When Ghosts Speak - Mary Ann Winkowski [75]
Like human ghosts, the earthbound spirits of animals rely on energy from living sources and can cause disruptions and inconveniences to the creatures around them. But because domestic animals are generally rather small, the amount of energy their ghosts need and the type of influence they can have is also less than the energy and influence of human ghosts. I have seen the ghosts of larger animals, such as horses or moose, and I can guarantee that just as you would most certainly notice if a horse or moose were to get into your home, you will notice the effects of its earthbound spirit’s presence.
Compared with the human spirits I notice or interact with on an almost daily basis, I really don’t encounter that many animal ghosts. I’ve seen a ghost cow. I’ve seen the spirits of fox and moose and elk in the wild. But in general, most of the animal spirits I encounter are those of pets. This makes perfect sense to me, of course. Wild animals are not easily seen when they are alive. It’s instinctive for them to hide when a human is in their environment. And just like the ghosts of humans, the ghosts of the animals I have encountered behave as the animal did when it was alive.
Unfortunately, I’m not Dr. Dolittle. I can’t just talk with these animal ghosts when I see them, as I can with human earthbound spirits. Everything I know about animal spirits has been learned from observation and the interactions I have had with different animals over the years.
Nevertheless, as far as I’m concerned, understanding the behaviors of animal spirits simply involves common sense. I have owned and worked with animals myself for many, many years. When I was younger, I trained as a dog and cat groomer and later opened my own grooming shop. My husband and I also showed dogs for many years. From talking with animal communicators I have met, I have learned that most animals believe they are here for specific purposes. When they die, most animals will instinctively go into the white Light, knowing they have fulfilled their purpose on earth. Like humans, they may see familiar friends (both animal and human) in the Light and may be eager to join them.
But for some animals, training or loyalties may override their instincts, causing them to choose to remain earthbound. I once was called to a home to see if I could help the owner of a service dog figure out why her once-reliable companion had suddenly become inconsistent in his training. Buddy was a gorgeous black Lab who had been trained as a companion to a young woman named Carrie who suffered from seizures and other disorders. Carrie’s first dog, Gilda, was a golden Lab who’d been with her for more than six years. As Gilda aged, she developed arthritis and poor vision and was no longer dependable as a service dog.
The trainer who had provided the family with Gilda suggested that Gilda stay with the family even after the new dog arrived. Carrie was thrilled with this arrangement. She didn’t want to give up her beloved dog and even thought that Gilda might be able to teach the new pup a thing or two.
To everyone’s relief, the two dogs got along famously. Gilda did seem to be teaching Buddy how to take over her job while relishing her new role of family pet. She loved to go for rides in the car and would still perform some of the simpler tasks, such as fetching items for her owner. Sadly, only ten months after her “retirement,” Gilda became ill and died.
At first the family was willing to excuse Buddy’s erratic behavior, saying that he was grieving for his companion. But after a while, everyone, including the trainer, was mystified by his refusal to perform certain commands he had been trained to do.
Finally Carrie’s mother called me to ask if Gilda’s ghost might somehow still be with them, confusing Buddy. I said I thought it was possible, and when I visited the home, I wasn’t surprised when Gilda’s ghost met me at the door with her tail wagging. Buddy trailed respectfully