Hi, All. I recently started posting here after the sudden death of our beloved greyhound Britney Boopers. The support I've received has been incredible and incredibly comforting and helpful.

Two things happened recently that I believe were God's way of helping me through this.

The day after Britney died, I prayed loudly to God to help me deal with this. I was begging. Beseeching.
That very day, the enormously heavy grey cloud that was over me very suddenly lifted. It was so sudden! I also felt a rush of strength. It was a palpable, tangible feeling of strength that rushed into my body. It was a feeling of brightness that I felt in my whole being. It felt like a river of bright strength coursing through me.
I attribute it to God answering my prayer for help.

The next day (yesterday), I was driving to do some errands. I normally play my cds when I drive. I NEVER listen to the radio. But, yesterday, I decided to turn on the radio instead.

The first thing I heard was a commercial advertising some sort of research or conference or talk show on how to cope after we have lost a loved one. STRANGE, I thought.

I flipped to another channel. They were playing the tail end of Beyonce's "Halo." I had never listened to it before, but I was listening now!

The lyrics from the part of the song I heard:
Everywhere I'm looking now
I'm surrounded by your embrace
Baby I can see your halo
You know you're my saving grace
You're everything I need and more
It's written all over your face
Baby I can feel your halo
Pray it won't fade away

Chorus :
I can't feel your halo halo halo
I can see your halo halo halo
I can feel your halo halo halo
I can see your halo halo halo

Hit me like a ray of sun
Burning through my darkest night
You're the only one that I want
Think I'm addicted to your light
I swore I'd never fall again
But this don't even feel like falling
Gravity can't begin
To pull me back to the ground again

I can't feel your halo halo halo
I can see your halo halo halo
I can feel your halo halo halo
I can see your halo halo halo

WOW!!!
Well, it gets better. The NEXT song was Hall and Oates' "She's Gone."

Lyrics:
Everybody's high on consolation
Everybody's trying to tell me what's right for me
My daddy tried to bore me with a sermon
but it's plain to see that they can't comfort me

Sorry Charlie for the imposition
I think I've got it, got the strength to carry on
I need a drink and a quick decision
Now it's up to me, ooh what will be

Chorus:
She's Gone Oh I, Oh I'd
better learn how to face it
She's Gone Oh I, Oh I'd
pay the devil to replace her
She's Gone - what went wrong

Up in the morning look in the mirror
I'm worn as her tooth brush hanging in the stand
my face ain't looking any younger
now I can see love's taken her toll on me

She's Gone

Think I'll spend eternity in the city
let the carbon and monoxide choke my thoughts away
and pretty bodies help dissolve the memories
but they can never be what she was to me

She's Gone


OH MY GOSH!!!!!


Have you had similar experiences? Signs from God or your pet?

Maybe.

Hunny died Saturday April 4th, and on the following Tuesday, while I was at work I heard Alan Jackson's song - Sissy song. It's about a young woman who passes away. The song says, she flew to heaven on the wings of angels, don't worry about me. When I heard this song, I knew this was describing Hunny's personality. She was a dog with a tough exterior, but gentle and loving on the inside.


Sissy's song.

Why did she have to go
So young I just don't know why
Things happen half the time
Without reason without rhyme
Lovely, sweet young woman
Daughter, wife and mother
Makes no sense to me
I just have to believe

She flew up to Heaven on the wings of angels
By the clouds and stars and passed where no one sees
And she walks with Jesus and her loved ones waiting
And I know she's smiling saying
Don't worry 'bout me

Loved ones she left behind
Just trying to survive
And understand the why
Feeling so lost inside
Anger shot straight at God
Then asking for His love
Empty with disbelief
Just hoping that maybe

She flew up to Heaven on the wings of angels
By the clouds and stars and passed where no one sees
And she walks with Jesus and her loved ones waiting
And I know she's smiling saying
Don't worry 'bout me

It's hard to say goodbye
Her picture in my mind
Will always be of times I'll cherish
And I won't cry 'cause

She flew up to Heaven on the wings of angels
By the clouds and stars and passed where no one sees
And she walks with jesus and her loved ones waiting
And I know she's smiling saying
Don't worry 'bout me
Don't worry 'bout me
Don`t worry 'bout me


Every time I hear this song it makes me cry, but at the same time, there is something comforting about it. I like to believe that she is smiling down on us. Lily too. Lily's song is Carrie Underwood's Just a dream.

