{{{{{Jan}}}}} Awesome!!!
And look at your fur baby's precious, beautiful, sweet, dear, loving photos!!! My God! How you must miss them so much. HUGS!!!!! There are all kinds of Angels, Jan. Here's a poem that I wrote and chose the images. I pray with all my heart and soul it brings you some small comfort. More Hugs!!!

"Angels Abound"
By: AngelCareOne

Gray clouds spill droplets of water to ground.
Puddles then rivers begin to surround.
Engulfed in the rage of the storm I feel fear.
Where is my Angel? I hope that she's near.

Dear Angel, I cried out; Please don't leave me now.
I can't make it without you and wouldn't know how.
You're needed post haste to be by my side.
The storm's getting worse; In you I confide ...

Tell no one my secret; I'm scared of the dark.
You're always my comfort; My dove, my sweet lark.
I pray that you're close and can hear my call.
Please fly to me, Angel, and don't let me fall.

Are those wings that come closer and closer I hear?
It sounds like my Angel of hearts is so near.
She's here; Outspreading her wings oh so pure ...
Folds them around me; I feel safe and secure.

Thank you dear Angel; Now all will be fine.
Your compassion and love are truly Divine.
God bless you, dear Angel; Please tell me your name ...
"I'm within you always. You and I are the same."

"Your friends are all Angels; You know that already.
They care and they love you and help keep you steady.
Fear not when the storms come; Your friends are so vast.
Their love and compassion will shield any blast."

So there is the truth that I finally know.
You all are my Angels and I love you so!







Sweet, loving Jan ... I'll bet you already know that I think about and pray for your Beloved Treasured Fur Babies as much as I do my own! Honest and for True!

Tons of Hugs, Love, Peace and Om Shanti to you and your Fur Kids!!!

Always,
Dottie xoxoxox

Thanks so much for that comforting poem.

Yes, I missed my babies terribly today for some reason. I know haven't had a "normal" day since Ziggy died, but today was particularly hard and I don't even know why. I just felt so overcome with emotion.

I just want them back, both of them. I don't want to accept that I can't have my sweet little office partner and listen to her purr to me before bed. I still can't put away the crate that's in the room where Ziggy was so sick or the crate she was in when she died. I started to, but I could see her little hairs and I just can't clean that up.

Thank God for my other fur friends. I can't neglect them because they need me. Sprite is my happy border collie and she doesn't understand my tears, just wags her tail and licks my face. My Aussie Chance had a seizure last night. This isn't new but he is so helpless when it happens, I can just rub his tummy and give him syrop when he comes out of it. It usually only happens 2 or 3 times a year but he had one just a couple of weeks before Ziggy got shot so that's just a couple of months ago. His prognosis is good according to the vet, but if it happens again too soon I'll have him tested for thyroid problems. (I don't have a lot of money for vet bills after the thousand pus bill for a dead Ziggy.) Then there is Asha, my little border collie who is so terrified of the outside world because of her early abuse/neglect (all my pets are rescues). I took her to dog agility in a group class for the first time last week - she did private lessons before - and I was so proud of her! During the summer I tried to socialize her and took her to public places. She refused even her favorite treats from everybody and twice had seizures from hyperventilating. I have socialized dogs before but my little girl gets in a state of terror when there is too much activity and I was starting to lose hope that she can be a "normal" dog. So at agility when she was playing, taking treats and even approached a GULP man and let him pet her I was just smiling from ear to ear.

And Asha smiles too - I need to get pic's of this, as I now realize these precious moments just don't last forever - I so wish I had recorded Ziggy's beautiful special purr.

Even with my dogs distracting me, Ziggy's lack of presence is so huge. The house just feels so depressing.

Ziggy, Zita - I love you both and I so want to be able to enjoy you again....

My Merlin dog has been there before in my dreams reassuring me that he is safe, so I have to believe you are too.

Jan.

I just don't know if I will ever feel the joy that I once did.

I realize how little most people understand my connection with my furkids. My mom and dad used to love my old Merlin dog, but when I got new animals they sort of shut off from getting to know them. My mom decided she didn't like the dog hair and so they were no longer invited to her house. She's never been a big fan of cats. When I got Ziggy, my dad's reaction was something like "oh no, why would you get another cat." So much for congratulations. It was the same when I adopted Zeus and Zita.

I don't have kids of my own - not by choice. But I have always been so proud of my furkids. My parents live in a city close by. When Zita went missing, I said something to my mom about the grief I was feeling. She said "It's been a couple of weeks hasn't it?" I have explained to her that with Ziggy I do and will feel grief and that though she may not understand it, she must accept it. My dad seems mostly distinterested in the topic of Ziggy. They both talk constantly about my sister's children's problems, but a cat shot dead, well no big deal really. I know that some people just don't understand. But I feel hurt about it just the same. It's like why should I feel grief about it... when they don't. Not even when Ziggy was shot, murdered. My parents are generous, giving and caring people overall, and they treat animals well, so I guess I wish for more understanding.

I just feel alienated from most of the world right now.

I feel frustrated and concerned that people just don't "get it", especially for the well being of other animals like Ziggy who are at risk to predators who have no emotional attachment to animals. But I feel so tired of trying to reach the "unreachable". Can I even make a mark?

Jan.

Hi Jan, I understand exactly where you're coming from. All my hurt is kept inside of me now. I only burst when I'm alone. Or type it out here. I thought I might be able to get some sympathy from those who lost a close pet too. I didn't. Maybe they didn't want to relive the pain having already moved on. I just finished posting a new topic in cyber chat room about my day today. I'm craving a new kitty to love and I'm surrounded by people who don't want them. I told my Dad how in the long run, having them around far outweighs to pain of losing them. His reaction "no it isn't, I'd rather not have them at all. My sister in law who just decided to dump their cat on me(I do love her and she's no problem) cuz she just didn't want it anymore and was going "to get rid of it" if she brought her back home, has found out her beloved dog Nala has cancer in the worst way. Only 1mo or so to live. She's quite upset and I don't blame her, but she was the most unsympathic person to me knowing about Arthur. Now she's going to know what it really feels like.
You know, I'v been thinking about this alot., What really can people say to us?.. Are you feeling any better about your pet? I know for myself I wouldn't say anything myself. They either ignor it like they don't care, or maybe the do care about us and just don't know what to say. I'd rather them not acknowlege my feelings than tell my why don't you just get another one. Or, you know, I think it's time you moved on. Or, It's just a cat, dog, bird etc. get over it. I've come up with a line that I'll use in the future its...I'm sorry for your loss, I know how much this hurts, in time you'll get another one when your ready, it takes a long time to heal from this..I think this would show concern and respect. I guess you really need to find that special bond with a fury friend to understand..Hugs..Ann

Oh man, oh man, oh man! I hear you, Ann! ARG! ... And I still want to spit! Patttoooiiieee!!!

Many Comforting HUGS!!!

Always,
Dottie xoxox

Thanks Ann, yes.

I think for my own dad he just doesn't go "there" like a lot of men. The dog I grew up with got hit by a car when he was 12 yrs old. My mom wanted to get a dog years later but my dad wouldn't. My parents don't travel, they are homebodies, they go on walks - what better home for a dog... but what it comes down to is that my dad could not face the pain of loss again, I'm sure of that. He says it's the responsibility but I know how attached he was to our dog. But at the same time my 5 yr old niece is on treatment for Lyme disease and he'll talk about that for hours as will my mom. My cat's death - nothing. I know that if I had a child that went missing or was murdered they would see it as a big deal, but it clearly isn't that way for them about a cat. Somehow they just don't "get" the attachment or just don't want to be involved in that...

thanks for your thoughts. And for your "spitting" Dottie.

