Communicating with Your Dog in the Afterlife

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Permalink Reply by Maltese Mom on August 5, 2008 at 7:55am

Sarah, Interesting topic. I do believe in the afterlife. After Rio passed I asked God to give me a sign that he was fine. 4 days after Rio's passing at 1am I heard a bell (he wore a cat collar w/ a bell so I could hear him at night), then I heard his bark. I always checked on Rio at 1am to make sure he was fine. To me hearing the bell and bark was Rio telling me he was fine : ) Yesterday while laying on the sofa with Oliver I felt a small tug on my leg......I know it was Rio. My leg was right where he would rest when we watched TV at night. What you are experiencing is not out of the ordinary....

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Permalink Reply by Sarah on August 6, 2008 at 1:52am

Hi Elsa,
I was happily surprised by how many people had similar experiences…
I told my family & friends of my visitation & many of them told me of their experiences.
It's comforting to know that we are so in-tune with our furry friends that they are able to communicate with us from the other side!
-Sarah

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Permalink Reply by Karol on August 6, 2008 at 1:34pm

Yes, I have. When our yorkie passed on, Toby. We were beyond grief. Yet we had Tiki or 2 yr old, bundle of agression, Long Haired Chihuahua. Toby's kidneys started to shut down, he was so ill.. Tiki quit being a pest and started "caring" for him.. even kissing him.
He loved to sit on the desk and watch me. Tiki.. she was way to agressive and constant puppy movement.. to do that. A couple of wks after Toby died. I was sitting here at the computer crying as usual. Tiki tried to comfort me and wanted in my lap. Being that she was about 8 lbs bigger thanToby that was the only place she was allowed. She sat there.. got me to quit crying..

She suddenly got up and went up on the desk and sat where Toby always sat. laid down..and looked at me. I talked to her for a minutes and realized.. she was staring totally at my eyes. A feeling come over me.. and I said Toby are you talking to Tiki ? She laid totally still .. I said Toby kiss.. and I leaned over and she gave me one tiny lick on the nose, and laid her head down like he always did.. she would never do this.. ever! She mooched ya from one end to the other.. he only would give one lick kisses! That was it!
I started to cry.. she did nothing. Finally I said If that is you Toby.. Momma is so sorry.. I miss my boy, I hope you know how sorry I am that I couldn't help you. am so sorry. She got up.. went off the table and into the living room.. looked at me, jumped up on the sofa and laid down.. in Toby's spot. just like he always did. She never , ever laid on the sofa.. it was his place. She, tiki would lay on the chair near by. I knew then, that he had talked to me.. thru her. I am sure he was letting me know by the kiss that he missed me too and that every thing should go on and be ok.

From that day forward, Tiki was a changed dog.. she calmed down.. much like Toby. She has been the best lap dog .. kind and so considerate.. personality came thru..a nd she is just a joy to have.
I felt at ease.. after all that. I knew he was accepting and would be there for me when it was our time to be together again. He loved me.. even though there was nothing I could do to save his life.
She carried on.. in his place taking care of his family for him.

Yes I know he was there and yes I know its true.. he came back and touched us one more time to let us know, he was ok.. and loved us too.

Its been 12 yrs.. I still sit here crying just reliving it.

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Permalink Reply by Maltese Mom on August 11, 2008 at 7:08am

Went to visit Rio's grave. This is the first time that I have seen it with the granite stone marker. Seeing this made his demise final.
Oliver ran to the site - its like he knows Rio is there. I cleaned the marker and talked to Rio. I still can't believe my little guy is gone. Its like I have to pinch myself to realize that Rio is no longer with us. I feel like I am in the fog. Its a strange feeling.
Sarah, How are you doing?

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Permalink Reply by Sarah on August 12, 2008 at 1:34pm

Hi Elsa,

It is so hard trying to accept that they are really gone! Take your time & honor your feelings…it's a long road to getting back to "normal"
I will never, ever forget my Chia but we must move on with life and try not to dwell on our sadness so much.
Rio & Chia were very, very lucky dogs to have such great mom's…so let's take a breath & take break…read a mystery novel or go to a funny movie…we deserve it and of course, we'll never forget our precious dogs but it's important to take care of ourselves.
A big chunk of my heart will forever be missing with the passing of Chia & I'm sure you feel the same way about losing Rio. So, know that you did all you could & try and get through that fog.

My thoughts are with you.
-Sarah

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Permalink Reply by Maltese Mom on August 13, 2008 at 8:11am

Sarah, you made me teary eyed again. I thank you for the comforting words. Driving to work today with Oliver, I started thinking of Rio and got all choked up. Yes, we need to move on with our lives and not dwell on the sadness. Easier said than done. I know one day I will be able to think happy thoughts of Rio. Again thank you for being there for me. Well, Oliver and I have to run some errands during lunch : ) Take Care and I will take your advice to heart.

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Permalink Reply by Sarah on August 13, 2008 at 2:52pm

Hi Elsa,
I know - easier said than done…I miss Chia constantly…she went everywhere with me…to work…to family outings…on vacation…everywhere! (She kept me centered…She was my "Chi")
Right now I keep an orange bear with me that my sister bought for me the day we euthanized Chia…I call it my Chia-Bear & I keep it with me…it comforts me.

