While I had believed in an afterlife for some time, it was still an esoteric concept, hard to wrap the brain around, simply because we just can’t know with the same kind of certainty that we know so many other things. It’s not tangible to us; it’s a concept, and that can be hard to fully embrace. Or at least it was, until Ace died.
Just 17 days after Ace died, I was reading Animals and the Afterlife, by Kim Sheridan. I finished reading Chapter 15, Signs & Messages, filled with stories of people seeing signs like appearing butterflies, birds, etc, which they took to indicate the presence of their recently departed pet. I put the book down and sighed, saying out loud that I would like a sign like that, too.
I went to take a shower, and about 15 minutes later, walked toward my front door, which was open, and there I saw a beautiful butterfly, on my porch. There had been a mattress pad, folded in half, across the bed, and Ace had been laying on it when he died. Afterwards, I folded it again and hung it over the porch railing. It was on the mattress pad that the butterfly found its resting spot. I was stunned and overjoyed; I took photos of it and spoke to the butterfly, thanking it for coming to me so quickly.
About a week later, I decided to try to find out what kind of butterfly it was, as I didn’t recognize it. I did a search using the butterfly’s colors, and quickly learned that it wasn’t just any butterfly, but the most appropriate of all; it was the Mourning Cloak. As if a Monarch wouldn’t suffice, Ace had to be absolutely certain I couldn’t doubt his message that he was indeed still with me.
I know this will be an unpopular posting but I want to weigh in on this. I love my dog very much and the thought of losing him is terrible to think of but I will not see my dog in heaven. Common sense and the nature of the soul shows this out.
I’m not sure what you mean by ‘the nature of the soul shows this out’, but thank you for your comments. I understand that people have differing thoughts on the afterlife, as I mentioned in my post, because it isn’t something that is tangible (typically) to those of us here on earth. However, for me, I had a number of direct experiences that were indeed tangible, some of which were so personal that I’ve chosen not to write about and share at this time. But I know without a doubt – not think or believe – but know that my dog’s spirit, his soul, is still very much alive, and that’s so much more than just a comforting thought to me!
Brianna, I just lost my dog yesterday he was a puggle as well. He was more than just a dog, he was my best friend and had such a personality full of love. He became paralyzed over the weekend unexpectedly and was unable to control his bladder. We did all we could but we had to let him go. I held him in the room as they put him down. He was in so much pain and I had to be selfless and let him find peace. I know he is in a better place, I just wish that place was in my lap cuddling me again. The pain is deep. I am 37 weeks pregnant expecting my first baby and was so excited for my dog to meet my baby. All i know is he is still here around me. The love we had for one another was more than anything I have ever known. Dogs are the best.
Malinda, I’m so sorry for your sudden loss. I’m happy for you that you know Joey is still around you! I’m sure that he is too and doing all he can to bring you comfort. The love between a dog and his (or her) person is really one of the deepest, purest loves there is I believe, which is one of the things that make the loss so great. You are so right when you say “dogs are the best.” I wish you peace and blessings as you bring your new baby into the world. I’m sure Joey will indeed meet your little one in spirit.
I just lost my dog today. He got loose for the first time ever and was hit by a car. I am devistated and heart broken. He had so much love and loyalty for me that he miraculously made it back home to my front step with 3 broken legs and countless other injuries. I did all i could. I took him to 3 vets that could not save him. The decision was made (by far the hardest i’ve had to make thus far in my life) to put him down. It was unbarable but i was with him until he took his last breath. He was not only my companion but my everything as i have no children and he was my everything. I can’t stop crying and I came accross this page that gave me some sense of comfort. I don’t know what to do without my boy Marty…It’s the worst i’ve felt about anything as far as i can remember. He was the greatest dog a person could ask for (a puggle). He was a free spirit and had a sense of wonder and couldnt help himself when he had the ONE chance to run free. I, for one, need to believe that his soul and spirit rose to heaven and I need for it to be true. So this story helped me. Not everyone feels the way that the first post described. I just wanted you to know that. Your story about the butterfly is truly amazing and fantastic and I can only hope to have signs similar to this. Thanks for the inspiration and my condolences to you for your wonderful dog Ace. I will keep him in my prayers and if you could do me a favor and say one for Marty…..I’d appreciate it so much. Thanks again
Aw, Brianna, I am so very sorry. I just emailed you, but I also wanted to reply here to your comment. Please know that you are not alone…. Marty’s spirit is with you, and I am sending so much love to you as well. I know how painful it is and the feelings of devastation and heartbreak that come when we lose our beloved dogs. You and Marty are in my prayers. I am sure that he is pain free and simply a sphere of love hovering near to comfort you. Stay focused on your heart and your love for Marty as much as possible, rather than guilt, loneliness, etc. It is through love that you will most easily connect with him and feel his presence.