Jan.

I don't like to dwell on sad anniversary dates, but I can't help to think that this exact day last year was the last time I ever saw my sweet Zita. It was a "rush around" day and I didn't even interact with her much because we were out most of the day. I do wish I had one moment at least to tell her how very much I loved her and to have felt her soft fur one last time.

I feel that she knows I love her, but things have been very challenging since my Zita disappeared last year.

When she didn't show up for breakfast I actually fully believed I would find her and had a strong feeling she was "safe". Now I don't know even what "safe" really is or means.

My sweet Zita, I do miss you. I hope you've met Ziggy and are cuddled together in the land of light and love.

I love my "pumpkin" and I hope to see you again, soon.

Jan.

Hi Jan, how adorable Zita is in that picture. I think you can say the word safe means that Zita and Ziggy are together and will be safe together until you see them again.. Many Hugs.. Ann

Thanks Ann!

It's exactly one year today that she went missing.

I wish that my Zita would just mysteriously arrive on my doorstep. I know she's in spirit, but we never found her body.

These are some of Zita's kitten pictures. What a special kitty.

Jan.

What great pictures!!! Zita looks like a darling!!


Thanks for sharing them.

Candy's Dad
Hal

Thanks Hal

What she looks like in those pictures is what she was in life - just a bundle of love and sweetness.

Thinking of her a lot today... and as always my "helper" kitty Ziggy, who helped me cope with the loss of Zita.

Jan.

I know it must be SO hard, Jan, remembering and missing your Zita today especially. I"m so sorry. Her pictures are beautiful, that's for certain...just like the love you two shared.

F's Mom

Thanks F's Mom... thinking of both my kitties a lot.

Jan.

Just after Ziggy died I went down to our field and sat in the sun for awhile with my thoughts.

A red dragonfly landed on my arm. I've never seen a red dragonfly before. I've also never had one land on me since I've lived in this city. It sat for several moments.

Both Ziggy and Zita were "redheads".

I've heard about people seeing butterflies or other symbols from their passed love ones, and I did wonder... if it was a sign...

I was looking up dragonflies on the internet to see if anyone had had this particular symbol from a lost loved one and just came across this story. If this dragonfly was there for a reason, perhaps this story is the reason:

"In the bottom of an old pond lived some grubs who could not understand why none of their group ever came back after crawling up the lily stems to the top of the water. They promised each other that the next one who was called to make the upward climb would return and tell what had happened to him. Soon one of them felt an urgent impulse to seek the surface; he rested himself on the top of a lily pad and went through a glorious transformation which made him a dragonfly with beautiful wings. In vain he tried to keep his promise. Flying back and forth over the pond, he peered down at his friends below. Then he realized that even if they could see him they would not recognize such a radiant creature as one of their number.

The fact that we cannot see our friends or communicate with them after the transformation which we call death is no proof that they cease to exist."


by Walter Dudley Cavert

{{{{{{{Jan}}}}}}} I've been wanting to do this for a very long time. It's good that I waited because Photobucket has added many, many new features and I'm finally figuring out how to use them all. I pray this brings you comfort, Dear One! I began with the awesome photo of Ziggy ... Well, I hope it's Ziggy but if I'm wrong then all I need do is change the poster which only would take a minute. I can tell you what all is available and I hope to gosh you know me well enough by now not to be shy and that you realize how much I love doing this. Big Hugs!!!

Next, I'd like to work on Zita sleeping with the very colorful comforter unless you have a special request. As is said in by the Genie in the bottle, "Your wish is my command." I am smiling at you. Okay, I'll put the URL links for you to click and bring up each image. I've written beneath each image a short explanation of what I've done. Here you go with all my love!

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l179/MySpotFour/ZIGGY2.jpg
Original without any enhancements. Just as you posted the photo, Jan.

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l179/MyS...ur/ZIGGY2-1.jpg
Many enhancement features applied but I sharpened the image too much so ...

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l179/MyS...ur/ZIGGY2-2.jpg
Same enhancements and sharpened correctly.

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l179/MyS.../ZIGGY2-2-1.jpg
Simple Gold Frame.

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l179/MyS.../ZIGGY2-2-2.jpg
Poster. Jan, I can make the poster say anything you wish in any color text. Okay?

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l179/MyS...IGGY2-2-3-3.jpg
Hearts, Butterflies, Caption. No Frame. Jan, I can make anything a different color, put it anywhere on the photo and put any caption you wish in any color with about 7 frame choices. Plus, I use double and triple frames on one photo to make it look really lovely. Okay? Also, there are many, many different "stickers" besides the those hearts and butterflies and I can make them any color you wish.

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l179/MyS...IGGY2-2-3-1.jpg
Hearts, Butterflies. In my opinion, the Caption is too high inside the Frame so ...

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l179/MyS...IGGY2-2-3-2.jpg
Cropped off the bottom just a tiny bit then: Hearts, Butterflies, Caption, Frame.

Jan, I pray these bring you some small comfort and please let me know what you'd like next if other than Zita as I said. Okay? Okay!

Tons of Hugs, Love, Peace and Hope to You and Your Fur Babies!!!

Your Pal Always,
Dottie xoxoxox

Hi again, Jan. Here's what I have so far for Zita dreaming on the bed with the beautiful comforter. I hope it brings you comfort, Hon. Click on the URL links to bring up the photos. Hugs!!!

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l179/MySpotFour/ZITA5.jpg
Original with no enhancements.

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l179/MyS...our/ZITA5-2.jpg
Enhanced and sharpened.

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l179/MyS...our/ZITA5-1.jpg
Antique Gold Frame

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l179/MyS...r/ZITA5-2-1.jpg
Triple Framed.

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l179/MyS...r/ZITA5-2-2.jpg
Simple gold frame and captioned using same color text as one of the colors in the comforter. Jan, I had to make the print pretty small to get it all in there. Just click to bring up the photo and you'll see why.

I hope you like them.

Tons of Hugs and Lotsa Love to You and Your Fur Babies!!!

Always,
Dottie xoxoxox

Dottie - those are so great - thanks so much!

This picture of Ziggy I posted is a closer version of the original and I was trying to make her eyes brighter and get rid of the background stuff. I gave up after brightening, but I wanted originally to make the green background (the shrubs behind her) continue on the left hand side instead of the side of the building and the wooden cat that are there. I will get around to trying to do that some day, but I'm not a photoshop expert. Your sharpening worked really well! I will keep all these pic's.

I will post you a pic that is really blurry - it's of Zita. I gave it an effect because I think it is beyond "unblurring" but I'll show you what it looks like here, with and without the effect. If you have any ideas how to bring it "to life" I would love to hear them..

Thanks again so much Dottie!

Jan.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JYV1Hp8xT0

Give Me Love

Give me love
Give me love
Give me peace on earth
Give me light
Give me life
Keep me free from birth
Give me hope
Help me cope, with this heavy load
Trying to, touch and reach you with,
heart and soul

OM M M M M M M M M M M M M M
M M M My Lord . . .

PLEASE take hold of my hand, that
I might understand you

Won't you please
Oh won't you

Give me love
Give me love
Give me peace on earth
Give me light
Give me life
Keep me free from birth
Give me hope
Help me cope, with this heavy load
Trying to, touch and reach you with,
heart and soul

OM M M M M M M M M M M M M M
M M M My Lord . . .

Won't you please
Oh won't you

Give me love
Give me love
Give me peace on earth
Give me light
Give me life
Keep me free from birth
Give me hope
Help me cope, with this heavy load
Trying to, touch and reach you with,
heart and soul
Give me love
Give me love
Give me peace on earth
Give me light
Give me life
Keep me, Keep me free from birth
Give me hope
Help me cope, with this heavy load
Trying to, touch and reach you with,
heart and soul

OM M M M M M M M M M M M M M
M M M My Lord . . .

