Where do you think dogs go after they pass on?

reply to post by Australiana

I feel your pain-
I lost my sheep dog named Badger when he was just 5 years old to an aggresive form of stomach cancer.
It was such an awful shock to the whole family.
Its bad enough to lose a very old dog,but to see a young dog suffer makes its worse in some ways.

Hold on to the good memories you have of your dog.
If there is some kind of after life,then we all end up there I think.
Dogs certainly deserve their place,more than some people I would say.

So sorrry for your loss.

reply to post by Australiana


Hi Australiana,

Was that Sunday the 2nd of December 2012?

All I can say is I know how must have felt and what emotional struggles you may have gone through.


I lost my boy Tyson on that day here in Melbourne.

He was 6 and a half a Rottweiler of 66 kg,




he had issues with his crucial ligament in his left leg from about 4 and half years old, had an operation but never really rehabilitated to be able to run around like a rottie would like to.

about 2 weeks before he passed he had a dimantia type episode for a day where he lost his sight and became confused.

Started to improve so the vet said to keep an eye on him and if his vision gets worse that I could go see a specialist to see if the cataracts( or something similar) he had were drastically affecting his sight.

It was on that sunday the 2nd that I woke up late to let him and Sonja ( my other Rottie ) out and went back to bed for a while.



Sonja posing for Doggie Hustler/playboy

I got up around midday and went out to see the kids (my dogs).

Tyson was laying down half across the grass and half across a concrete path way, so as usual I thought OK Tyson let me help you up so you can lay on the comfortable grass instead of being half on the concrete. ( I would usually help Tyson to get up because his ailments) as I went help him up.. sorry I cant type this out, have been crying for a while rewrote the post numerous times.

He died there in my arms in a space of 10 seconds.

Thats the worst pain I have ever felt in my 35 years so far, so my condolences go out to you even though they quite late. these types of experiences stay with us for a long time so its never really to late is it.

What I have come to you to ask is that what do you think happens to our four legged buddy's souls after death? Do you think they go to the rainbow bridge or wait for us? Do their souls stay with us for a while or forever? Any sensitive contribution would be most welcome on this matter. Thanking you in advance.

They watch us and make sure we get to where we need to be if we stumble because of the pain from our loss.

I believe in the Rainbow Bridge, who wouldn't want to, anyone with a soul and that has been touched by Love would want to I have to believe, its a belief in heaven but a special one reserved for our fury or scaly friend if thats what one likes.

Let me tell you about my personal proof that they are watching and making sure we are on our path again.

When Tyson died my sister who was also extremely close with him spent every day with me for the next two or so weeks, I guess it was for each others support. In those few weeks I came to realize that I had no feelings of anger and thought that I would never feel those feelings again.

It wasn't until about half way through January of 2013 that I had realized that I hadn't seen my sister for a while and also realized that my anger had come and come back hard. when things would haywire and I couldn't understand why anger usually kicks in and depending on the situation your anger usually matches the intensity of the thing you are becoming angry at.

I would loose it, I would be as angry as though I was a barbarian out to do battle in the bloodiest war ever and the only way to survive is to let your animal instincts out, I would seriously become a rabid dog and want to attack any inanimate object around me, I still had some control if I was in the presence of others but alone I would a wild ape jumping around stomping my fists on the ground and on my chest. I hope its sound funny and if you can picture it, have a laugh, remember Homer Simpson chasing Bart out the house and onto the school bus in Indianna Jones Style animation, Homer was me if you know what cartoon I am talking about, I do know when I look back and see how I was.



crap quality, but that mad homer was me for a time.

It was coming to the end of January when I began realizing the anger and darkness overcoming my whole being,

I hadn't talked to my sister for over 3 weeks and in that time in my anger I started to go against my deepest personal beliefs.

I started to try to convince myself that there is no spirit, there is nothing after death, we live a material world and once that ends there is nothing, materialism is all there is.... and further, no God, no nothing, our beliefs are our own lies we manipulate each others and our own material lives with, that was until the morning my sister rang me and said I need to come over.

when she came over we said how its been strange we haven't even spoken ( we are quite close and see or speak with other every few days) and I began telling her about my issues.

Half way through me telling her she stops me and says "you know, I had a dream last night that is really vivid and has to be real,
I dream t about Tyson, he was there on a field so I ran up to him, gave a big hug and realized he was concentrated on something to the side and it seemed he wanted me to have a look,
when I turned my head, I saw you (me) and Sonja in the distance on our own."

My sister woke and had to call me.

when she said this me I broke down like a baby that soiled their pants, tearing and sobbing because it was my proof the dead see our struggles and if they cant let us know directly they will use another medium to get their message to you as long as you are willing to receive it.

I hope you get the gist of this little experience of mine as I could go into much more finer detail highlighting my time with Tyson, how I cared for him, the actions I took in his 6 years of life and how that lead to or might have had a great influence to what happened to him and why he died and also the personal proof of a spiritual world even our pets inhabit and can communicate with us, but I think that would a novel and hey I think I just had idea.....

