Pet Ghosts - True Stories of Ghost Animals at Dreamwatch®
Ghosts, spirits, a presence, call them what you want. When they appear, we know something strange is happening. Pets can become like family or best friends and we miss them when they're gone. Sometimes we still feel them nuzzle next to us, hear their little footsteps in the hall, or the jingling tags on their collars. Sometimes we see them. It seems they remain among us even after they've passed.
Read what others wrote when they felt the presence of a beloved pet—back from the other side:
Service Dog barks a final goodbye from the hereafter
(Edited for length—It's still long, but well worth reading about the life of a dedicated and heroic dog who served his community.)
I am more than convinced that dog sprits are for real and no one could tell me different … Marcas left this material world on Christmas Eve, 2011 after being struck down with DM (degenerative myelopothy) just two days before.
Looking back over the past ten years we spent together, practically 24/7, as a working dog and a very close companion, we did everything together. Let's see... He became a CKC Canadian Champion German Shepherd Show Dog at the age of 2, worked as a K-9 patrol dog (to age 5)… herded Canada Geese off golf courses … to age 8.
He was also an unsung hero that saved three lives, one of them being mine, from two separate house fires…. He then spent his final two years in retirement, most often in cottage country, before passing away. … In my 60 years of life, I have never spent more time with another being on this earth, than I did with Marcas. We were so close, I swear we could read each other's minds, on or off duty.
On the way to see the vet, before Marcas's demise, I thought if I am feeling this bad now, how will I ever keep it together after watching him die right in front of me. … Strangely enough, as the doc put the needle in his arm, I held him and whispered in his ear, you stay with dad and as his head sank into my arms, I said, "I love you Marcas, rest in peace my best friend." Though my tears were inconsolable, to my surprise, I immediately felt a warmth come over me and peaceful calm feeling that made me wonder if his spirit was in fact still there to comfort me. …
Wrapped in a blanket, we (Dan and Claudette) took his body to his resting place in Huron Native Indian territory where they say the spirit of the wolf runs free, to be interned three days later under an evergreen tree with a single large boulder, high on a hill overlooking Georgian Bay, right where the moon rises, directly in line to the way his body is facing. This was his favorite spot to play in summer, and the spot where he used to make snow angels in winter.
With three days to mourn his passing, we still had to do the family day thing on Christmas and Boxing Day and the last thing I wanted to do was bring everyone down, though I felt like I had been kicked in the stomach. …
I found myself praying for him and for the Lord to keep him safe, though i never have given religion much thought, or the church for that matter, not to say I don't believe that there possibly could be some sort of life carrying on after death, especially with all the paranormal programs that you see on the boob tube that almost seem unbelievable, but are reported as being true, even by many bewildered police forces, solving cases with messages delivered from beyond.
Well for the record, here is mine!
On Boxing Day night, we were getting into bed thinking about what my mother had told me about, what she believed was the spirit of her late cat of many years ago, named Missy, that used to ring the doorbell to get in and still did even after she died. … She said to me on the phone earlier in the day, not to be surprised if Marcas does not make a house call from the other side before moving on.
… I'm thinking to myself, wishful thinking on mom's part, and a little disappointed at the same time that it did not happen. Not in a talking mood I said to Claudette that I can't believe that tomorrow we are going to intern Marcas. She told me that she felt lost without him and I said to me it feels more like empty. (Close to midnight) still upset, I said to my other half, goodnite sweetie, my pet name for both her and Marcas. And then, get this, no guff and a witness to boot, I thought to myself I am going to really miss saying goodnite to Marcas, with his bed still made next to ours, for old time's sake through my tears, I said, "Goodnite Marcas," and right then we heard the loudest barking yip that lasted more than three minutes. Not his normal bark but the yipping sound he made only twice in his life. The first time he chased a rabbit, and the first time he herded a flock of geese. If one did not know better, they would think the dog was crying out in pain, he got so excited.