Oh, she's beautiful, Jan! Great photo of Zita. Yep, I think I can do quite a bit. As is said in the movie Blazing Saddles, "I'll go do that voodoo that I do so WELLLLL." Please give me at least 15 to 30 minutes and I'll be right back. Here I go >>>>>>>

Big Tight Hugs!!!
Always,
Dottie xoxoxox

PS. Can you post the original one of Ziggy that you're talking about above so I can see what I'm able to do if anything? Thanks, Jan!

Okay, here I go for real this time >>>>>

Hi Dottie - I think we are posting at the same time...

Here is the original photo of Ziggy, reduced in file size so it can be posted here, but it's before I cut it down in size. You'll see why I cut it down in size and brightened it - it's not a very good pic, but I have so few of her.

I am also posting the revised pic I made of it.


Need to go walk doggies but talk to u soon!

Jan.

Hi, Jan. Yes, we were posting at the same time. Wow, what a beautiful song! Thanks for sharing. Sorry to take so long but I ran into some technical difficulties when I realized this was motion blur in Zita's photo so wanted very much to go back and forth between two programs and there's more that can be done, too. There sure is. Here's what we have so far, Hon.

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l179/MyS...r/BlurrZita.jpg
Original as you posted the photo.

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l179/MyS...BlurrZita-1.jpg
I found this to be motion blur so couldn't do much of anything I wanted to do at Photobucket so needed to reduce image so it would be accepted at www.myimager.com and then went to that program.

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l179/MyS.../BlurrZitaB.jpg
At myimager.com applied despeckle, saturation, quality, gamma, contrast, brightness, lightness, sharpened and whole bunch of other enhancement features in various increments back and forth until I got the above to bring back to Photobucket and do more adjusting to make ready for painting around eyes and down "camera left" of Zita's nose.

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l179/MyS...lurrZitaB-1.jpg
Back at Photobucket did more adjusting to contrast, brightness, sharpening image, "grabbed" exact same colors from different places on Zita's fur and began to paint around eyes and left side of nose.

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l179/MyS...rrZitaB-1-1.jpg
Went back in, enhanced more with contrast, saturation, sharpen, lightness, brightness, sharpening and other enhancement features but not in that order then "grabbed" more exact colors from Zita's fur to continue painting around Zita's eyes, inside her eyes, the white pupil and down the "camera left" of her nose all to make corrections for the motion blur and ...

This is what I have so far but a whole bunch more can be done, Jan. I hope you like what I've done so far. I just didn't want you to think I'd fallen asleep. I've been at those programs. It would be a lot faster if I weren't so "visually challenged." We can make it better. I wanted you to see what has been done so far. Awww! She sure is Beautiful!!!

Ohhh, that one of Ziggy. My favorite and you did a great job, Jan! Wow, you certainly did. I'll rest my eyes a bit and talk with a few other people here then get to work doing what you said you'd like to have done to that photo of Ziggy. Remember, if I find it necessary to take it to www.myimager.com then I will need to reduce the size first so the program will accept the image. Okay?

Tons of Hugs, Love and Peace to You and Your Fur Babies!!!

Always,
Dottie xoxoxox

PS. Thank you so very much for letting me do this. You know how much enjoyment it brings to me and I pray it brings comfort and enjoyment to you, Jan. More Hugs!!!

Oh Dottie - you are so kindhearted!

Thanks so much for those, I've saved them all. I really like your versions! Someday I will make a painting from these - I think I will use your version to look at, it brings in her little sweet features better.

Oh, thanks again and it does bring comfort and enjoyment to me.

BTW, just now, this evening, Zeus came into my (newly built) office that became Ziggy's "dying room". He normally avoids this room like the plague or comes in and leaves right away. He looked carefully inside, came in and jumped right into my lap. There is still some of Ziggy's "stuff" in here and I think that makes him uncomfortable. But I was happy that he decided to come in, even though he didn't stay for that long. Ziggy hung out with me whenever I was at the computer and the void has been very big and very obvious.

Today I let my Aussie Chance pick a toy from my box of goody box and he picked a squirrel with a very strange electronic sound. Sprite, one of my border collies, was throwing it in the air and making it sound off repeatedly and I did have to smile at her. I am lucky to at least have fur kids that require my attention and provide me with such love, entertainment and attention. Wow - we think we humans are so evolved - hah! Do we experience fully the moment? No, we have to read Eckart Tolle for that. Do we express fully our joy? Uh-uh. Do we forgive and forget instantly? Uh-uh-uh... Our pets have so much to teach us, and we can be grateful for that. Even my behaviourally challenged rescues teach me so very much. And actually I think they sense those in spirit much more clearly than us also.

I will never, never forget the peace, love and gratitude exuded by my two special angels Zita and Ziggy.

Thanks Dottie for making these photos better so I have them as memories.

Jan.

Oh Wow, Jan! How great that Zeus came to visit you tonight and sat on your lap for at least a short time. This could be the start of something big! True that. Keep up with some gentle encouragement to Zeus for him to join you in the room where Ziggy's things are and if gentle encouragement doesn't work, use bribes. Really. His kitty toys or better yet try some kitty treats, kisses, pets, scratches and tummy rubs once he comes into that room or leading him to that room. Awww! You may have a very nice surprise coming.

How right you are that we could learn bunches from our pets and other animal friends. Oh yes. Yes. Yes, indeed. You're such a terrific fur kid Mommy, Jan! You sure are.

You're very welcome, Jan. Hugs!!! Errr ... I just pulled up the last touched photo of Zita that I did and can see there's a whole bunch more work to do. I can see now where I "grabbed" some of Zita's fur colors that are a bit too dark for above the eyes and the line is too thick.

No problem keeping that same photo while I work on it to change some colors, make less thick, use the "smoothing" feature and so on. You'll still have that one, too. I did "grab" the correct color for the lower corner inside the "cameral left" eye to fill that in though. When I draw, I just do one tiny "dot" at a time so I can undo and keep going. We can and will make that photo a whole lot better, Hon. Again, like I said, the photo you have will remain the same.

I'm so happy to do this and many times I can see better than other times. Yes, I have three different strengths of glasses but the eyes come and go with being tired. No, I truly don't believe I'm going blind, however perhaps some stronger glasses are in order. It's been a while. Hehehe. Thank you again and again! You honor me. Truly, you do, Jan.

Tons of Hugs, Love and Peace to You and All Your Fur Babies!!!

Always,
Dottie xoxoxox

PS. Jan, I forgot to say how darling about your Aussie Chance picking that squeaky squirrel toy and having so much fun. I wish I had a surprise goody box like that for me. No, not for Buddy or Styx. I'm talking about for myself.

More Hugs!!!

Always,
Dottie xoxoxox

Hi Jan, Reading some of your posts. I agree, our pets really do teach us a lot. All we need to do is just spend time with them and enjoy thier company. Also, I do know about those "looks". I know it's them and not me. I think that is what's so aggravating. The person who gave me the "look" said when I first lost Arthur, "Oh I understand, he was your child", but months later and still missing him and they can't understand why I haven't gotten past it, then they really really don't get it.
I also agree with what you said about how greiving is our fear of forgetting. I always believed that. But we never really forget. We just move on in life. But I keep picture close by just in case. Age plays tricks with us. I saw a kitten at the shelter last week. Looked very much like my cat Snowflakes that I found when I was 6yrs old. I didn't have her long, but it was instant that I thought of her and it made me smile. She was my Whisker's(who lived 18yrs) mom. I have little memory of her. The one that does stand out is when she use to open the hall door(for some reason we kept her in the hall) and I would always get blamed for letting her in. I can still see her holding onto the doornob and wiggling her body til it opened. Gosh that was 39 40 years ago. I wouldn't be too concerned about forgeting, 'cuz our hearts won't allow it. Enjoy your furbabies at home and soak up every moment with them. Hugs .. Ann

Hi Ann

I think generally we are just a self absorbed species. Maybe some people have not been through that sort of grief themselves... or maybe they don't attach as deeply as we do. It is nice to know that on this forum there are many, many of us that do get it.