Dear britneysmom:

I have not yet received a sign but can truly relate to God giving you peace and strength. I lost my baby Duke just last week on Friday, July 31st. I thought I would die from the pain. My heart was completely broken and I thought for sure it would kill me. While crying my eyes out for 3 days straight (literally), I constantly prayed for peace. I couldn't eat, I couldn't sleep. My stomach was in knots and I could not stop thinking about my baby constantly and feeling guilty b/c he was gone so suddenly (Duke was hit by a car). Through my tears I just prayed for peace, strength, and the ability to accept what I could not change. Then yesterday morning I woke up, and although my heart was heavy, the pain was a little dimmer. I was able to talk about Duke without completely breaking down and actually smile at some of the memories.

God is so good and when you call on him, he always seems to be there to pick you up and carry you when you can't carry yourself. I miss Duke so much and will always love him but have come to realize that he came into my life for a reason if nothing more than to remind the meaning of unconditional love. I will always be grateful to him for that. He reminded me about the importance of living life to the fullest and just letting your hair down and having a blast. I had forgotten that. I may think he went to soon but this was all in God's perfect plan for my life.

My family wants to get another puppy and I was dead set against it but am now warming to the idea. Duke would want us to share our love with another puppy the same way we shared it with him. He was my baby and meant so much to me. He taught me how to live again and although it hurts I owe it to him to do just that!

Dukesmom

Losing a loved one certainly does put life into perspective doesn't it?

I used to put work first. There were days when I should have been at home with my daugther when she was sick. There were days I should've been home because I was sick. But I always had to come into work. When Lily died, I had to be here the next day to do payroll. I was so distraught at losing her so suddenly the night before - all I did was cry all day. And now all I have is resentment for my job. I hate it here. It no longer comes first anymore. There are still times when I have to be here, but I will never put this place ahead of my family ever again.

When Lily died it opened up my eyes. I knew I loved her with all of my heart and soul, but when they are taken so suddenly like she was - your whole world turns upside down. I know there are some people who will never understand the unconditional love of a pet or know how it feels to give back to them - they are missing out on so much. I actually feel sorry for them. It hurts like crazy when we lose our loved ones, but I would not trade one second of the time I had with them.

I am not a religious person, but I choose to believe that there has to be something more than this. And I hope with all of my being that I will be with my angels one day.

I miss all of my babies (and there have been quite a few over the years).

I thank everyone here on this website who have offered wise advice and comforting words to me over the past four months. It is so much appreciated - you can never know how much I have needed all of this.

Thank you.

Hi britneysmom, first off I'd like to say I'm sorry about your loss of your greyhound Britney. I lost my Keesha 5 weeks ago today. As for your original question I had something very strange happen to me at the vet today. I recently got a puppy and took her in for her shots. Just a little backgrounfd info first...My parents had a dog named Sasha who passed away a couple years ago...my dog Keesha and her were buddies. They loved to play together. Anyway, at the animal hospital today a girl walked in with two huskies and sat down beside me while we were waiting to get in. I asked her what the names of her dogs were....she said Sasha and Keesha. My jaw dropped, I couldn't believe it. I mean what are the chances of that happening? Maybe it was just a coincidence but i'd like to believe its a sign from God telling me Sasha and Keesha are there with him playing together once again:)

wow!!! trevor that's amazing!!!!!!! made me smile heaps.
britneysmom I'm glad you had some of your prayers answered.
elaine

I dream vividly of both my babies, Sasha and Lucky. When I wake up, my hand is actually raised off the bed as if to touch and pet them. I lost Sasha July 15 and Lucky August 2. I think they visit to let me know they are near and waiting for it to be my time. We will be together again someday!

Blessings,
Nisey

I haven't felt anything specific yet, but I do try to think of these words from the book Dog Heaven and hope that Magnus will come back to visit us, if only to see how we're doing:

----

Dogs in Dog Heaven have almost always belonged to somebody on Earth and, of course, the dogs remember this. Heaven is full of memories. So sometimes an angel will walk a dog back to Earth for a little visit and quietly, invisibly, the dog will sniff about his old backyard, will investigate the cat next door, will follow the child to school, will sit on the front porch and wait for the mail. And when he is satisfied that all is well, the dog will return to Heaven with the angel. It is where dogs belong, near God who made them.

beautiful

Tokolos - that's so beautiful - made me cry - but beautiful.

I miss my angels Hunny and Lily. I haven't noticed any signs that they've come back. I miss them so much.

Tokolos that is beautiful. Thanks for sharing.

I know that on the day my Harley died I was looking for any sign that he was ok. Well, this past Christmas I got a birdbath for my yard. I love birds and Harley knew this as he would never chase them when they were in our yard. Well, he laid near me as I assembled and built the stand and watched as I filled it up, only to see no birds come to the darn thing for almost 6 weeks. On the night he died, I stared out into the yard where he laid when I picked him up after he walked his last walk into the yard. I felt incredibly sad and overcome with grief when all of a sudden this tiny little starling landed on the edge of the birdbath, took a drink, then proceeded to quickly wash itself. It gave me comfort and a realization that Harley was out there happy and healthy and still making me happy.

