? I can't say I can recall any, personally.
There's a cat at PetFinders calling my name. Talk me down...
Aww, Jane, go get 'em. (Is that what you meant by "talk me down?")
Add a little evil snicker here from one who would LOVE to have a cat that came with its own litterbox cleaning person but who has done enough litterbox duty for two lifetimes....
You enabler, you!
I didn't enjoy litterbox detail, either--and health issues much less. But there are cats out there languishing, and I have room for them. The absolute opposite of simplifying my life...
http://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/19614752
http://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/20884232
Jane, those cats need you!!!
I had a large male cat named Oskar. He died very suddenly from cardiomyopathy at only 10 years of age.
He used to bolt around the house and even when he was walking, you could hear his feet padding on the carpet. He wasn't obese, just a large cat - tall.
When he would run into the bedroom, the door would fly open and bang against the wall behind it.
A few days after he died, I was home alone and the windows were all closed. The door flew back for no apparent reason and made that sound. It was so surprising that I said, "Oskar????"
I lost my beautiful Bichon Frise two years ago when I had her put to sleep. She was in great pain and I had to have a vet give her the relief, so I did it. I still miss her very much. I often dream of her lying down in my bed with me.
I've lost many dogs and cats over the years. They usually make an appearance soon after their death to let me know they are alright. It's always quite comforting.
I know we will be with our pets again....
My cat, Man Ray, died last year. He was fourteen years old--his picture is my avatar picture. About a week after he died, I was awakened by the strongest sensation that he was sitting on my ribcage. I could feel his weight, his body heat, and even the vibrations of his purring. It didn't last very long, but I recognized the presence as being him, and I was so happy to have had that brief experience. I still tear up when I recall it.
Those know-it-alls who proclaim that animals have no souls make me tired. First of all, who says any of us do? Secondly--and more to the point--if animals don't have souls ("animas," from the Latin, btw), what gives each of them an individual personality (animality?) If we have souls that make us who we are, so do animals.
I'm generally a practical, logical person-too much so for my own good, I sometimes think--and my logic tells me there's more to the universe than the obvious.
(If you don't think I'm skeptical, you haven't read my posts on modern health "care."):~)
"The universe is full of magical things patiently waiting for our wits to grow sharper." --Eden Phillpots
I am a very practical person, but after 20 years of hanging out with dying people, I have seen more than my fair share of weird things. I am convinced that there are undiscovered mysteries out there.
Just the thought of dying and having my beloved animals running to greet me makes me teary.
I'm so glad to hear of other's similar experiences with visits. It's strange that while I'm still grieving for my dog, it's my cat that visits me. When I dream of my dog, she's very strong and drags me when I'm walking her, which isn't how she was towards the end of her life. The other night I had another dream about my cat, where we were in our old house and she was running and playing like when she was young.
It's amazing how you can physically feel their bodies near or on you; you KNOW what it is.
When we came home after having my dog put to sleep, when I opened our door I heard her nails on the wood floor, like she was there to meet us. Oh dear.....my screen is blurry.
Just the thought of dying and having my beloved animals running to greet me makes me teary.
Me too and this is what I believe will happen. I can imagine it now as if it were real. I've read a couple of books about pets and the afterlife that supports my belief and it is very comforting when dealing with the death of a pet.
Not only do I believe pets have souls, I often think they're more spiritually evolved than we are! Talk about unconditional love, mindfulness, living for the moment, joie-de-vivre, not wanting more than you need.... I aspire to be like my border collie/lab/terrier mix Nessie.
I've often thought the same thing, Catherine.
I definitely had a weird encounter. I had a beloved Black Lab, Charity who I had to let go at age 18 a few years ago. She had a very strange habit. She would steal bread and hide it. Never eat it, just hide it under pillows, couch cushions and closets. When she was gone my sister saw her a few times and assured me that she wanted me to know she was happy and ok. This is not unusual for my sister as she has had visits from her departed cats on more than one occasion.