I think you are right Ann - thanks for that.

Jan.

I've had a rough day and just need to vent.

Among other stressful things going on, our border collie who is almost 17, Rosie, is really starting to fail. I still see a sparkle in her eyes, but her back legs are really going and she needs a lot of help. She barks for about half an hour every night - the vet suggested gravol which we've started. This barking is after she has been walked, fed, had attention, has been let outside again - it's just a "woof" about every 5 minutes for about half an hour. She sleeps by herself upstairs and is not comfortable in the room with us. She has always liked her space. I don't know if it is because she has limited vision and hearing or she is uncomfortable, or because she is going senile... I just don't know. But it is hard to sleep. I know she is failing. I can't stand thinking about having to make a decision. For me the time is not right yet for her, but I know it could be any time, any day.

Okay that's one stress going on. We discovered we had mice and at least one rat in our house. I hate killing things, but it is a health issue. We heard gnawing sounds in the walls the night before last, and my husband is worried a rat will damage the pipes and/or die in the wall (this is our newly renovated house that ended up costing twice what we were quoted and has put us in financial turmoil). Anyway, we have to kill the mice or rats somehow. They are getting into our cupboards. I think we know where they are coming in and I hope we can block the entry way. We have bought a live trap for mice, but here there are no live traps for rats. We have to deal with this now before the problem gets worse. Being an animal lover, I hate this, I really do.

Then this afternoon my 2 year old sweet, shy border collie Asha - my rescue who was isolated in a barn with no loving human attention or exposure of any kind to anything for her first year of life - had her 4th seizure this year. She simply freaks out when we take her anywhere public. I had been taking her out almost daily to our public harbour, trying to socialize her, but she is in a panic state. I have dealt with dogs with fear issues before but hers is extremely elevated. She is not just afraid, she is terrified for her life. Even though I treat her like a confident, brave dog and she walks with our other 2 dogs who are happy in public, she just can't handle it. That panic seems to raise her temperature and she has had 3 seizures in the same place. The other seizure happened when the next door neighbour dog was fence running and she ran towards it - again a raised panic level. My Aussie Chance had big fear issues, but I was able to fix this by getting every single person that approached him to offer him the yummiest treat I could find. So he then started looking at every stranger's hands and licking his lips instead. And this is a dog who would lunge at people who walked quickly towards us. He is a good boy now in public. But Asha won't accept food because she is terrified for her life. She is such a cute, lovely, sweet dog and loves affection with the people she knows and trusts. But she doesn't trust people easily. My only hope for her seems to be dog agility. She is still really afraid, but it is in a barn, where she feels comfortable, there are other dogs there that she understands (mostly border collies) and the same people who are all dog people and understand her. She still has her tail between her legs most of the time, but she will accept treats (major, major deal for her!), will occasionally sniff another dog or person, and even peed once (this would be considered bad, except she *never* pees anywhere in public because she is so terrified). So I can only hope that agility will help her. I don't think I can take her to the waterfront anymore.

She needs help learning to trust and yet I don't want her to have anymore seizures.

I am talking to the vet tomorrow, they haven't been able to do much for her so far.

Okay, thanks for giving me an outlet to let that all out. Now back to household duties!

Jan.

Oh, Jan. I'm so sorry to hear all this about your border collie Rosie. You sound like you're handing everything exactly like you should and certainly are doing all you're able. From the sound of all you said, I do agree with you completely. It's not time to think about "that" yet at all. I know you'll keep a close eye on Rosie. She's almost 17 but, like you said, it sounds like she's got that sparkle still in her, Dear One. Please do keep us posted about Rosie. Okay? It sure helps to talk about it. Not only that, but if I felt any other way than I just said, I either would tell you or I wouldn't say anything at all. As I've said before, I tell the truth or say nothing. Ya know what? I need to try shooting a "test" PM to you to see if that problem has cleared up and I get a "I got your test PM" back from you in return. Okay? Next . . .

Ewww, live strange mice in the house. You poor dear. You know how I feel about my love for all animals and save them, relocate them and all that stuff but this is different, Hon. By the way, if you do set traps, two of the best places are behind the refrigerator and behind the freezer because they love that environment. Also, I'm not sure if you know but the mice will bite a lot faster if you use peanut butter rather than cheese. True. Hey, use both but get those disease carrying vermin and ... God please forgive me, but one really needs to dispose of them. Not only do they do so much damage to your home as you were saying but they can give you and your family terrible diseases. On another note, I do love "pet mice and rats" but that is waaayyy, waaayyy, waaayyy different from what you have. How's it going with the mouse and rat problem? Please let me know. If not here then over at the Alex thread because I feel concerned about both Rosie and you getting rid of those mice and that rat and/or rats. Hugs!!!

Jan, about your 2 year old collie Asha's problem: I know just what you're talking about. Nooo, not agility. That ain't the answer. I can see why you'd think it is. But, nooo. Have you ever heard of "The Animal Whisperer?" No, not that movie The Horse Whisperer or whatever the name of that movie. I'm talking about a man who treats dogs AND their owners/handlers for all kinds of problems including the one you described. In fact, I saw a program with him treating a freaked out regular size collie mix dog that fits the description you gave of Asha. He works miracles within a few short hours. I can remember what he did and describe it to you but let me see if he has a Website. BRB >>>>>

Got it! I knew he's "The Dog Whisperer" and not the Animal Whisperer. Doh on me. His name is Cesar Milan and I've seen him work absolute miracles in just a few hours or as short as a day or two for doggies and their owners with gosh awful problems of all kinds. Here's his Website

http://www.cesarmillaninc.com/

Again, nooo. Not dog agility for Asha's problem as you've described it. That may make the problem worse. But! Yesss to dog agility after you correct her terrible fear problem. If you want me to go into great detail telling you what he did on that one program with the very freaked out and fearful doggie along with the owner, let me know. I like him lots because he works with both the owner and the doggies on his show since sometimes the owners unintentionally give off "feelings" when they feel their doggie is going to freak so he trains both the doggie and owner. You'd love him! Hey, remember what I did for almost 30 years with animals. This guy is incredible and awesome. I see there's a forum at that Website so you could post your own specifics or perhaps email him personally. Jan, you won't regret it. I guarantee you.

Oh, I went back and worked on Zita's photo a little more around the eyes making corrections as I described in my last post to you because I made the lines too thick, grabbed the wrong color fur and I also decided to "over sharpen" the image just a bit since you said you may use this photo to look at while drawing. Here are three in succession as I worked concluding with the end product. Much better and I hope you like it . . .

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l179/MyS...ZitaB-1-1-1.jpg

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l179/MyS...taB-1-1-1-1.jpg

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l179/MyS...B-1-1-1-1-1.jpg

Jan, please let me know what more I can do to help regarding your doggie, too. Okay?
Love you bunches!!!

Tons of Big Comforting Hugs!!!