Love to you and hope you find another 4 legged friend that you will love just as much but in its own special way as the love you shared with Shelby is unique, like all our relationships have a unique feeling and love for the other.

reply to post by Lightrider


Thank you lightrider,

So don't despair anymore. Let your thoughts of your dog be only memories of the fun and loving times you had together and your grieving turn into thankfulness that you had such a wonderful friend. Know that you will see them again - there's just too many accounts out there similiar to mine. Find a new dog to love though you won't love the one you loss anyless. But there is a dog out there in this here and now somewhere that is waiting for YOU - NOW. Go find him! You'll all be together again. It all ends in love if you aim for that.

This might have been directed at OP but it has helped others as well

thank you again

reply to post by Afterthought

I believe he's proud and happy that I'm helping dogs who were thrown away like trash the way he was.

I know he is as what you are doing is a hero's job, helping and saving those in need.

You are a hero in my eyes

reply to post by Akragon

Everything happens for a reason my friend

So so true.

great bit of advice and expressed in a way that it almost pushed me to go to my local shelter.

reply to post by Australiana

The update is I have been volunteering once a week now at the local animal shelter for the past few months. I try to make the dog's lives a bit happier by walking and playing with them. It really is a wonderful job and enjoy going there so much that I wish I had done it sooner.

Beautiful

Wonder what catastrophe I am getting my self into!

It can be twice the trouble but twice the joy as well, twice the love, the more the merrier I say. especially with Boxers, man it will be a show, to bad they have some age on them even though they they never really loose that childish playfulness, a little like Dalmatians, both clowns in their own rights.

Anyways, still think everyday about my Shelby and think I have seen "signs" of him being about the place still. It does get easier over time - even if just a little. I know I will meet him again...

I saw Tyson once at night in the backyard and have heard him sook at the door to come in, is it my mind playing tricks, I don't care, I believe more than anything they are there and are waiting for us, there might be the rainbow bridge, might be heaven, I just know to be the best I can be and do the best i can do and we will be in each others presence again.

reply to post by JohnPhoenix

But why should any pet actually want to wait for us humans?

Because some pets have a very strong bond with their humans.

Both My Tyson and now Sonja have this bond with me.

Now I realized this bond when it was pointed out to me,

Both Dogs loved others member's of the family and friends,

However the way they would stare and concentrate on my every movement compered to how they observed others is the key to seeing this and how strong of a bond you have with your animal.

Our pets sometimes or more times than not claim us as theirs and have one that they will stand by above all else.

Its hard to explain and see,

My sister saw it in Sonja after Tyson died and I claimed Sonja as being mine and mine alone, initially she was my sisters and Tyson was mine.

She saw the change in Sonja and how Sonja would react to her when she tried to be authoritative towards her and how Sonja would come up to me as if to say to my sister no one but him can command me now even though she had that bond with my sister previously.

Its deep and a few paragraphs doesn't really give the explanation justice, but I hope some understand when I say our pets claim us as much as we claim them. Dogs especially, no doubt in my mind.

reply to post by JohnPhoenix

why, because they were never meant to be caged/kept in homes or domesticated at all.

with out the domestication of dogs I believe a few scientific institutions did conclude that human survival is thanks to to our relationship with dogs back when humans lived in hunting gathering communities,

You might not existin the form you do today, thanks to dogs helping humanity get past hard times, you do.

reply to post by InhaleExhale


Just spoke to my sister and needed to correct this part as it was slightly incorrect,

It was coming to the end of January when I began realizing the anger and darkness overcoming my whole being, I hadn't talked to my sister for over 3 weeks and in that time in my anger I started to go against my deepest personal beliefs.

I started to try to convince myself that there is no spirit, there is nothing after death, we live a material world and once that ends there is nothing, materialism is all there is.... and further, no God, no nothing, our beliefs are our own lies we manipulate each others and our own material lives with, that was until the morning my sister rang me and said I need to come over.

when she came over we said how its been strange we haven't even spoken ( we are quite close and see or speak with other every few days) and I began telling her about my issues.

Half way through me telling her she stops me and says "you know, I had a dream last night that is really vivid and has to be real,
I dream t about Tyson, he was there on a field so I ran up to him, gave a big hug and realized he was concentrated on something to the side and it seemed he wanted me to have a look,
when I turned my head, I saw you (me) and Sonja in the distance on our own."

My sister woke and had to call me.

It was after a few weeks of not speaking or seeing my sister that I called her that morning and started stressing about how I cannot cope anymore, I don't think Sonja should be with me and you should take her.

It was at that point on the phone that my sister said Hold on and stop what you are saying, I m coming over.

When she came over she told me about her dream.

to both of us it was a confirmation for me it reconfirmed my beliefs and strengthened them with, well.... supernatural power you could say.

Australiana
Whether you contribute a little or a lot to ATS, you have all helped me so much throughout the years by reading your posts and threads. I thought that I would turn to you guys again to help me out in my time of grieving. I am grieving A LOT so please be sensitive on this matter.

