Are Connections With Pets Eternal?

| Print | By Jo Singer | June 3, 2009 1:24 PM

I AM EVERYWHERE: by Julia Amelia Morrison

Listen can you hear me,
though I am gone away?
Watch and can you see me,
as you toil through your day?

Can you smell my presence,
or feel my tender touch,
the wonder of the life we shared,
the life you miss so much?

Please, hear the gentle tinkling,
of the wind chimes in the breeze,
of the soft wind a door's opening makes,
will put your heart at ease.

Watch the dancing flowers,
or autumn leaves skipping by,
they dance and skip like I did,
before I had to die.

The heady scent of catnip,
the fresh smell of summer sun,
the smell of leather harnesses,
remember our days of fun.

The caressing touch of butterflies,
the feel of blankets warm,
remember how we cuddled,
when ere there was a storm.

Although my body failed me,
my soul is forever there.
Just look and touch and hear and feel,
for I am everywhere.

Catnip Hill Studio, Copyright © 2000, All rights reserved
Poem reprinted by permission of the author

Yesterday morning, as I read the news online, a short piece caught my eye and inspired me to write this blog entry. It was how Nancy Reagan, five years after her husband's death, she still feels his presence. Mrs. Regan, who will turn 88 in July, was interviewed by "Vanity Fair". She said that she still misses her husband, "an awful lot." A deeply devoted couple, Mrs. Reagan still talks with her late husband. She said, "It sounds strange, but ... I see Ronnie. At nighttime, if I wake up, I think Ronnie's there, and I start to talk to him. It's not important what I say. But the fact is, I do think he's there. And I see him"

In a poll following the article, "Do you ever "talk "to or "see" a deceased loved one?" the results favored those who do with 53% responding positively. Negative results: 47%.
The loss of a beloved family member, whether it is a cherished human, or adored pet can result in complicated and difficult emotions with which to cope. Often the relationship we form with our pets can be deeper than with our human family members and friends. Since the love we share with our pets is often uncomplicated and unconditional, making it safer, these connections become a supportive and vital part of our daily lives. And when our pet dies, our grief can be overwhelming.

I was very moved by Mrs. Reagan's courage in sharing her private thoughts so honestly and openly. And her words gave me a jumping off place to open a discussion about those of us who us who have lost pets and also continue to feel their presence.
Immediately a friend came to mind whose cat passed away suddenly and very unexpectedly, years ago.

Shortly after his death, one of her other cats began performing a very unique behavior identical to the cat that passed away. This was something that he cat did each evening ; turning on a touch lamp which was at her bedside It was of great comfort to her, feeling he was contacting her. Another friend continues to feel the presence of one of her dogs that resides at the Rainbow Bridge. She treasures that contact.

Mousie Tongue
Mousie Tongue.jpg I often see a bright white light flash late in the evening, in a room favored by my angel-kitty Mousie Tongue. At first I thought it was the reflection of a neighbor's car pulling into her driveway, but after a thorough investigation this proved untrue. At the same time I also sense his sweet purrsonality. And as the anniversary of his death approaches, one of my cats has suddenly started to lick my hair and "groom" me, which was typical Mousie behavior.

I must admit I am relieved that I am not the only one to feel contact with a departed pet. It is comforting to be validated that there a possibility for a genuine attachment that will never be broken. Since Mrs. Reagan remains connected with her late husband, perhaps this gives further credence that this is real? Leave a comment and share your thoughts.

RELATED TOPICS: Blogs (262) , Pet Loss (5) , Politics (11)



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Comments (7)

Heather June 3, 2009 4:56 PM

Oh yes, this is very true. I feel presence of my mom, who passed away in 1995, with me in this condo which was hers.
I often see her in the kitchen thru the window like opening in wall as i sit in living room. At same time I can also smell food cooking and have even gotten up to see if perhaps I'd left something on stove but, of course, nothing is there. Mom loved to cook from scratch, no pre-packaged stuff for her. I don't care what anyone else tells me, I know what I've seen was real. I had alsways wanted to give her a last hug goodbye and said lots of prayers asking if this were possible. About 2 yrs after she passed on, I got that chance to give her that last hug. She came back long enough for me to do just that. It was a miracle.

Vicki June 3, 2009 5:50 PM

Two years ago I lost my beloved Yorkie, Dolly. She was my constant companion. On more tham one occasion I have heard her in the bath room which is just off my bedroom. I can hear her footprints, and it is just as real as when she was alive. Nearly three weeks ago I lost my eleven-year-old Great Pyrenees. Although I have not heard him, I can feel his presence, and I miss him dearly. As much as I love my beloved animals, I know there is a day I will have to part with them. My heart breaks at the very thought.

Ruth from England June 4, 2009 5:04 AM

I was very close to my mam and cared for her for many years after she became disabled.She died horribly of cancer. Sometimes I feel I am actually her,that I'm looking through her eyes (or she's looking through mine) it's a strange feeling and hard to explain but I know she is with me at those times. I don't feel our lost pets around but I do have a cat 'spirit' who jumps on my bed when my Jozef isn't on there.I feel it going round and round as cats do, then leaning against my legs.I can only think it lived here at one time as when we moved in we found a cat's bones in the garden.
I treasure every moment we have with our cats,their lives are so short in comparison with ours.But I know our lost ones are with my mam,her idea of Heaven was being surrounded by cats, so I know that's where she and they will be !

Donna June 4, 2009 6:45 AM

After Dew died some 13 years ago, I was very sick in bed with a flu. I felt Dew by my side, even reached down to pet his very unusual fur, and felt his fluffy fluffy tail. My head told me that was not possible, I sat up, and of course he wasn't there, at least not in body, but I'm sure he was in spirit.

Just last night, (after my own 5 cats refused to let me sleep), I closed the bedroom door about 3. TWICE I felt footsteps around me on the bed. Of course I thought one of the cats was still in the room but it wasn't so. I sat up, and the bed was empty. I'm not quite sure who my visitor was this morning, but I'm very sure I had one, or maybe two...perhaps Dew and Clifton, maybe JJ or Flakey...but it's comforting they still know where to find me, whichever angel friends it was.

jmuhj June 4, 2009 12:41 PM

Oh, yes, definitely the soul is eternal and many souls visit their loved ones on this earthly plane. I have had many proofs of this. Also, in my background ancestors are very important, and they are always with us, in spirit (soul).

carolyn September 25, 2009 10:49 PM

I have doubted this, but the last two days I have smelled and felt the presence of my sheltie Reggie who died a few days ago. There are bursts of his smell at various locations in the house. We were connected at the heart for fourteen and half years. Maybe he knows I need his presence with me.

carolyn October 16, 2009 6:28 PM

My beloved Reggie , a sheltie,passed three weeks ago. I can smell his presence in places where he never was. It's hard to explain. They are like bursts of energy that smells like him. They go and come. It makes me feel better when this energy is around me. I never would have believed this, but it's happening to me. I believe in God and angels. Perhaps this is God's way of comforting me. Reggie and I could almost read each other's minds and emotions. He was my fur baby for fourteen and half years.

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