Always,
Dottie xoxoxox

PS. Jan? I just now took another look at the original blurred photo of Zita that you posted. The light orange fur coloring down the "camera left" side of her nose does not appear to show up until after I began sharpening and applying other enhancing features. Here's my question: Is that coloration supposed to be there or should her fur be white in color leading down from the inner corner of her "camera left" eye and down the "camera left" side of her nose?

Please let me know so I can use the "blemish removal" and "smoothing" again then "grab color" once more and do a quick paint to correct if it's supposed to be white. Honest and for true, that would only take a couple minutes to do. Promise. So please tell me, okay? Thanks, Hon!

More Hugs!!!

Always,
Dottie xoxoxox

I haven't seen any PM's yet, I've sent you several and they don't seem to work. I can give you my home email address, but since we can't PM, maybe I can send it to Bubba to send you since he does receive my PM's...?

We have been taking Rosie out in the car more and that seems to help a bit. I think she is pretty bored. She doesn't have much mobility so she tends to lay in the same spot all the time. She still goes on two walks a day with me on our property, but her legs have really seized up. She is on metacam and some other herbal stuff. She is getting very picky about food but if we give her too much of what she likes she gets diarrhea so it's a bit of a balancing act. She does have some problems with bowel and bladder control but usually we can avoid this if we can predict when it might happen. She still comes to me during our walks and I know by her expression she appreciates the attention I give her. So it is one day at a time.

I think we have found where the mice were coming in - I hope so. I was hearing gnawing sounds at night. Now I'm wondering if that was Asha chewing a bone in her crate. The last two nights I haven't heard it. We bought live traps and my husband bought other stuff that I can't even think about. I had a pet rat, and I agree with you, it's not the same. I value all life, but it is a balance and health and safety are issues. Still, I hate it. It's like the day Ziggy died they all got together and said "home free!". That happened also when my first cat died.



Yes Cesar Milan is my hero! I have his dvd's and have watched many, many of his shows. I agree with what you (and he) say about projecting energy etc etc.

When we walk together I treat Asha like a totally normal dog and I don't project any fear. She walks with Sprite and Chance who are both unafraid and self-confident. Whatever fear and panic she has about strangers and strange sounds comes from deep inside her. She spent her first year of life isolated in a barn without care or love. The problem is that she has seizures when she panics because she hyper-ventilates so much. Chance also has seizures which are related to activity usually, or not having eaten enough (he's had one at night though). Chance has about three seizures a year. Asha has had one about every other month, but this only has happened when she is stressed. Three times at the waterfront where there are lots of people, and once when the next door neighbour dog was fence running and I called her back. Both dogs need testing for thyroid issues also.

I wish I could talk to Cesar about it, because I really don't know what more to do about Asha's panic state. I will be talking to the vet again as soon as I can afford to run some blood tests for her. I will be giving her rescue remedy and I have a friend who is putting together some flower remedies for panic and fear. Asha really loves playing dog agility and we did private lessons which made her feel very happy. When we are at class it is the only time when she can be around strangers and not be extremely stressed. Still, she is still fearful, but I think the other dogs make her feel a bit more comfortable and she has even approached people to beg for food, which is unimaginable in most cir%%stances for her. She is a sweet dog and I love her to bits. I have to be very careful not to put her in situations where she will have more seizures, because having more seizures lowers the threshold for more seizures in the future; that is the less seizures, the less the likelyhood of more seizures, if that makes sense.

And thanks sooo much for Zita's pic - she was so cute then and you've managed to resurrect the pic. Thanks again!!!

As for the colouring on the camera left side - she had a very subtle amount of light orange but not very noticeable. I will post another pic here.

Click to view attachment

thanks Dottie and take care!

Jan

Jan,

I only have a few seconds right now, but if you really hate the kill traps, you could try something we did. We ordered (online) these ultrasonic gizmos you plug into your wall(s), where the frequencies actually run through the WIRING in your home, and hence drive any rodents out. Cats don't seem to be adversely affected by the range of frequency, so I'd assume dogs wouldn't be, either. We've used ours for about 2-3 years now and they seem to do a really good job. The brand is "Good Life" - Electro-Vibrawave ultrasonic units.

Glad to see you'll be trying flower essences, too, for Asha. Hope they help!

Gotta run now.

Hi, Jan. I'm going to do the "You and me talking" thing again because we're only permitted 3 quotes per post. Okay? Here goes ...

You: haven't seen any PM's yet, I've sent you several and they don't seem to work. I can give you my home email address, but since we can't PM, maybe I can send it to Bubba to send you since he does receive my PM's...?

Me: Oh crud. Jan, I didn't send you a PM yet. I'm so sorry. Doh on me. I will though. I think I may have "old timers" disease. Arg. I'll send a "testing, testing" PM to you right after I'm done here.

You: We have been taking Rosie out in the car more and that seems to help a bit. I think she is pretty bored. She doesn't have much mobility so she tends to lay in the same spot all the time. She still goes on two walks a day with me on our property, but her legs have really seized up. She is on metacam and some other herbal stuff. She is getting very picky about food but if we give her too much of what she likes she gets diarrhea so it's a bit of a balancing act. She does have some problems with bowel and bladder control but usually we can avoid this if we can predict when it might happen. She still comes to me during our walks and I know by her expression she appreciates the attention I give her. So it is one day at a time.

Me: I perfectly understand. She sure is hanging in there for her age. What a sweet, precious baby! Awww! Please give her a hug and a kiss for me. Well, a pet anyway. You don't want all that fur in your mouth. Happens to me every time I kiss Buddy dog because I wear a ton of generic Chapstick. Ewww. However, when I kiss Styx, he has so little fur it doesn't matter much. But, back to Rosie. Hon, even with all you've said, she sounds like she's doing well with her given circumstances and you sure as heck do take great care of her. What a wonderful fur kid Mommy you are! Hugs!!!

You:: I think we have found where the mice were coming in - I hope so. I was hearing gnawing sounds at night. Now I'm wondering if that was Asha chewing a bone in her crate. The last two nights I haven't heard it. We bought live traps and my husband bought other stuff that I can't even think about. I had a pet rat, and I agree with you, it's not the same. I value all life, but it is a balance and health and safety are issues. Still, I hate it. It's like the day Ziggy died they all got together and said "home free!". That happened also when my first cat died.

Me: I feel the very same way you do, Jan. It's kind of like a Catch 22 situation. Darned if you do and darned if you don/t. I love rats and mice as pets but not the gnawing and disease carrying ones that will bring down your home and family. Now, if they were deer mice (field mice) then I'd just pick them up and put them outside. This is different. Awww, I do feel gosh awful for you but ... Errr ... Just kind of think of that particular sort of mice as "termites" type vermin only mice carry more disease. Hey, I forgive you.

You: Yes Cesar Milan is my hero! I have his dvd's and have watched many, many of his shows. I agree with what you (and he) say about projecting energy etc etc.

When we walk together I treat Asha like a totally normal dog and I don't project any fear. She walks with Sprite and Chance who are both unafraid and self-confident. Whatever fear and panic she has about strangers and strange sounds comes from deep inside her. She spent her first year of life isolated in a barn without care or love. The problem is that she has seizures when she panics because she hyperventilates so much. Chance also has seizures which are related to activity usually, or not having eaten enough (he's had one at night though). Chance has about three seizures a year. Asha has had one about every other month, but this only has happened when she is stressed. Three times at the waterfront where there are lots of people, and once when the next door neighbour dog was fence running and I called her back. Both dogs need testing for thyroid issues also.

