I lost my Dixie 3 weeks and 2 days ago. It is still soooo difficult. My "stages of grief" are jumping all over the place.
I just want her back so bad, it hurts.

However, I need some insight into what is going on. I love the story of Rainbow Bridge. While I WANT sooo desperately to believe it, I am not 100% sure. I had been raised to believe that animals don't go to Heaven. I always thought that was so sad, and so unfair. Yet nothing would make me happier than KNOWING that Dixie was okay...and waiting for me!!!

I've read on this board many times where the furbaby's mom or dad had a "visit" from their beloved furbaby that had passed. I honestly believe everyone's account of their beloved pet's visit.
Yet, I didn't think it would happen for me.

Well, last nite, I HEARD DIXIE BARK (only once) at the back door! No doubt about it, it was her bark!!! Us mommies KNOW our babies bark!!! I listened again, but didn't hear it anymore. About an hour later, I HEARD DIXIE WHINE, the same way she used to whine to let me know she was ready to come in from her "rodent patrol".
I listened, but heard it no more. I just feel so much that it WAS DIXIE!!!! I felt sooo happy to hear her!! My God, what I wouldn't give to have her here and hear her barking "for real". It would be music to my ears...

I cried for hours afterward. It just made me miss her that much more, but at the same time, I was happy to "hear from her". So, was I hearing her because I WANTED to hear her?? Or could this be real?!?!?

Any insight would be greatly appreciated!!
Thanks for listening,
Dana

You heard her. Does it matter why or how? I have no religious beliefs at all, but I heard my Dad speak to me, years after he was dead. Only once. But to this day I can remember the warmth that enveloped me at that moment. What I do believe is that sometimes comfort comes to us in inexplicable ways. Savor it.

Dear Dana,

I feel fortunate that I've had a couple visits from Shiloh and a couple of visits from Hobbie. If I were to describe any of these "visits," a skeptic could probably explain all them, but not being a skeptic, I don't look for explanations, I simply believe. I believe because I know that there are no barriers, not even death, that could stop the love I shared with Hobbie and Shiloh.

I've read your story about Dixie, and it sounds like you two had a very special relationship. A relationship and a special love that would know no barriers. I think Dixie was giving you a little sign...she was stopping in to say "Hi, mom. I'm okay." I find a great deal of comfort in the little visits I receive...I hope you'll be able to do that, too.

Hugs,
Kathleen

Dana, you are definitely not losing it!
A few years before Ammy died, we lost his companion Siamese, Titus. On the day that Ammy died, I went back to the house and as I stood in the dining room, I heard Titus, loud and clear. It couldn't have been anything else, no other cat made a noise like Titus! I immediately thought "Ammy has found Titus!", and this was tremendously comforting to me.

It is great that Dixie has visited you, but I can understand how it can also bring some pain. You know that our Shaun died on the same day as Dixie. I thought I was coping OK, but yesterday the rain was terrible, just like the day he died. When it rains, I always think "I must bring him in with the other cats, he'll get wet". Then I realise that he isn't there.

Yesterday was so hard. I was upset all day. I lay awake in bed sobbing. Pete told me that Shaun had come in from the rain, so there was no need to worry. I said that I knew he had - but I so, so desperately wanted to touch him. We cried for ages.

Thankfully I have started to love my other furbabies again. But there are days when I feel that the pain will never go away.

You definitely heard Dixie! All is well, and Dixie is waiting for you. Ammy, Titus, Tolly and Shaun are waiting for me.

We'll all get through this together.

Jules

Thank you all....I DO believe I heard Dixie. Now I want to hear her again!!!

Kathleen, I have read YOUR stories about Shiloh and Hobbie. YOUR love for them is so evident...I can sense the love in your written words. I have often thought of telling you that Shiloh reminds me SO MUCH of Dixie. Dixie was actually black and white (I'd post a pic if I knew how!!), but just the pattern of their markings and their eyes where you could actually SEE their playful spirit in them...Kathleen, I have CRIED looking at your picures of Shiloh. I know your pain from losing Shiloh and Hobbie must be trememdous. You have been in my thoughts since I started coming to this board, I just never told you. Thanks so much for your support and all the understanding and compassion that you give to the others. You're amazing!

Jules, I can sooo relate to what you are going through. I thought I was ok, too, but I have been falling to pieces the last few days. It may have started when I picked up Dixie's ashes, I'm not sure. But I can't stop crying. I find myself kissing her picture and touching the box of ashes and just sobbing. Last nite, I was hugging her best friend Frances (our 9 year old Dachsund mix), crying and telling her how sorry I was that Dixie won't be coming back. Then I kissed and hugged our NEW dog Jake and told him that I was sorry if I wasn't give him enough love, but that I just missed Dixie too much. It is soooo hard. What we wouldn't give to have our babies back!! The thought of not ever having them back is too overwhelming...
Jules, thanks for your love and support. We WILL get thru this (nightmare) together.

Scottyslave, I have read your posts about your Scotty and I am sooo sorry. Please let us all know how things are with you. You will be in my thoughts.
Dana

Dear Dana,

Thanks so much for your kind words about Shiloh and Hobbie. They were both very special spirits and I feel blessed having known both of them.

I would love to see pictures of Dixie. Posting a picture is pretty easy if you have pictures of her on file in your computer. If you want to add a picture to a post, just click the the "Browse" button below the response box, and then locate the file where your picture is. If you want to add an avatar picture, go to "my controls," then you'll see "Edit avatar settings" on the left of your screen. From there you click on the browse button and find the file you want to add. If your file is too large you may have to crop your picture before you can post it.

I hope you have more visits from Dixie.
Hugs,
Kathleen

Dana -
I am so sorry for your loss......We lost our 8 yr old golden Magee to liver cancer 2 weeks ago....we were at our vacation house in PA....she loved it there more than anywhere else in the world...she loved the river and running in the fields...we knew her time was limited but when the vet said the chemo would give her 6-9 months we were willing to do anything as long as she wasn't in pain...well the chemo made her VERY sick...she stopped eating for days and was very lethargic and the vet said it could be the chemo so when we went to PA thinking it may be her last time...and when we arrived she perked up - Friday she seemed okay, swimming, etc...but by Sunday 7/17 she could barely walk....we were loading the car to leave - I wanted to get her her home and to the vet - but she started having seizures on the front lawn....it was awful...by the time I ran to her and knelt beside her she took her last breath while my husband was holding her !!! I had been preparing myself for weeks the inevitable was coming...but when it came it was awful !!! I was hysterical....we figured she didn't want to leave Pa....even when she was young she would get depressed seeing us load up the car....so we buried her there under a pine tree on the top corner of a field...it will be a LONG time before her memories make me smile instead of cry...but we are headed back to PA tonight and I've heard many stories of people hearing/feeling their beloved pets....I'm anxious to get there and see if anything like this will occur....so I am sure that you did hear Dixie....and I bet you will again...when you least expect it !!! Jen