I just lost my best friend on Wednesday. She was a little pug and the cutest, best dog I could possibly ask for. Stella was my first dog and we had such a strong bond that I feel lost without her – like a part of me has died. I searched the Internet for some relief and came across Animals and the Afterlife. Now, well into the book, I am searching, hoping, wishing, and praying for a sign that she’s still with me and is ok. Thanks for your post about the butterfly. It is encouraging.
Mindy, I’m so sorry you lost Stella. I do know how very hard it is and my heart goes out to you. A small piece of advice is not to search too hard for a sign from Stella. You’ve asked for one, now see if you can let go of needing it. Have you ever experienced something like losing your keys, only to find them when you stop looking? Or forget what you were going to say and remember only when you moved on to something else? Your sign from Stella will likely come that way too. Ask for the sign, then let go. Keep your heart open, but relax and allow it to reveal itself to you. I can assure you Stella’s beautiful sweet soul is very much alive and she will sure visit you!
omg
i feel the same here
my didi was 10
she had tumors on brain and neck
the last few weeks she was aggressive with my 1 year old baby coz he try to play wit her
he was touching her neck and she was in pain
i slap her arse not to b aggressive wit my baby and yelled at her …
i feel guilty and nasty .. i didn’t know she was sick i cant believe she gone in only 4 days ..
i cry every day and i lost my willing to live.. but i have two babies and i need to b strong
I’m so sorry to hear about Didi. Didi is in spirit now and has shown you through the butterflies that she is with you. She has come to comfort you, as our dogs do when they die. I understand your feelings of guilt, but Didi coming to comfort you shows you that she forgives you and now it is important for you to forgive yourself. You did not know she was sick, you couldn’t have known at that time. You can still talk to her, tell her you are sorry. It can be very helpful to write a letter to your dog and express all the things you want to say to her. Then write a letter from her back to you. Let her feelings come through you, don’t try to “make up” what she would say, but instead, hear her spirit speak to you. She loves you just as unconditionally now as she did when her body was with you!
I lost my best friend, my love, my life, on 6th of June. I knew she was not in good health as she was almost ten and but the thought of losing her in a matter of hours never crossed my mind. On Sunday she was eating, cuddling and happy, she got sick and died Monday morning. Just like that. My companion and comforter for ten years is gone. The past few weeks before her death, I was engaged in other staffs and didn’t pay attention to her and I was promising her to give her a good long walk that she likes after I’m done with what was keeping me busy. And the morning she died, I yelled at her for peeing on the floor not knowing that she was seriously sick and a few minutes later, she lost control of her body. I play the moment in my head over and over again. Everything reminds me of her and I can’t stop crying.
The idea of afterlife for animals is so comforting that I wish I could be fully convinced like I know for sure there is one for all human beings. I was going through biblical references, and I’m sold on to the idea that since there is nothing concrete regarding it, we all can hope for to see our pets that we love in a love that is Heavenly like.
Oh gosh, I’m so sorry to hear how you lost your sweet girl. No matter how it happens it can be devastating, and circumstances can ease the pain or enhance it. While it is human nature to replay moments again and again, particularly painful moments (we humans tend to punish ourselves), it serves no one and will only create suffering. There is a saying “pain is inevitable, suffering is optional”, and this is what it means. You will experience the pain of loss, yes. But it is replaying those moments and sitting in guilt that will create suffering. Your sweet girl would never want you to suffer. She would be the first to comfort and forgive and tell you she loves you, no matter how it played out. You most honor her by saying thank you and accepting her loving kindness and forgiveness, rather than berating yourself for any sense of wrongdoing on your part.
I know without a doubt that our dogs’ spirits live beyond their bodies. I also know that in spirit they are able to comfort us as they did while they were here with us physically. Ask your girl for a sign that she is with you. Fill your heart with all the love you have for her, focus on your heart and ask her to let you know she is near. And then go about your day; a sign will show when you are not looking, not forcing or ‘needing’ it, but rather when you are present to your life, in the moment, appreciating the beauty that is still around you. You will know then that she is near.
i lost my pet dog.. I gave him food on 14th june 2016 around 8 pm .. there were other street dogs .. but next morning i found that he is dead ..and a small other dog is also dog.. i cannot tolerate my pain ohh god , can u please create him one more time???? with prayers .. i dont know that my dog has a soul or not can u help me
hello i just lost this week my 10 year old shar pei Didi
my girl.she suffer 4 days and i didn’t know why she was in so much pain.. i take her to 4 vets in spain were i live now.. she had mri and we find out she had 2 tumors on brain and 1 in the neck
the worst time of my life, i die with her my soul is empty
well the day she past .. one month, butterfly keep coming inside around us and around her dish
was in and out in and out fly around us