I figure you all think I'm a complete nutter by now so thought I'd share an experience or two, maybe you'd like to share as well.

Crockett Cat went to the Bridge a few years ago, he was my first pet as an adult and I adored him, when he died at the grand age of 17 (I adopted him when he was around 10) I was distraught, a friend sent me the book Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep (see below) I didn't know wether to believe, wether there was another side or not, wether I'd ever be reunited with my fabulous cat again.

A couple of weeks later me and Rob went to see a litter of kittens, there in amongst this bundle of fluffy kittens was a white and tabby cat the spitting image of Crock's, tears sprung to my eyes and I turned away, I picked another one, as we were leaving Rob said he wanted the white kitten, I just couldn't do do it, til we got half way down the road and I told him to go back and put a deposit on Bomber, a few weeks later the two cats came home and that was that.

Tears came and went as I often thought of Crock's but slowly the pain eased, every now and again I would find a feather in the strangest of places and memories of Crock's bringing birds through the cat flap would spring to mind and the feathers that would be everywhere as he dragged the biggest wood pigeons through, I always smiled as I thought of him but didn't think any more of it. The kittens were indoor cats so it wasn't them catching anything.
A year or so later I moved house and thought to myself if Crock's does still watch over me, how will he know where I am? I felt really sad.
A couple of weeks after moving I woke in the middle of the night needing a wee, Bomber was fast asleep on the end of the bed, I walked past him, gave him a rub, went down the hall had a wee, walked back up the hall, Bomber was sat in the hallway, I went into the bedroom and Bomber was on the bed to, I wasn't drowsy I was quite awake, I stepped back out the bedroom, white/tabby cat still in the hallway, looked back to bedroom cat still on the bed, my eyes were not deceiving me , I felt no urge to go near the cat in the hallway, I just felt very peaceful and complete acceptance came over me, my Crock's knew where I was and was letting me know, I slept like a log.


Tail 2

Most of you know Flo's story, my Irish angel, what I haven't told many of you was after having a hearing from an animal communicator which really helped me with Titchy soon after he arrived, I decided to go on an animal communication course, we were taught simple relaxation techniques and how to tune into ourselves (it's Ok I'm not going all freaky on you ) we were also asked to bring photos of various pets to help each other to communicate, there was a lady that i was working with she had already done a communication course and was far more advanced than the rest of us, I was lucky to be paired up with her for one of the communication exchanges, I presented her with Flo's photo, I never said that she had already passed over but she knew instantly, she also told me that Flo hadn't yet gone to the bridge (this was almost a year after she had died) she knew that I still needed her near me and wasn't leaving until she knew I was OK without her, we chatted a bit more, another thing that I hadn't mentioned was since the day she died whenever I had gone to her favourite beach, weirdly enough there was always a rainbow, this had freaked me out several times and I had even wondered if the grief mas making me a bit loopy.
Until the communicator told me, "you know she hasn't yet gone to the Bridge, she's told you often enough," "What!" was my reaction, "her rainbows, she's been sending you rainbows to let you know she hasn't crossed yet," I just hadn't picked up the connection. I think she chose a rainbow because on her last night with me I told her all about the Rainbow Bridge and how one day I'd see her there again, or maybe it's all just wishful thinking

So wether you believe or wether you think I am a complete nutter I wanted to share with those that had lost recently, if you look and open your eyes, there will be a sign from those that have passed, it's up to you if you make the connection and want to see it.

Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there I do not sleep.

I am in a thousand winds that blow
I am the softly falling snow.
I am the gentle showers of rain,
I am the fields of ripening grain.

I am in the morning hush,
I am in the graceful rush
Of beautiful birds in circling flight,
I am the starshine of the night.

I am in the flowers that bloom,
I am in a quiet room.
I am the birds that sing
I am in each gentle thing.

Do not stand at my grave and cry.
I am not there. I did not die.


Please don't let this turn into a sad topic, share if you want to but mostly remember the happy times that's what I do.