Never hearing a dog sound, other than Marcas in the three and a half years of living here, Claudette sat up and looked at me with her eyes like saucers, as I said, "Are you hearing this?" She said, "Yes, but I am not really that surprised, knowing how close you two were, and it looks like you still are. His constant yip-yip ended with just that. A three second pause, then yip-yip, meaning goodbye. Then all went silent. My other half said now he is your guardian angel from the beyond, like he was in life. My other half believes in the spirit world after growing up in a family home going back four generations, and some of the paranormal experiences she has had, believing her grandfather's spirit still remains there.
The next day we headed north to Claudette's home town to collect Marcas's body. … I had the day free to go to all of Marcas's favorite haunts for the last time, since I was more than convinced his spirit was with me. … After that I picked up Claudette and we set out to dig Marcas's grave with pick axe and shovel. As we dug his grave the first real snow fall of the year, was coming down. … Laying him to rest, we dug up a large stone that we placed at the head of his grave with a cross made out of two branches.
After filling his grave we had a send off, joined by the couple that own the property. (The same couple) who owe Marcas for saving their lives. Remember one of the fires I mentioned earlier, well that is them and this was his reward from them in his honour. Marcas' grave is on an old sheep path, back in the farm days, in a county that was named after two dogs: Tiny and Tay, owned by pioneer Lord Simcoe. I can't think of a better place I would rather have for him to rest in peace. And get this, his funeral arrangements were never planned and came together with the same kind of magic he represented in life. That's Marcas for you... Never a dull moment.
An hour after he was laid to rest, a blanket of snow covered his grave leaving the ground with its natural impression and following the Tibetan Book of the Dead, believing that the spirit remains for three days after death to say goodbye to loved ones. It says with dogs, that you have to tell dogs to walk towards the light or they will follow you. They say after that, they will return to help you with any unfinished projects you may have, as a renewed spirit, so that is what I did as the tears rolled down my face. I told him he is now free to go home and to walk towards the light, knowing we will live in each other's hearts forever more.
What a legacy he left behind and in his honour, the K-9 patrol company we started together will continue. Besides another handler coming on board, who was titled security guard of the year by Toronto Police Services. We are looking at getting another dog each, so the legend will continue. Marcas opened that door and I will make sure that it is never closed. Talking to two top police dog trainers, they each have a dog that are ready to go into service, being offered to us, thanks to Marcas. Even from beyond, his light shines bright, as the legend continues. May he rest in peace.
— Dan in Ontario, Canada
Pet Ghost Story: Dog still making her rounds after she has passed
I'll share with you a story about my dog Katie. We got her when I was only 5, she was a puppy, I was a tike. I didn't realize how much of a friend she was to me until I was in high school, by then I played with her all the time and she was a very happy dog. She was born on Martha's Vineyard where we spend our summers.
A year after she died, we were at our house down there during the winter after Christmas, I knew she was gone too. So one night I was in bed, about to drift off, when I heard what sounded like paws clicking on the wood floor downstairs. Katie would always make her rounds in the middle of the night to make sure the house was safe. Part of me wanted to believe that it was the heater, but it wasn't.
I told my mom about it later on that year, and she told me she heard Katie too, back to make her rounds, and make sure her family was still safe. To this day I can still feel her presence, but only on the Vineyard, nowhere else; maybe there, because that's where she came into the world. She was the best dog ever.
— John in USA
Thanks John. I love this story! — Kat
Pet Spirit Story: Cat clings to life to help owner
(edited for space) My 7 year old female tortie recently sadly passed away 9 months after being diagnosed with chronic renal failure. When I first found out she was dying from the disease I was told she had 6-8 weeks to live which was devastating news to me as we were extremely close and did everything together. Somehow, miraculously over the next few months, she managed to stay alive and live rather well, all considered. Her kidneys were absolutely gigantic but she was healthy in herself and still had a good quality of life. I even went into complete denial about her illness and started to think the vets were wrong.