I wish I could talk to Cesar about it, because I really don't know what more to do about Asha's panic state. I will be talking to the vet again as soon as I can afford to run some blood tests for her. I will be giving her rescue remedy and I have a friend who is putting together some flower remedies for panic and fear. Asha really loves playing dog agility and we did private lessons which made her feel very happy. When we are at class it is the only time when she can be around strangers and not be extremely stressed. Still, she is still fearful, but I think the other dogs make her feel a bit more comfortable and she has even approached people to beg for food, which is unimaginable in most cir%%stances for her. She is a sweet dog and I love her to bits. I have to be very careful not to put her in situations where she will have more seizures, because having more seizures lowers the threshold for more seizures in the future; that is the less seizures, the less the likelihood of more seizures, if that makes sense.

Me: So, you do know who I'm talking about. He's wonderful! I read the rest of what you said about Asha and it all makes perfect sense, Jan. Ooohhh. Now, I get the complete picture. Poor fur kid, so askeerd. Indeed, I would contact Cesar Milan for the sake of Asha's fear complicated by her PTSD (so to speak) and her medical issues. I'd sure like to know what he recommends. Please do keep me posted about that. Please. Okay? Okay!

You: And thanks sooo much for Zita's pic - she was so cute then and you've managed to resurrect the pic. Thanks again!!!

As for the colouring on the camera left side - she had a very subtle amount of light orange but not very noticeable. I will post another pic here.

Me: I knew it! Thanks, Jan. I can tell that's Zita on camera left in the photo. Yep. I made a boo boo. No problemo. Like I said, it will only take a quick couple minutes to fix the photo.

First, I'll shoot off a PM to you and then I'm off to Photobucket and shall return. You take care, too.

Big Hugs!!!

Always,
Dottie xoxoxox

PS. Have a look see, Jan . . .

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l179/MyS...1-1-1-1-1-1.jpg

I'm not happy because of one point on the top lid next to the eye and close to the inner canthus ... Errr ... Close to the front of the camera left eye on the top lid ... I need to correct a couple of places the size of a needle point then, I think we might have it, Hon.
I would have done it while I was there but I began to go blind again. Just eye strain or sleep deprivation. Arg. Well, at least you know I won't forget and thanks so much for telling me!

PS. PS. Hey, what if I hadn't said anything about her nose coloring? I'm gonna have to smack you silly, woman.

And ... I did send you a "Testing, One, Two, Three" PM.

More Hugs!!!

Always,
Dottie xoxoxox

Hi jan, Just a quick note on your rat problem. I don't know if you have a harbor freight near you , they also have a website, but they sell these really small havaheart type traps. I got the big size to trap my feral cat and when I bought it I saw the small size and thought to myself " What would that size possibly be good for?" . Well it would probably be good for a rat if you are sure you have something that big. I hope Rosie is doing well. It is so hard when they get older. Did you get all your dogs from a shelter? They all seem to have had past neglect. Did you adopt them because of their past or was that a coincidence? It takes a lot of patience and love to handle that but you seem to have experience. '

I also love the pictures of your cuddling kitties. They remind me so of Gracie.

Barbara

Hi, Jan. I hope you got back the PM from me letting you know that I did not get your PM to which I responded because it did not come through after I read it ... Your test PM response to me that is to say ... Which I did not receive so replied to you to that effect after I did not read it because ... Well, I just wanted to make sure you knew. Okay?

I'm such a stinker.

Big Comforting Hugs!!!

Always ... I mean Never ... No, I was right the first time ... Always,
Dottie xoxoxox

PS. Jan, I don't know if you've been back to the "Goofy Cat Pics" in the other area of LS here since I posted a story told in "Kaptioned Kute Kuddlie Kittuh" photos. Please do sneak a peek when you're able. Me thinks mayhaps you could use a smile. More Hugs!!!

I know so deeply what you are going through. I lost my murphy about a year and a half ago. . . my scooter about 8 months ago and now I am losing Gabriel to cancer. It really hurts, and it sucks. But like I try to remind myself. . . they do not want you to be sad. They are in a better place and you are left with the greatest memories you could have. I know when he goes I will be just devestated but I know that he would want us to know he is ok and waiting for us on the other side. I will pray that god gives you strength and healing and helps you through this tough time.

And they really work? I kinda doubted they would, but now I think I'll look into this.

Jan.

Hi Barbara - I so love to look at your picture of Gracie...... awww...

I looked online for those traps, and actually tried to see if I could order one, but I am from Canada and it wouldn't let me go passed the zip code part. I need to find a way of shipping one here - won't give up, but maybe I need to find a more local source.

Rosie isn't eating much these days. We are now giving her anything she wants, but sometimes those things can be a bit too rich for her, so it has to be combined with her kibble or with rice or stuff like that. We don't eat red meat, but we went and bought her some hamburger and two roasted chickens today. Hope that will be appetizing enough for her.

Every one of our dogs and cats was adopted from a rescue or a shelter. I have sometimes fostered dogs - actually I fostered 8 puppies the year before last and they are all in awesome homes. Asha was a foster, but I could not give her up since she trusted us and was so happy here. Chance came from Aussie rescue in South Carolina, and Sprite was from border collie rescue. My h's dogs are from England - one was found wandering the streets as a 6 week old puppy (that was Rosie!) and the other was from German Shepherd Rescue.

There are so many dogs that end up in shelters and I know not every problem can be fixed, but I do what I can. I would do more, but the vet bills are killing me!

Don't know why but it's been over two months since Ziggy is gone, and I really have felt choked up over the last couple of days. I know it's because of how she died, and I just can't come to terms with how anyone could do this to her. I can't resolve to myself how the vet acted so casually about such deadly internal injuries. I hope I am not becoming a negative person, I used to feel quite optimistic about most things. Gosh it's hard...

take care

Jan.

gotcha! Glad we can connect again, I wonder what happened...

Thanks so much for the pic's of Zita. Actually the nose colouring thing is kind of hard to describe because she did have a sort of streak, just not sharply defined. I did like what you did and it's such a blurry pic that it's amazing you were able to do anything really.

I have to somehow deal with my feelings of grief and shock about Ziggy's death. I ran into a lady today whose daughter went missing 6 years ago. I felt a total connection with what she is going through. I can so understand everything she must feel - even the aspect of potential murder when it comes to a young person gone missing over a long length of time. Shocking things happen that shake our worlds and our comfort zones. If I can figure out a way to get through it and remain optimistic - I hope that will return someday - then I will let everyone know!!

thanks again Dottie for your help on Zita's pic - thinking of you and wishing you much love and healing!

Jan.

Hi Murphy's Mom - I am so sorry you have experienced so many losses including your current difficulties with Gabriel. I do believe they are there on the other side, and frankly I think it's a much lighter happier, less burdensome place than here.

Thank you for your prayer, and I send the same prayer back to you. I would like to offer my support to you as well, I just haven't had much time on the computer the last few days.

Thinking of you and wishing you much strength and courage.

Jan.

Hi Jan, sounds like you have a lot on your plate. Things will be ok. I don't like killing anything. I got angry at my boss the other night for stepping on a spider. I had a mouse in my garage. Tried traps even the snappy one I hate. This thing avoided EVERYTHING I tried. It even got into my new car and chewed a wire and it cost my 125.00 to fix. Yet, I fed him everynight. Long story real short, the smoke alarm wet off, and I think it ran out the door, either that or it ate itself to death. I like watching Ceasar Milan too, very fasintating, even though I never owned a dog. Also been watching Dog Town too. That one tugs at my heart alot. Hang in Jan..Hugs.Ann

{{{{{{{Jan}}}}}}} You're very welcome. And oh my gosh! Like Ann said, you do have a lot on your plate. I see that you, Ann and me are having a gosh awful hard time with coping. I pray it gets better for us and everyone here at LS. You surely know I do.