A couple days later I heard this song and it brought me comfort. Maybe he's singing it or maybe I'm singing it for him.

Somewhere Out There
(Steve Earle)

Somewhere out there in the world tonight
Just out of my reach
I hear your heart beat
Comin' in loud and clear tonight
Poundin' in my brain
Callin' out your name

In the darkness something binds you to me
So that I can find you
When you want me
I will be there
Waiting on you

Somewhere out there
In there in your heart tonight
Where I have never gone
You are not alone
It is tearing me all apart alright
But girl (boy) what can I do
When I'm so far from you

And when I lay me down to sleep
My one and only prayer is you'll keep
Safe from harm until I get
Wherever you are
Somewhere out there

If you're sad or if you're lonely
If you’re scared, if you're only
Tired of fightin'
Seekin' shelter
Just hold on I'm
Somewhere out there

Somewhere out there in the world tonight
Just out of your reach
You'll hear my heart beat

Peace & Love
Ben

So beautiful.

What a gorgeous little angel.

Dogs in Dog Heaven have almost always belonged to somebody on Earth and, of course, the dogs remember this. Heaven is full of memories. So sometimes an angel will walk a dog back to Earth for a little visit and quietly, invisibly, the dog will sniff about his old backyard, will investigate the cat next door, will follow the child to school, will sit on the front porch and wait for the mail. And when he is satisfied that all is well, the dog will return to Heaven with the angel. It is where dogs belong, near God who made them.

how beautiful. thank you tokolos!!! and harley parley, wow it is so hard to read the beautiful lyrics. cant do it without losing it. what a beautiful beautiful dog harley is. what an angelic face. you are all in my thoughts and prayers
patricia

I have loved the book Dog Heaven since my parents' dog died in 1999. I was never able to read that book without crying, but now it really hits me how beautiful it is and how I hope with every bit of my heart that it's true.

WOW, Trevor! That's incredible. My jaw dropped, too!

Oh, Nisey, I feel for you. Yes, I also think your dreams are their way of letting you know they're happy and waiting eagerly for you.

Harley, that's beautiful. I'm imagining that little "bird" perched on the bird bath saying hi to you!

Tokolos, that made me cry! So beautiful. Thanks for the reminder that our loved ones aren't really gone, just out of view sometimes, and watching us from another beautiful, perfect dimension.

Something weird happened today.

I bought a little book on pet loss with some exercises in it.
One was to ask yourself what your pet would want you to do, if they could tell you. I asked myself, the answer came to me straight away from nowhere, I didn't even think about it, Frankie wants me to love myself in the same way that he loved me. With the same devotion and care.

Then, later, the book suggests that you ask your pet for a sign that his/her spirit is present. So I closed my eyes and visualised my beautiful dog, and asked him for a sign. Immediately, absolutely immediately, and I am not kidding here, the dog who lives 2 doors away just suddenly starting barking madly and joyfully, as if he was trying to tell me how much fun he was having! Instead of crying, I burst out laughing, and kept smiling for a very long time. It was definitely a sign and he was telling me he was having a ball!

I am very reassured that I can talk to Frankie any time I need to, and he will be there for me.

He also keeps sending me little "presents", really nice little surprises that I don't expect. e.g. just one example, I looked at a skirt in a shop several months ago, but never had time to try it on. I've looked at it several times since. Today, I walked past and there was a sign "clearance" and the price was marked down from $129 to $90. Not bad, I thought, and bought it without trying it on. I got to the checkout and it scanned as $45 - half the already reduced price. Then I got home, thought, I'd better try it on because I'll have to alter it so it fits me properly. Put it on and, yes, you guessed it, it fits perfectly. And what a bargain.

My baby is looking after me, even now, bless him. I keep dreaming about him, that I'm holding him, and he is beautifully warm and soft and content as he always was. Perhaps he's trying to tell me that he's okay. In the dreams, it feels like I'm actually touching him and he talks to me like he used to IRL.

I'm not particularly religious or spiritual but I'm now convinced that animals and humans have a spirit which lives on forever. I love him forever, always have, always will.