This summer one of my sister's cats died very quickly. I'm close to her cats. I cat sit when she's traveling and I have to say Chloe was my favorite. I petted her in the back yard for a while on a Wednesday and the next day my sister brought her to the vet because she seemed a little out of sorts. She was gone by Friday and I never got to say goodbye, so I was deeply upset by that. I cried as if she were my own. That night I went to bed and there was bread under my pillow. That same night my sister had a dream about Charity and she was with Chloe and they wanted her and I to know that Chloe was happy. I think my Charity knew how sad I was and wanted to comfort me. It worked. I laughed out loud when I found the bread under my pillow.
We had a puppy for a very short while, but she had to be put down due to complications after being neutered. She was less than a year old. This really ripped me apart, and for a while after her death I swore I could feel her presence in the dining room, where she used to love to run in circles around the table.
We had a shepard mix, pound puppy that we adopted when DD2 was just learning to walk. Sheba was (best guess) 4 when we got her. On the very first day we had her I watched DD start to walk up our long, uphill driveway toward the road. Sheba would get in front of her, turn sideways and not let her go any closer to the road. I had to watch this a few times to even figure out what this dog was doing. For the next 9 years the dog slept in the hallway right in front of DD2's bedroom door. NO ONE was going to get in that room without Sheba's permission. One morning I found her unable to move and barely able to breath: tumors in her lungs had ruptured. She was in pain and I had no choice but to put her down without the kids being able to say goodbye (they were at school). We all cried our eyes out, but the next morning DD2, then 10 years old, announced that it was ok because Sheba was still there, guarding her door all night long. She never said another word about it, but every morning for the next few years would come out of her room and take one very high step like she was stepping over a sleeping dog and our other pound puppy would sleep in any and every spot except that one.
Wildflower
1-10-12, 4:19am
Amazing experiences, everyone. I have so enjoyed reading this thread.
I think someday we may come to find out that animals are on a higher plane/level than we are. Ditto what Catherine said above....
I'm not sure what plane of existence constitutes 'ideal' or where humans fall vs. other animals, but I certainly admire my dog's ability to focus on what is important to her. Her ability to shed the mental clutter (if she has any) and concentrate on a single task is amazing. If you've ever seen a lab and a tennis ball in the same place you know what I mean.
Not sure if you all have seen this YouTube expression of just what we're talking about here, but it fits in perfectly: Wendy J Francisco's GoD and DoG
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H17edn_RZoY
iris lily
1-10-12, 10:21am
Charity, what a great story! Gregg, same thing! Amazing!
Gingerella72
1-12-12, 12:44pm
Our dog Ginger died at the end of September; that night we rushed her to the vet hospital after hours and the vet couldn't determine what the problem was right away. Since it was late at night he recommended that we go home while he examined her and he would call us with updates. After we got home he called us about an hour later and said he needed to do emergency surgery right away as it was stomach bloat. We said yes, hung up, and waited. While we waited were were in bed, with our bedroom door closed as was normal.
Ginger was a particularly noisy sleeper so we couldn't have her in the bedroom with us if we were to have any chance at getting sleep ourselves, so we always kept her dog bed in the hallway right outside our door so she could be as close to us as possible. Sometimes she would whine to be let in.
That horrible night while we waited to hear if she was going to make it, I swore that I could hear her moving around outside the door, whimpering to be let in. A couple of times I even got up and opened the door to check. Around 12:30 am we got the call from the vet telling us he couldn't save her. After that phone call all noises beyond the door stopped.
This thread started right after our beloved cat Dusty disappeared on Christmas Eve. He was an inside/outside cat (outside during the day, inside at night). That evening he did not come back. We notified the pound, the Humane Society, the local vet, put up fliers on bulletin boards and the neighborhood, posted on local forums on the internet--to no avail. We never saw him again. On the 15th of January I was in that twilight zone awakening from sleep, but not quite awake, when I heard this loud meowing. It was not a distressed sound, but more the "talking" he did when he communicated with us. Then it went away. The following day, again in this sleepy state when awakening around 5:30 in the morning, Dusty appeared. He was hugging my leg and gazing into my eyes, purring loudly at the same time. I stroked his head and kept saying "Dusty, you came back home!" It was so real, I honestly thought that he was here in body. My next thought was that I needed to wake up my husband next to me, so he could see that Dusty had come back. While I reached for him, Dusty's image faded away. I was still able to hear the purring a while longer, then it stopped also.