And here it is in song. Please see my PS. at the bottom for the other version.
I wish you Om Shanti my Friend! And to Ann, too!







Many Comforting Hugs and Much Love!!!

Always,
Dottie xoxoxox

PS. Here's another version with awesome scenery and it doesn't have the two skips that the top one has where you click on the image. It's lovely! Please click on the link.

"Someday"

More Hugs!!!

Oh wow, Dottie - that picture is so cool! It looks 3D - amazing - and I love the purples. Thank you!

And Ann, thanks for your thoughtful comments too. We actually did have a mouse eat itself to death. This is gross but we found it in one of the old dog food bins that we hadn't been using. It had some old stale dogfood in it and I guess the mousy got in and couldn't get out. I too have had to bring in an electrician (not in this house, thank God) because of mice chewing my hot water heater wires. We have plugged every imaginable crack to the house so I'm crossing my fingers that our problem is solved!

Oh and this is kinda neat - I went to find a pic of an angel cat to post a song for Ziggy - look what I found. I'll show you in the next post.

Thanks again both of you and sending you much care, healing and joy (if you can find even just a little in your day)! I was thinking about Dottie's earlier post on your thread about seeing Alex and your husband in a dream and I think these things do reassure us.

I wonder why Ziggy and Zita don't show up in my dreams, while Merlin, my faithful old boy, is regularly there...? Any thoughts? I have had dreams where I thought it was Zita, and the same type of dream for Ziggy, but then when I looked closer it wasn't. I like to think that maybe they are preparing for a transition here!! I saw two orange tabby kitties today - they were males and one was a little troublemaker I could tell - oh so cute though. They are not "the ones" and I am definitely not ready, but it got me researching every possible form of cat run/ enclosure imaginable. We will see - an animal communicator said that two special orange tabbies would show up in February and I "would know". Well, I don't believe all of that most of the time, but I really want to believe it. Anyway, I know that I "would know" if I knew, if you know what I mean!!!

As for my doggie problems I am taking both my seizure prone dogs, Asha and Chance to have thyroid testing on the vet's suggestion. I wish I could talk to Cesar Milan - oh would that be great - but I can't even apply to his show because I'm in Canada. And I think he's kind of a busy guy anyway. But wouldn't that be great to meet him....!

take care all!

Jan

This is a real book about a cat that died but then, as an angel, saved a family...

Click to view attachment

I thought she looked a lot like Ziggy, and she was a female orange tabby, then I noticed the pink collar - wow! Ziggy always wore a pink collar. The only difference is that Ziggy had orange on her nose, but otherwise she could be Ziggy's caricature - even the green eyes and the white markings.

And here's my song for Ziggy and Zita:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3J8q4cBSkTQ


"Here Without You"

A hundred days have made me older
Since the last time that I saw your pretty face
A thousand lies have made me colder
And I don't think I can look at this the same
But all the miles that separate
Disappear now when I'm dreaming of your face

I'm here without you baby
But you're still on my lonely mind
I think about you baby
And I dream about you all the time
I'm here without you baby
But you're still with me in my dreams
And tonight it's only you and me

The miles just keep rollin'
As the people leave their way to say hello
I've heard this life is overrated
But I hope that it gets better as we go

I'm here without you baby
But you're still on my lonely mind
I think about you baby
And I dream about you all the time
I'm here without you baby
But you're still with me in my dreams
And tonight girl its only you and me

Everything I know, and anywhere I go
It gets hard but it wont take away my love
And when the last one falls
When it's all said and done
It gets hard but it wont take away my love

I'm here without you baby
But you're still on my lonely mind
I think about you baby
And I dream about you all the time
I'm here without you baby
But you're still with me in my dreams
And tonight girl its only you and me

Oh and p.s. Dottie, I forgot to say that I love that song you linked to me. I am going to add it to our singing list at a spiritual group I belong to. Thanks for sharing that.

***ooo

or "kiss kiss", as the British say... or is that just Monty Python, I can't remember....

Jan.

oh and p.s.s. I ordered the book off ebay! I can't wait for it! I am such a kid, huh?

Jan.

Hi Jan-------I hope you get some 'dream' visits soon.It's so comforting when that happens.I wish I had a few more from Willy myself,but alas,none for a few weeks or so.An interesting thought occured to me tonite before I went to work.I was sitting outside the hotel before the show tonite and the last thing I wanted was to play music (in fact,this same feeling has been happening ever since I got this new gig.My first night with the show was just a few days after Willy died).Any way,I knew I could trudge through it.As soon as I girded myself to go back in,it dawned on me that Willy(and ALL our babies for that matter) was being taken care of in his new life and before I can be with him again I (and all of us ) have to stay here for whatever reason, on earth to finish certain tasks before being allowed to join the kids.Not a second before or after can we be with them.I guess this is no great revelation but for some reason it gave me solace and made sense.Sometimes I think I might forget him and his ways but as soon as I deliberatly think about him he starts to become clear again.I guess if we diligently think about the kids and never give up they will be our final thought when it is our time and they will be there for us when we slip to the other side.I'm not sure what else we can do.I'm babbling but I hope this helped.Let's all pray for vivid dreams about the kids tonite.God bless ziggy and zita and willy.Take care Jan,
Bubba...............

Hi, Jan! You're very welcome indeed. I love that image and song, too. Ewww. Ewww. Ewww about your mousey problem but I'm so glad it got resolve. Whewww! That's a load off ... For now at least.

Oh, I read all three posts. I do that PS. thing lots and lots. Thoughts just keep coming to me. What an amazing photo of what I take is the cover to the book. And what a wonderful, wonderful book! You said you ordered it on e-Bay? Please let me know how you like it after it's delivered and you've had the time to read it. I'm saving that Angel kitty image to my files, too. Awesome! And what a wonderful song, too. Wow! I love, love, love the video you left on my thread and did respond to you there using images. I hope you like it, Jan.

The Angel kitty image you posted does look a lot like Ziggy to me, too. I mean from his photos that you've posted. Like an artist's depiction of Ziggy. Ain't that something? Wow!

Jan, I don't know why you don't dream about Ziggy and Zita but I have a darned good idea why I don't dream about Alex. Well, put it this way ... I did have one very, very vivid dream about Alex one time. It was either Nov. 26, 2007 or Nov. 27, 2007. I did not know I was dreaming, knew I was awake, I can tell you everything about that dream which was so joyful, joyful! It was immediately after having that dream when I experienced the first of what I can only describe as nervous breakdowns. I've never had a nervous breakdown in my life but it does fit the online description. I think I told you about them, there were 2 times, how long they lasted and how they manifested really bizarre stuff. Oy. So, my best guess when it comes to myself is that I don't dream about Alex because my psyche just can't take it. Can't handle it. I hope that made sense. Again, that's just me and it's just an educated guess.

I'm not sure if you're aware about some things concerning sleep cycles during uninterrupted sleep. Let's say for example you fall asleep and do not wake up for at least 5 to 7 hours. During that time, one experiences several REM (rapid eye movent) periods of different dreams and in-between each dream, there are blank gaps so to speak. If one does is not interrupted and does sleep those 5 to 7 to 8 hours then you will best remember the very first dream or dreams you had as well as the very last dream or dreams you had during that time. You may or may not remember at all any of the dreams which happened in the middle part of your sleep cycle. I hope I'm explaining this well. If not, I can google to find something that will explain it better ...

So, you may be dreaming about them and not remember. I may be dreaming about Alex and gosh knows what and not remember if that dream took place during the middle part of an uninterrupted sleep cycle. Ya know about those people you hear sometimes who say they never, ever dream? Oh yes they do. We need to dream (REM sleep) or we will go loony tunes if deprived of REM sleep periods. In fact, after about 3 days or more of no REM sleep, you'll either have what is known as a waking dream or ... You will hallucinate. All normal people will.