I only really have one experience - a few months after Saffy died, I was driving home from walking Tilly and puppy Lola, and I smelt Saffy - looked in my rear view mirror, and she was sitting on the back seat, as clear as anything. The smell was so "her" it was really really amazing.

well every now and then i find white feathers in the house. i dont know if they've just blown in or not, but i keep every one of them. sometimes too i hear footsteps going up the stairs, they go into my bedroom, then i hear nothing! i really believe its benson, but it may be just coincidence i dont know.

I don't know if any of you have read the book over the rainbow bridge, there's now a follow up (much) more from over the rainbow bridge, loads of stories like these, although sad at times also very comforting to read.

No it's not freaky it's absolutely normal even with human deaths.

When my husband died, my daughter and I were sitting one night having a giggle about some of our favourite memories of him, when the tv channel changed all by itself and the changer was on top of the tv.

Now in itself to anyone else it's not funny or weird but you see we both burst out laughing and crying at the same time, because that was his "joke". He used to wait till we were engrossed in a programme and change channels at an exciting bit, just to catch everyone's attention. It was just his way of letting us know it was ok to let go.

I have often "seen" my deceased pets months and even years after they've passed, docs have some weird psycho babble explanation, but for me ........... science can't explain everything.

nothing abnormal etc but I always think that Gizmo sent Dobbie to me. I was heart broken when I lost Gizmo as she was my first Springer and such a special girl, we certainly didnt want a 4th dog again, 3 was plenty, we had 2 young boys etc - but the way Dobbie came to us so quickly after losing her, and just fitted in and certainly couldnt have gone anywhere else cos of all his problems - and has since become my little soul mate and shadow, I just know there was a reason he came to us that day.

Oh Selina -you have got me blubbing like a bay now

that is comforting. Becuase like I said to you last night, I am plagued by this fear that he is scared, or wondering where I am, I needed to know that he is aware of where I am, and is watching me...but then I think, if he's watching me, every time i smile or something is like saying "well, I'm over you then!" which is putting me off doing things with the girls, which makes me feel bad, as Michael said, you have to be there for the girls, they are not eating properly since Monday...i have vowed to be stronger for them and not be selfish.

But I need to know he's OK, and have been praying for a sign, like the ones in these stories, so I know he's OK and waiting for me. I was driving to work today, dreading coming back, and the radio played Sting's Field of Gold. The first four lines are as follows

Youll remember me when the west wind moves
Upon the fields of barley
Youll forget the sun in his jealous sky
As we walk in the fields of gold

we used to walk through Wistow, full of buttercups, so maybe it was him saying to me you'll remember me when you're back there? as i can't bring myself to go back, as it was his fave place, and that's not fair on the girls either. It's just, when we're there, the girls go off digging on the riverbanks and leave me...Jasper would play with me, and rock dive in the river, and made walks so much fun.

I hope he's there watching over us, and knows how much i love him. Every evening I go outside clutching his collar to have a ciggie (tut tut) and tell him how much i love him...but I need a physical sign that he is OK. Only then I think can i feel a bit better

Thanks for the stories though, makes me feel like maybe he is up there somewhere, and will tell me so when he stops sniffing around and meeting all his new friends.

I miss him so much Michael says our house is so sad at the moment, and it's my tears that are stopping the girls from settling. so i shall resolve to be normnal for them and only cry when alone xxxx

Danni, you cry whenever you want to, just let the girls comfort you. What's possibly making them on edge is feeling the distance from you. Loving them isn't disloyal to Jasper, you loved them before he came and while he was there, so that just carries on.

If it was me, I'd take the girls to his field, let them go off and do their thing happily, and just have a blummin' good cry till it's all let out. Maybe that's where you need to go to feel him.

I have stories about Chloe and my Dad, but they will make me sound like even more of a nutter than many of you already think I am, so should possibly not discuss the details in public! Suffice to say, I think they stay with you, and will let you know in their own way when they know you need them.