Meanwhile I'd been suffering some very difficult personal problems. The only thing that kept me going was knowing I had to stick around for my cat's sake to see her through to the end. Finally in March this year her health suddenly deteriorated, out of nowhere it seemed but this is where it gets very interesting. On the very day a particularly difficult and trying court case I was involved with came to an end, my partner proposed to me. I was delighted and surprised but it was a bittersweet event as I knew my cat was in a dire health situation. The very next day she died. I've always thought she waited until that proposal … so I would have a reason to keep going.
On the morning of that day I was forced to call a vet to come quickly to ease her suffering and I said a formal goodbye to her in a quiet and sad moment where we were just alone together quietly, and I hoped she understood how much I loved her and would miss her. Shortly after this tender moment the phone rang. When I picked it up there was no-one there, it was silent. I said 'hello' a couple of times and then I heard it. An electronic voice, don't ask me what this was or where it came from, but a recorded message simply said "Goodbye" and the phone went dead. I'm convinced it was either my angels or my cat's angels telling me it was the right time for her to go as I'd suffered terribly with making the decision to have her euthanized.
Four weeks later I had struggled with the idea of taking another orphan and giving it a loving home but I felt I needed my cat to understand I wasn't replacing her. On the drive to meet the new orphan I experienced an amazing coincidence which I won't detail here but I thought to myself at the time, "I'm on the right track and she wants me to know this." Lo and behold what song comes on the radio? 'You're on the right track baby.' And with that I knew my little girl was one of the angels and most definitely looking after me. Where I'd cared for her all through her life (she was often ill), she finally cared for me in so many amazing ways. People should never ever doubt that our pets are still with us after they pass, and that our other angels are helping us all the time, too.
— Donna in Australia
Cat's Ghost Visitations - Bond remains after cat has passed
I have two cats. My oldest is 15 and he's a maine coon and my other was a tortoiseshell female. She passed away suddenly on Labor Day. She'd had a cold and it was just too much for her. She was always very close to me. She followed me to the bathroom, would sleep on my pillow right behind my head and just purr purr purr. When I'd come home from work and walk into my bedroom, there she would be on my bed rolling over on her back to show me her little multi-colored belly wanting to be petted. Wherever I was … she was. I have had two visitations from her. Last night I was dead asleep and I woke briefly thinking my old maine coon was in the bed with me … I had forgotten that he and my other cat had gone outside when I went to bed. I felt the pillow vibrating like he was lying there purring and I heard it as well. The next visitation was when I woke up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom. I was in there and felt something brush up against my leg, and I saw a faint shadow that just kind of dissipated. I truly do believe in the paranormal and I KNOW that animals have souls so I am not afraid of these visits, but just kind of surprised that our bond is still not broken … even though she has passed. I will always remember her little personality and how much I loved her and how much happiness she brought me.
— Shannon in California
Shannon, thanks for sharing your touching story. — Kat
Pet Ghost Story: Cat's spirit lingers
I had a cat named Misty; she was part of my household for 14 years. In August of '08 she became ill and passed as I lay beside her. Losing her hurt so terribly. But shortly afterward my other cat Angel began to show a lot of Misty's character habits! Is it possible for the soul of an animal to transfer to another?
— Pamela in Ohio
In my opinion, no one knows for sure what is possible. Though the idea of a soul transferring to another living animal or even a human makes an interesting fantasy film or book plot, I know of no set of beliefs, religious or otherwise, to support it. Maybe Misty's spirit remains with you and close enough to Angel to influence behavior—just a thought.
"Something Seemed Different" - Did dog's spirit say goodbye to boy?