Yep, I helped volunteer while in college down in the labs but was an observer and one who made sure to wake up the sleeping volunteers whenever they went into REM sleep. Oh, they were hooked up to monitors which are very simple machines that did let you know when a person goes into REM sleep. We have more sophisticated monitors used to help people with sleeping problems and yada, yada, yada. Anyway, anytime a student volunteered for any experiments pertaining to any subject they were taking, we either got paid something like $5.00 or more depending upon the amount of time and involvement of that experiment. Or, we would receive extra credit for that class.

My Gawd. You shoulda seen them poor volunteers after a few days being deprived of REM sleep which is, like I said, when we dream. Yep, pretty much like in the movies be they comedies or otherwise. I would tell you all the stages they went through up to the point of either hallucinating or having waking dreams but it wasn't pretty. Poor kids. Better them than me. Oh, I am so bad.

Anyway, I went off on a tangent. My point was to let you know that you do have dreams that you probably don't remember if you experience a full sleep cycle of at least 5 to 7 hours. What are those dreams about? I don't know cuz I can't remember for all the reasons I just gave. Maybe our subconscious knows how painful and unbearable it would be to our psyche and physical health if we did dream about Ziggy, Zita or Alex so we either don't dream about them or do but only during that middle time when we won't be able to recall what we dreamed unless someone or something woke us up at that very point in time. Then, we would probably remember since that would make it the last dream of your sleep cycle. Dang. I hope I'm making sense.

Jan, it's amazing and astounding how our brain will protect us in ways we're unaware from those things too harsh, grim, horrifying and unbearable for us and that includes more than the dreaming stuff I just wrote about in novel form and hopefully didn't bore you to tears. Talk about "A Beautiful Mind!" Wow, great movie and great way to describe how our mind and brain protects us. But, obviously there are those whose minds are not functioning properly. Well, their brains and minds. The brain ... Oh, just tell me if you care to know cuz ... Dang! It is truly amazing indeed.

Glad to hear that you're taking both your seizure prone dogs, Asha and Chance to have thyroid testing on the vet's suggestion. And it sure would be great to get help from Cesar Milan. We've talked about him before and are both great fans indeed. His moniker of "The Dog Whisperer" is perfect for him!

I hope I didn't bore you with all that technical stuff about dreams. I thought it might be helpful giving more information to let you know why you may or may not be dreaming about Ziggy and Zita. Take care, Hon. And I'll be talking atcha more later.

Big Comforting Hugs!!!

Always,
Dottie xoxoxox

Hi Bubba

I think you are right that if we were meant to go now, we'd be gone. It's kind of like what Dottie said, that if things were meant to be any other way, they would be and they're not, so that's proof that things are what they "should" be. So we can let it drag us down or try to make the best. The injustice of Ziggy's death is what haunts me the most, and I must somehow make peace with this. But someone else told me that sometimes thing happen that become our "calling" and I know this incident has made it imperative that I talk about the value of animals in a more public way. Tearing myself up over what happened doesn't help her or me, so I feel like I have to use my feelings in some more "productive" way, though sometimes I don't feel very productive at all.

I do believe they will be there for us on the other side - for that reason death becomes a more pleasing idea, not in a sense of going before my time, but looking forward to the reunion.

take care and thanks.

your friend Jan.

Hi Dottie - oh what a "meaty" post - I love hearing your thoughts on dreams and other things.

I can't wait for the book to arrive - it's a children's book with a story about an Angel Cat who saves a family, but only the children can see her. I can't wait to see more of the kitty pic's and the artwork.

QUOTE (AngelCareOne @ Nov 11 2008, 02:24 AM)

Jan, I don't know why you don't dream about Ziggy and Zita but I have a darned good idea why I don't dream about Alex. Well, put it this way ... I did have one very, very vivid dream about Alex one time. It was either Nov. 26, 2007 or Nov. 27, 2007. I did not know I was dreaming, knew I was awake, I can tell you everything about that dream which was so joyful, joyful! It was immediately after having that dream when I experienced the first of what I can only describe as nervous breakdowns. I've never had a nervous breakdown in my life but it does fit the online description. I think I told you about them, there were 2 times, how long they lasted and how they manifested really bizarre stuff. Oy. So, my best guess when it comes to myself is that I don't dream about Alex because my psyche just can't take it. Can't handle it. I hope that made sense. Again, that's just me and it's just an educated guess.

I gotcha. That makes sense. In Gordon Smith's books about mediumship, sometimes he just can't get a connection to a loved one, but he feels there are reasons for this. Sometimes maybe they know things about the future that might not be helpful to us at the present time. One thing I've noticed, is that when I really, really want someone to come through, they just don't. But as I "let go", they do come in eventually. For example, a friend of mine died in a helicopter crash and I wanted so much to get a message from him, but I didn't. Then months later I had a dream where he just passed me in the hall and asked how I was, and it was like everything was normal and nothing had really changed. When I woke up I realized it was his way of saying hi and that everything was perfectly okay. Maybe those in the spirit world sometimes want us to move on a bit more in our lives so that we don't continually obsess over them - if we saw them every night, perhaps it would be harder to move on? Or maybe they also need time in their transition. I don't know. Did you ever see the film "Truly, Madly, Deeply"? It's about a woman who loses her partner and can't move on with her life. Then her dead husband starts visiting, and brings along lots of his spirit friends. Eventually she has to make a choice to either continue with her dead husband or move on with her real earth life... I suppose there are lessons to be learned there...

QUOTE

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I'm not sure if you're aware about some things concerning sleep cycles during uninterrupted sleep. Let's say for example you fall asleep and do not wake up for at least 5 to 7 hours. During that time, one experiences several REM (rapid eye movent) periods of different dreams and in-between each dream, there are blank gaps so to speak. If one does is not interrupted and does sleep those 5 to 7 to 8 hours then you will best remember the very first dream or dreams you had as well as the very last dream or dreams you had during that time. You may or may not remember at all any of the dreams which happened in the middle part of your sleep cycle. I hope I'm explaining this well.
....
Anyway, anytime a student volunteered for any experiments pertaining to any subject they were taking, we either got paid something like $5.00 or more depending upon the amount of time and involvement of that experiment. Or, we would receive extra credit for that class.

My Gawd. You shoulda seen them poor volunteers after a few days being deprived of REM sleep which is, like I said, when we dream. Yep, pretty much like in the movies be they comedies or otherwise. I would tell you all the stages they went through up to the point of either hallucinating or having waking dreams but it wasn't pretty. Poor kids. Better them than me. Oh, I am so bad.

This is true what you said about sleep cycles - funny you should mention it because the night before last I "think" I dreamed that I saw Ziggy, but then remembered her dead body... but it is so vague I almost wonder if it was just a thought and not a dream. I think it may have been in that middle part of my sleep cycle, so maybe I am having more visits than I actually remember.

And wow, those experiments - that must have been something to witness! Better to experiment with willing humans than helpless animals! What kinds of things did they do or say? I find human psychology so fascinating - we are a weird bunch, aren't we, as a species!?

QUOTE

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Dang. I hope I'm making sense.

Oh yes, that makes perfect sense to me. And not boring at all, very fascinating!

And regarding Cesar Milan, well if he happens to be hanging around these boards, perhaps he'll contact me! Well, I know that's not likely, but my Asha needs a lot of help. I will post a pic of her here so you (or anyone else) can send her your healing thoughts.

Dottie - thanks for all your thoughts, I always like hearing your point of view and you have so much to offer here.

take care and lotsa love

Jan

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