Lots of love Danni, and I promise it will get easier eventually.

xxx

when i lost benson i used to take my girl bronte to their fave field and just cry my eyes out cos i could just picture him running around and doing springery type stuff! i let bronte sleep upstairs with my for ages, cos i'm sure she was grieving too. when i got sam, though, he seemed to bring the joy back. although he did have his share of problems. this took my mind off benson cos i had something else to think about. i still think about benson every day and when i go to the places that i took him i still imagine him running around.

so cry your eyes out and give those girls of yours the biggest cuddles ever!

sat here crying again

got to be good for the weight loss

when my dad died i didnt deal with it at all - buried all the feelings and didnt cry - now seven years later i still cant talk about him without fighting the tears. I think sometimes it is best to just let the grief come and then you can move on

go to your special field - have a blinkin good cry - by yourself or with the OH but do cry for him if thats what you need to do

I lost my cat Chewy a year ago on monday, she was run over She was my first pet as an adult along with her sister Jessie, who we still have. Chewy was nearly 11 when she died and I was heartbroken, still am actually, had a good cry on monday on her anniversary. Anyway, the day after she died, this yellow wagtail just fluttered into the garden, and although we have loads of different birds here, never seen a yellow wagtail before, it just hopped about on the patio where Chewy would often lay and I kinda thought it was something to do with her. I saw this bird maybe just 3 times over that weekend and it made me smile, I just had this warm feeling that comforted me. Have often looked out for it again since but never seen it.

When Topsy went to Rainbow Bridge on 28th December 2006, I was devastated even though she'd only lived with us for 2 months.

Topsy was about 13 years old and I always wished I'd known her when she had been young and fit. She was a pretty tri-coloured cavalier.

The day afterwards we saw a rainbow in the sky. In fact day after day we saw rainbows in the sky. We continued frequently seeing rainbows until about 3 weeks later when fate took a hand and Jemima walked into our lives. Jemima was at the time about 3 years old and a tri-coloured cavalier.

We didn't notice the rainbows as frequently after that and I firmly believe Topsy stayed with us to guide us to Jemima. However, often when we were going somewhere for the day with the dogs in the car, we would see a rainbow and I'd say "hi Topsy, are you coming out for the day?"

About 4 months after Topsy's passing, we adopted Marlon - a young pup. We knew he was about 17 weeks old. When he had his vaccs, the vet needed a birth date so we said he was 17 weeks and believe it or not, that made his estimated birth date of 28 December 2006, the date Topsy left us.

Coincidence or not, often when I talk about Topsy, I see a rainbow that very same day.

Last Friday I spoke of Topsy in a post on ST. When we went to our caravan that night (midsummer's eve), there was a stunning sunset and black clouds in the other direction. The most vivid rainbow was in the sky - I've never seen anything like it; in fact it was a double rainbow.

Accuse me of being soppy if you will (or just mad!), but I like to think Topsy came to say hi because I'd mentioned her, but also maybe she came to show the way to 3 very special dogs that have left for the Bridge this week.

So, Jasper, Ralphy and Beth I think Lady Topsy will look after you just fine until you meet your loved ones once again.

I'm just sat here blubbing what with just reading about poor Max who has gone to the bridge then this - its just about finished me off!

I've not experienced anything particularly strange as such but a couple of things made us think.

We had 3 cats, 2 girls, one mouthy the other quiet and then a quiet boy. Biscuit (the mouthy girl) would greet you everytime you came home mewing in such a way that you know she was telling you off "HOW DARE YOU LEAVE ME, WHERE DO YOU THINK YOU'VE BEEN" etc, we never heard a peep out of the other two. Ever since Biscuit went to the bridge (from the day itself) the quiet girl has taken over the telling off.

Then when Woody went to the bridge, we didn't really want to get another straight away but Jack was miserable and when you volunteer for a rescue its next to impossible not to take one when you have a place in your house and a dog needs a home. So instead we decided we'd try and choose one as different to Woody as we could find. Enter Bella, different sex, different age, different colouring, different background. Well we couldn't have chosen a dog more like Woody in personality if we had road -*test*-('")ed 1000's, she is so like him it is uncanny and she has some of his odd traits too such as:

sitting on your knee with sort of one bum cheek & one leg on your knee, the other three legs on the floor, and he could only do it one side because he couldn't tuck his "bad" leg in so that was always stuck out at an angle - she always does it on the same side as he did.

Sitting in front of you with his head back and rolling a ball around in his mouth, then if you as much as twitch putting head straight down between his feet. She does exactly the same.

She very often doesn something and we say "oh look Woody come to see us again"

Its a standing joke that he is haunting him.