I hope you're doing ok today.

Next time I write to you I will tell you the story of how I acquired Chia…it's quite a wonderful
rescue story…I think it would be good to talk of memories from the beginning & try not to think about how hard it got towards the end of our little dogs lives.

Smile when you think of Rio. :)
-Sarah

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Permalink Reply by Kara on August 13, 2008 at 10:38am

Oh this really is wonderful and sweet, I am totally teary over here. I am so happy I looked at this.
I am so glad your senses where up so you could feel her presence.

Rusty is still with me, but I am hoping to feel his security and love once he passes, like you.
He has been an angle on earth saving my life so many times, almost daily. I believe he will still be my guardian angel looking out for me from up obove. He will find a way to still alert me, or protect me.

I think this is my only way of coping after he makes it to rainbow bridge. The worry that I will pass away from my illness myself is a huge fear. Knowing he will still be with me in soul, will comfort me.

I love stories like yours. So sweet, loving, and shows how wonderful of a mom you really are. Hold those experiences dear, no matter what anyone else thinks, you are the one bonded to your dog and the one that will experience these moments. You know your dog better than anyone else, and will feel it stronger than anyone else.

My new pup Spirit has not had her formal service dog training yet. So I will not have that saftly net of a service dog. In fact after Rusty passes she will have to leave town and go to San Diego to the service dog organization. I call it doggie boot camp. I got to raise her as a puppy, so she knows my family and other pets, then she goes back for the serious boot camp.

During this time I will be all alone with my illness, and grief. My husband loves Rusty so much too, but does not understand my intence level of grief. I have one child, Loosing Rusty feels almost like loosing a child. I think loosing my son would be so much worse as he should not die before me, but it is expected with dogs to pass away and not stay forever. So we know this when we take on a pet, they will die. It is just the bond between us is so so strong.

I have greived heavilly over my past dogs, but never like this. He is with me 24/7, and is the reason I am still here today. I can never say my grief is harder than anyone elses, as many of us have such huge hearts. I just have an added fear for my own life that is very real. The day I found out the cancer had spread and nothing could be done was the most emotional day of my life. I cried all day, my body hurt, and I was so exausted. I imagine that cycle will come again on his day.

God bless you for giving her such a wonderful life!

Kara.

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Permalink Reply by Sarah on August 13, 2008 at 2:34pm

Hi Kara,

It was so wonderful to "feel" my little Chia even though she's not here in body anymore.

Although our heads know dogs do not have a very long lifespan our hearts open right up and it makes it so much harder when they pass on.

I believe that Rusty will be there for you once he passes over to the other side…but for now, while he's still here in body, cherish your time with him & although he is sick & slowing down he's here for you.

Spirit will be there for you when you need her & you will form a wonderful relationship with her and of course, you will never forget Rusty.

Good luck with all you are going through. My thoughts are with you.
-Sarah

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Permalink Reply by Maltese Mom on August 15, 2008 at 10:14am

Hi Sarah : )
I'm doing just fine today. Oliver is getting groomed and I'll pick him up in a bit and bring him back to work. He is with me at work, car wash, running errands.....and the market if we only run in & out. What you said is true we need to cherish the moments we had together in the beginning of our adventure and not focus so much towards the end. I have only but wonderful happy memories and tons of photos of Rio. I believe in time I will smile more often. As you and I have said before the grieving is a process that we must allow to take its course. I'm very grateful that Oliver and I are comforting each other. I will be okay. Your words of encouragement make it easier for me each day. I will always think of Rio and like you said "Smile when I think of Rio".....I will from now on.
Will visit Rio this weekend with a more positive outlook - and talk to him like I've been doing when I visit his grave site. Now, its more of making his new home a beautiful & peaceful one. His site looks beautiful with flowers and the St. Francis Figurine and finally his granite stone. Have a beautiful weekend. Elsa

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Permalink Reply by Sarah on August 21, 2008 at 1:57pm

Hi Elsa,

How have you been? How's Oliver?
I've been missing my Chia a lot!

I just uploaded my story of when I first acquired Chia…It's in "True Stories of Inspiring Dogs" and it's named "The Day My Puppy was Saved from the Fire of the Wood Stove!"

Check it out when you get a chance. I've been working on writing a book about Chia & the dog's life…it's been taking me a while because it's been going in a lot of different directions. I'm sure at some point it will all come together.

Have a great weekend & Stay in touch.
-Sarah

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Permalink Reply by Maltese Mom on August 22, 2008 at 9:18am

Hi Sarah,
We are doing just fine. Seems like all the emotions are finally falling into place. I've been thinking of you and wondering how you are coping. I can tell you are doing fine. Wow, a book....I can only imagine the many directions this is taking. But, its only natural. I guess start from the beginning and go from there. I will check out your story. I also write a little story called "Dogs Don't Have Souls, Do They? I believe I placed it in the inspiring section as well. Check it out. Well, have a great weekend.....and I'm off to read your story. Elsa

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