HTH
deb

We had to put Tasha down a week ago tomorrow. One of the hardest decisions I've had to make emotionally, but one of the easiest on paper. I've been so afraid I'd forget little stuff about her that I typed it up in a letter and printed it. But an odd thing happened, I've been humming "100 Years" not so much because of the lyrics, but more for the chords. Minor chords are what resonate right now. But the song is a little on the older side and doesn't get as much play on the radio stations. I had to go to work the next day - I'd been mourning everyday for a month BEFORE we put her to sleep, knowing it wouldn't be much longer. I figured it was better than staying at home crying myself sick. It helped some. Having had depression before I know it's better to find small things to focus on for short periods to give yourself an emotional "break" from it all. I also have latent OCD that flares up under stress and illness (another reason NOT to stay home), and the song just kept going through my head. On my way home that night I was changed radio stations, and there it was. It just seemed too much to be coincidence. Spiritually I'm surrounded by either atheists or evangelists, so I've been questioning EVERYTHING since Tasha died, but it was such unexpected comfort, like a connection with whomever or whatever knew I needed that right now.

I found this site yesterday, and I have to say you've all already done so much for me. Yesterday at work was probably the first where I've felt okay for most of the day. To know that what I'm feeling is absolutely normal is a godsend. Geez, what did people do before the Internet? Thank you all.

Lori

I don't know if this really counts as a sign from God or from Callie or if it's even a sign. I lost Callie 5 weeks ago today to Hemangiosarcoma. Choosing to end her life was an easy decision that has proven very hard to live with. For the first time in almost 14 years I was home alone when I got home from work. The silence was killing me. We went to a nearby shelter and brought home Sandy. She is a great dog and we are learning about each other as we build a friendship. I've had her now for 3 1/2 weeks and she still won't sleep beside my bed where Callie slept, nor will she stay in the computer room where Callie and I spent so much time together, nor will she go to the garden with me in the mornings like Callie always did. It's as if Callie is still present and guarding her territory. I don't "feel" her presence, but I swear Sandy does. I take comfort thinking Callie is still with me.

Oh, dear Chele, your post made me smile! Callie is very much alive and well in spirit, and Sandy certainly knows that!

It's as if Callie is still alive. It may take a while, but the two of them will learn to share you, and hopefully Callie will gradually inch over and make a little space for Sandy.

Callie's obviously top dog, even in the after life! :-)

I'm also getting a new dog, in a few weeks, so it will be interesting to see what happens. I was going to use Frankie's old bed, but I think I'd better get a new one!

take care
deb

Hi Lori,

Thanks for your lovely post about the song you'd been humming - no co-incidence, I'm sure, that it came on the radio.

I too have had depression in the past, so I'm extra careful about managing my grief. I've had to take special care making sure I get out of the house but not letting myself get too exhausted when I'm out. Eating healthy food, drinking lots of water, getting enough rest, etc., all these little things are crucial.

Also, having cared for my little dog for so long (I mourned him for years before he actually died - the vet told me when he was TWO that he wouldn't live very long, and he lived until he was 17 1/2!!!) it's my turn to spoil myself a little. I had a gift voucher from a clothing store which my husband gave me for Christmas. I finally went and used it! (Only took 8 months LOL).

Little things like watching a favourite comedy show, or making a cup of tea, are so important. Take care of your sweet self, Lori, and do please stay in touch.

hugs
deb

Deb, yup, Callie is top dog! *LOL* She always had such an attitude.

Oddly enough, Sandy will sleep on Skeeters bed and even goes into Skeeters "bedroom". Seems strange to me she's more respectful of a dead dog than the live one!

...and so she should be :-) The live one can still challenge her LOL

I had the most disturbing dream last night.

I had been diagnosed with terminal cancer. My husband left me because of it. On the last day of my life I went to some kind of party, and everyone I know was there. I visited with them all, and took pictures with my cell phone, as if somehow I could take the phone and their pictures with me when I passed. I walked through a city and came to a vehicle, could have been a hearse or ambulance, I don't know. Two women I know were in it. The invited me in and had me lay on a backboard/bed type thing that seemed to be like an air mattress. For some reason my feet were up by the steering wheel. I asked them if they were sure this was where they wanted me, because I was about to die you know, and I didn't want to be in the way. They assured me I was in the right place. I showed them how bad the edema was in my leg and then I laid down. I felt myself start to slip away, my whole body started tingling like it does when a foot "falls asleep" and I started calling for Callie over and over again. "Callie! Callie! Callie!", like I was calling her to me. I must have yelled her name dozens of times before I passed. Her name was on my lips when I died.

And then I woke up. I did not have any feeling of shortness of breath like I sometimes do. But I kept asking myself, "Am I alive?" as I laid there, heard my husband snore, the alarm went off, and I knew I was still alive.

Did I actually die in my sleep and Callie saved me? Was it a message from Callie to call her and she'd be there when my time comes? Or was it just a very intense and realistic dream with no meaning whatsoever? I don't suppose I'll ever really know, but I can say one thing for certain; I'm a bit nervous to sleep again, half afraid I won't wake up! And yet, my first feeling upon waking was one of comfort, as if now I know what it is like to die, and that Callie and I will be together again when the time comes.

Very very disturbing.