I've opened my mind sooooo much to the idea that pet's spirits can either remain here with us, or at least that they can visit us. This is going to the point that I lose sleep, trying to keep the channels open in my head to every sound, shadow, feeling. I look everywhere when walking across the house. Some might say I've already been visited by him. The second morning after Punky was laid to rest, I dreamed of him last thing before I woke. I was having an unrelated dream, or maybe I wasn't dreaming at all. When all of the sudden, his face filled my view. He looked so soft and smiling gently. I noticed something wierd, which is that he had one eye that was still white from blindness, but the other eye was deep and black with vision restored. He said something to me in the sweetest child's voice. "Hi Mommy!" It sounded like some combination of Mommy/Daddy/Buddy.... I don't know which he said. But then he came closer and kissed me like he used when he wanted me to wake up. I discounted this as just a dream because of the mismatched eyes. But last night I thought of an interpretation which might explain the blind eye and the sighted eye, if any interpretation exists. In life he was 100% blind in his last 8 months in life. Presumably, in the "afterlife" you are perfect. So maybe he is telling me that he is both here in the physical world, and also in the other realm - he visits both. Maybe I just wish he did.

In the two nights or so after he died, I heard him everywhere. At the time I didn't even think it was really him. Rather, just my memory of him, and being so accustomed to hearing his sounds.

My sister was over last night, and she told me as she was leaving that she thinks she saw him twice in the hall. I didn't see or feel anything after she left.

My mom was elated when she learned that he died at home. "Well honey! He might still be there then!" I told her that I wanted him to be wherever he is happiest, I want him to run and play and have friends, and that I can't imagine following me around as a spirit can be a fulfilling way to live when he cannot interact with me. She said "well what if being near you is exactly what makes him happiest?" I said "Then I am so happy for him, but I wish I could have a sign so I would know he is there"...

...and I've been searching for a sign ever since.

I'm going kinda loopy! LOL

Dear Punky's Mommy,
I'm sure what you saw and what your sister saw must have brought you a lot of comfort. It is not hard for me to believe that our babies are indeed able to visit us. My sister has said that her baby comes around now and then and most often when she is sad and needs comfort. My husband said he felt Chili Bean get on the bed and lay down with him. I sure want to see my darling Snookie girl whether it be in a dream, a vision, or even as a shadow.
Love, Ann

After Bubba died I put his picture on the dresser. We were playing a game of solitare on the computer when a chinese meditation ball all of a sudden rolled off the dresser where bubbas picture was and went crashing to the floor. Was it a sign? I really hope so.....

I also had another startling thought last night in my sleeplessness. What if Punky's spirit is literally residing inside of me?? Is it possible? When I think of him, my heart is so filled with his spirit that I feel like I am tapped right into his very essense. I almost lose all sensation of my own self when I feel this way.

It's hard to believe that heaven is "some other place" - we tend to describe things in reference to our present lives but when we are spirits we will have totally different senses and ways to interact with the universe...

I think we try to ease our fear of the afterlife by describing it in "physical" terms - which seems kind of silly when I think of it

I hope that heaven is inside of us, around us, and everywhere. Just the same way that Christians believe God is all around us and everywhere.

But a basic tenet of science is that "energy cannot be created or destroyed" - that means it's somewhere.

If anyone wants a nice picture of heaven rent the Robin Williams movie "What Dreams May Come"... That version of heaven is one I hold on to.

Just in case I thought I had a shred of sanity left .....

Last night the thought of dogs at the pound came to mind. And one in particular captured my attention with his lively eyes and big smile. My heart was warmed by the the thought of him. And then I was like "What's going on? I'm thinking about another dog?! Yuck!" I pondered it for a few minutes, pushing out the guilty thought that another dog could possibly bring me as much happiness as Punky! Then it clicked! It was Punky sending me a message. He was telling me that he could assume the body of this dog who is at the pound at this very moment, and if I wanted to I could go get him, and I'd have Punky again! I was so relieved that it was Punky smiling through those dog's eyes! I wasn't cheating on him! But then I had to tell Punky no. We don't want to have a dog again, and quite frankly, I'm probably deluding myself, so here I would have this dog who is not Punky, yet I would always wonder.

Oh, a shrink would have a field day with my imagination!! LOL

I have always liked their version of Hell too. Its not the eternal lake of fire for unbelievers. Its a place you are stuck until you figure out your problems and understand the wrongs that you have done in your life.

I was at a party once and got into a group conversation with the following people: a **ian pastor, a catholic priest, a buddhist priest and an anglican minister. We came to a conclusion, after many minutes of fascinating and respectful discussion, that there is no hell.

This was my position from the start for one simple reason. Imagine if the Christian idea of heaven is true. That after we die, we are judged by the creator. I submitted that it is impossible for any mortal or immortal being to look upon the glory of a creator-being without instantly being truly repentful of all of the things you have done that would prevent you from becoming one with that creator.

No human, no matter how evil or cruel, is anything other than human. And any human, knowing that they are wrong - and that their errors will prevent them from joining with a creator - would immediately be truly repentant.

It is said that even Satan continues his fight with heaven over his jealousy and resentment at being cast out. How then, could we - as living beings - resist the beauty and power of a creator?

The creator has many names, hell is rejecting the creator not acknowledging him, living life like it doesnt matter, and dying with out him, hell is seperation from the creator. Even though the creators has put in all mans hearts that he exist. I have seen people who's life has moved into a differnt spitural understanding, you can see the light through thier eyes. the only difference I can see is beleiving Christ died for our weakness and sin and we dont have to do it again, as opposed to keep on doing it until you get it right. Just my belief I guess. All love and compassion in us comes from the father, we only know a little tiny bit of what love really is. Pamela

HI everyone I was just reading your stories and had to respond I lost my angel Muffin 3 years ago and I loved her with all my heart and always will I still cry at times when I think of her and I still can see her cute little face and big black eyes watching me she went everywhere with me even to work she would sleep on my pillow next to me at night I can still feel her and hear her breathing at times . After she was gone a year I got 2 new puppies I love dearly but they will not replace Muffin in my heart. The one named Daisy I swear is part of my Muffin She acts and does so many thing like my Muffin and I just found out 2 weeks ago she also has patella in her back legs and she was born with under size kidneys .Believe me she will get the best care I can give her. I look at her and ask her is Muffin in there with you and she will jump up in my lap and licks my face and I have to laugh at her . This is the scary part I went to a dog physic she relays messages to you from your deceased pet she did not know any thing about me and she told me you just got 2 new puppies and I said yes she said will your past dog said to tell you they are a nuisance to me and tell them to calm down But she approved of them (Thank God) Well I about fell out of my chair that was 6 months ago and I still wonder if Muffin is here with me and when I fell her present is it for real. Sandy ...

I just brought Bubbas ashes home and when I held the urn I could feel a tingling up my arm. It felt like it had a weak electrical current. His essence is all around this house and he is with me.... You may think I am crazy but really I am not. I have felt this before...