I am up early again as I once again cannot sleep as I am grieving the loss of my almost 6 year old boxer, named Shelby, who lost his life early, from T cell Lymphoma in his Thymus gland, on Sunday night. I tried for six months to save him with chemo and alternative therapies which resulted in him having a good quality of life until the end.

Like many of you, my dog was my best mate and it is going to take me a while to get through this.

What I have come to you to ask is that what do you think happens to our four legged buddy's souls after death? Do you think they go to the rainbow bridge or wait for us? Do their souls stay with us for a while or forever?

Any sensitive contribution would be most welcome on this matter. Thanking you in advance.

I suspect their essence remains within the sphere to inhabit another vessel.
Unlike some humans who go elsewhere as they have not bonded with the sphere.
I cannot very any afterlife since I have not died as far as I can recall so these are just my thoughts on the matter. I know there is another side going on with our reality but its more to do with the mind and psionic/nature energies.

reply to post by Silcone Synapse


I had never had anyone close that had cancer, before this, and you always think it happens to other people but not your family. Then one day you see it in your loved ones and it is a reality shock. Let us hope there is an inexpensive cure for all types of cancer (that would be available for every one) soon!

Thank you for sharing and wishing you well.

reply to post by InhaleExhale


Yes it was Sunday 2nd December 2012. Still remember that day... was not really in reality as I was in shock, as I know you understand. Started at around 9am and the decision to end it all came at 6pm. You and I were both experiencing the same that day so I am so sorry you went through that pain too. Unfortunately dogs (or pets) do not live as long as people and we accept this until it actually happens and reality strikes.

That is great your pooch came to you (through your sister) in a dream state, letting you know that he is alright on the other side and watching out for you. I have heard that this happens often with beloved people and pets and it just has to show us that there is an afterlife for both humans and animals.

I have not had a dream of him yet but I want to. Someone has organised me to go to an animal communicator in June so that will be interesting either way.

ps. very cute dog by the way and love Rotties

reply to post by InhaleExhale


So true! They follow you every where, wait at the front door for you to come home (even though other family members all home), cry for you until you come home (even though other family members all home), wait for you while you are in the shower and other things like that. They watch every move you make and pick up on what you say above all others. They do claim you don't they?Never thought of it like that.

reply to post by Australiana

cry for you until you come home (even though other family members all home)

Its nuts isn't it, I leave Sonja at my grandparents to do some shopping for them and she waits and howls at the door or if thats closed she will go to the window that faces the street and sit and wait watching for the car, it makes you feel so special.

I have not had a dream of him yet but I want to. Someone has organised me to go to an animal communicator in June so that will be interesting either way.

If you remember and if you want to share what happens with the animal communicator, I would be rather interested to hear how it goes.

Cheers

Our neighbors dog hung around the house for a while after he died. The family saw the dogs ghost in the house .... BEFORE they knew he had died. So I have no doubt that there are spook-dogs.

reply to post by InhaleExhale


Will try to remember to pm you after my appointment. She is meant to be amazing.

You know.. I honestly think that they end up wherever we end up. Im not sure on where that is! But, it seems likely to me that where ever it is, if anywhere, it will be the same place(s) we go.

I hope that my pack greets me on the other side.

reply to post by Serdgiam


After having over a year to think about it I believe they do. Like someone said earlier, they will be the first there to greet us!

reply to post by FlyersFan


Wow and before the dog passed even? That is a good topic for a thread of its own

reply to post by Australiana


reply to post by Australiana


Sorry for your "loss"... Our Dogs are family from day one, and never mistreat us no matter how ill mannered we are throughout the relationship. They bring us the ultimate honesty, trust, love, care, joy & compassion of any friendship.

However the quotations are important, & I hope comforting in the sense that we never really "lose" anybody...
They await our arrival eagerly...Somewhere much nicer...
Nicer than Giza at Night, nicer than The Amazon at Sunrise, nicer than anything Hubble or it's successors have ever captured, or will ever capture!!!

& I dare say there is many more Canines & other wildlife to await us than humans if I'm brutally honest.

I will share with you the brilliant thoughts of the wordsmith Tupac Shakur, as they comfort me when I think of my dog who passed a few years ago;
"Picture a place, that they exist, together... There has to be a place better than this, in Heaven" - Thugz Mansion!!!
I can never hear that particular lyric without becoming tearful, or thinking of loved ones who gather in patience until we meet again, nor my Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Trouble(pictured)!




Have a little go at astral projection, I often see his face, and his tail wagging frantically, like he knows that I'm watching... it'll be brief though, Heaven doesn't like intrusion, they will put the blockades up after a few seconds!!!

I hope you and others can feel this Nirvana... It's a euphorical feeling we should all experience!

Until you meet again, try not to mourn, our mood affects theirs, & they'd prefer you to be happy, in the comfort of the knowledge this is just the beginning of our journey....

Goddess bless you... & Shelby, whom I assume is your avatar, beautiful!!!
Peace!!!