When I was a boy, roughly age 5, I was given a puppy that we named Cosmo. Cosmo and I were inseparable. Nothing special about him, he was a mutt but that didn't matter to me. Anyway, when I was seven, he had gotten out of the back yard and took off down the road. (He wasn't fixed.) I went and searched the entire neighborhood. No sign of my dog. About a week later or so, my father had given me the harsh reality check that the dog wasn't coming back. Later that evening, I was supposed to be in bed but I had snuck out of my room and was standing in our dining room peeking at the TV. We had a sliding glass door with a screen on the outside that led to the carport outside. I heard a dog whimper very faint. I pulled back the curtains and there he was. At first I was overjoyed because my dog had returned. The only kicker about it was that something seemed different about him. I pressed my hand against the screen, and he licked it through the screen. I actually felt moisture on my fingertips. I couldn't reach the lock on the door at that age so I immediately started screaming for my dad. I heard my father's footsteps coming down the hall, but my dog turned around and began to walk out of the carport. I screamed the dog's name in a frantic manner. He stopped, turned around, wagged his tail at me and then kept on walking down the street. That was the last time I ever saw Cosmo.
— Raymond in South Carolina
Pet Ghost Story: Baby's Meow - Cat's spirit visits after death
When my mother forgot she was supposed to take care of her four-year-old cat "Baby," I took over her care too. Soon after that Mom broke her hip and had to go into the nursing home. "Baby" and I came to Oregon together, and had ten very close years together. She became my constant companion, and helper. She'd remind me when I'd forgotten something on the stove; would let me know the phone had rung while I'd been outside working, and she kept me informed of spiders in the house so I could catch and put them outside. "Baby" died in my arms in December 2003, after suffering a major stroke. I was devastated.
Almost a month to the day of her death, I was at the point of awakening one morning when I heard her meow. I looked down and she was there, looking up at me. She meowed again, and I reached down to her, saying, "Oh, Baby!" And woke up. I was sitting up in bed, reaching down to the floor at the side of the bed. I felt so happy and comforted by her visit, and knew that what I'd always believed had been proven true—that animals have souls too. I knew her precious "Baby" was back in Mom's care.
— Wilma in Oregon
Pet Ghost Story: Spirits of dogs that have passed
Since I was a youngster, I was always very close to my dogs—they were my best friends. I was in my mid to upper 20's when I had a Pug named Jennifer. She used to sleep in my bed with her back at the nape of my neck. After Jennifer died, many nights I would feel pressure at the nape of my neck. I knew Jennifer was still with me.
Also, in my 50's, I had a Dalmatian named Keisha. Her tags would jingle as all dogs do. Now I have an American Foxhound named Wishful, whose tags also jingle. At night, I hear jingling along the long hallway toward my bedroom, and I sit up and say, "Wishful, is that you?" Wishful is sound asleep in the living room. I know it is Keisha coming to sleep in my bedroom.
These incidents don't frighten me; I am very comforted that my best friends still visit me.
— Joan in Conn.
Thanks Joan for the Pet Ghost Stories. Our new Pet page was inspired by your story. I hope others will write about their pets that have passed.
Mysterious Ghost Cats
At night when I first get into bed, I can feel a light movement on my bed. At first I didn't know what to think, but I felt like it was maybe a cat. One night I woke up and saw a black cat sitting in the doorway to my bathroom. I could see it very clearly, in fact I thought it was our cat Jazzy and went to pick her up and put her out of my room. As I was walking towards it I said, "How did you get in here?" And as I got closer, she just disappeared. I was awake and felt a little weird. Every night I feel a cat and as many as three on my bed, one that I feel is always there, but the others not always. On occasion I have woken up and can see the cat; there's enough light in my room to see from my night light.
— Kay in Michigan
White Dog - Spirit sent to help us pass?
My mother told me this story from 40 years ago. My grandmother and the lady who lived next door were both ill. One day a small white dog wandered into their yards. The dog just laid between their houses; it cried and didn't move. We asked other neighbors on the street about the dog but it didn't belong to anyone, and no one knew anything about it. The dog remained between the houses for two weeks. One day we heard that the neighbor had died, and the dog too, was gone.
— Donna in Conn.
New stories are added regularly and older stories are rotated out, so please come again. Thank you for visiting Dreamwatch.com — Kat
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