I do believe that our deceased pets hang around and at times we can see or feel them. A very comforting thought anyway.
Anyone remember Albert Payson Terhune?
Ghost Dog of New Jersey
Rex, Phantom Canine of Sunnybank, a Loved Pet in Life
Albert Payson Terhune was a writer who authored many popular books about dogs. One of his favorite dogs was Rex who did not let death stop him from visiting his master.
The Author and his Dog
Albert Payson Terhune was a newspaper editor who did not enjoy working for the press.
He tried to sell his works about dogs for ten futile years. One of his friends encouraged him to keep trying. He finally sold a short story to a magazine, then, later as events unfolded, expanded it into Lad a Dog, which was extremely successful.
He loved animals and had many who shared his home, Sunnybank, near Pompton Lakes in New Jersey. While Terhune favored collies, he had a large collie-bull terrier mix who adored him and was very loyal. Rex had a scar on his forehead which made him appear vicious. He barked whenever a person stopped by to visit. The dog would lay by Terhune’s feet when he had guests and when he wrote.
In March 1916, tragic events occurred. Rex and Lad, an elderly collie, the alpha male, got into a fierce fight. Terhune was cleaning as hunting knife when he heard the savage growling and snarling. He ran outside to stop the fight. He yelled at Rex to stop. Rex tried to attack Terhune and the man had no choice but to use the knife. Terhune went to Lad who was badly injured. Despite the massive wounds, Lad recovered. This was the incident that was to become the subject of the book, Lad the Dog.
Rex the Phantom Dog
Months after Rex died, Henry Healy, one of Terhune’s friends visited. He knew how much the author loved the animal, but had not been informed of his death. As Healy was leaving he commented about how much Rex loved Terhune. He said he was watching Rex lie at his feet and look at him with canine devotion.
Terhune was shocked and replied that the dog had died a year and a half before. It was Healy’s turn to be shocked. He knew he saw Rex lie by the author’s feet. He had known the animal since he was a puppy.
Weeks later, the Reverend Appleton Grannis visited. He and Terhune walked about Sunnybank and dined on fine food. Grannis said he thought Terhune liked collies. The author agreed and replied that all of the dogs he currently owned were that breed.
Grannis was puzzled. He asked about the large dog with the scar on his forehead who was gazing at Terhune through a French widow. Although Terhune knew his friend saw Rex, he denied knowing about the dog.
Read more at Suite101: Ghost Dog of New Jersey: Rex, Phantom Canine of Sunnybank, a Loved Pet in Life | Suite101.com http://jill-stefko.suite101.com/ghost-dog-of-new-jersey-a23184#ixzz1k7i6LWYH
I had a pit bull named Greta. Getting a pit bull was my first wife's idea, since I worked nights and she wanted a dog that would scare away any intruders. I wasn't crazy about the idea but eventually I caved in. I've had many dogs during my life, but Greta turned out to be the one I was closest to. She was fun, had boundless energy, an amazing personality and was very intelligent. I bonded with her like no other dog in my life. When, at the age of 13, she was diagnosed with cancer, I was devastated. I tried to prepare myself for "the end" as best I could, but mostly I was just a basket case every time I thought about life without her.
One day I saw a Far Side comic (written by Gary Larson, if you remember), showing dogs in heaven, chasing and taking bites out of garbage trucks made entirely of ham. It made me laugh at a time when I needed it most. I cut that comic out and carried it everywhere in my wallet.
After Greta died, I had her cremated. When her remains were ready to be picked up, the veterinary assistant called and said, "Mr. Larson, Greta is ready for you." My name is not Larson, and nobody before or since has ever called me that. Maybe it was a simple mistake, a coincidence, but it immediately brightened my day, and let me know that Greta was alright, pain free, and resting in peace.
This was on one of the horse forums I read. Made me tear up big-time:
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1787929460466&set=a.1787925460366.2092629.1306445579&type=1&theater
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