Shannon has gone to the Rainbow Bridge

[Traci]

I think I read in one of those near-death experience books once, someone said (and wholeheartedly believes, based on her personal experiences), that our loved ones oftentimes stay behind just long enough to 'help' us through our grief and turmoil. They appear in our dreams, or much like we've all felt when we catch a glimpse of them around the corner (or when Tina saw Willow at church), or when our other pets sense a presence we do not see, and in many other ways. When they know we will be ok, they move onward their journey and wait patiently for us one day.

I've since heard others say and feel the same. And, I think in some way, it is true. How else can we explain what we see, hear, feel, even when the pain of loss has subsided? It is to me, a very comforting feeling to feel loved ones still remain near, even if we cannot touch them, hold them, feel them in our arms.

[Shannon's Mom]

Still, it would be better if we could have them here. I don't see me ever getting over Shannon. She was my soulmate and a very special girl. Perhaps I could understand it better if I had that chance to treat her for the stroke like I treated Noodles years ago. Perhaps then I could feel I did do everything possible for Shannon and be greatful for 20 years with her love and companionship. Even if she still passed on, I would know I did EVERYTHING! I call her and want to see her but know that won't happen. I am a hollow shell without her and feel I missed the boat on her last illness costing her her life. Even if I come to terms with losing her, how do I forgive me?

[Tina B and crew]

Still, it would be better if we could have them here. I don't see me ever getting over Shannon. She was my soulmate and a very special girl. Perhaps I could understand it better if I had that chance to treat her for the stroke like I treated Noodles years ago. Perhaps then I could feel I did do everything possible for Shannon and be greatful for 20 years with her love and companionship. Even if she still passed on, I would know I did EVERYTHING! I call her and want to see her but know that won't happen. I am a hollow shell without her and feel I missed the boat on her last illness costing her her life. Even if I come to terms with losing her, how do I forgive me?

Pet, it would definitely be better if they were here with us. There is no doubt about that. This afternoon and evening have been very rough for me. I have cried non-stop since getting home at about 4:00pm and it is now nearing 8. This was MY time with Willow and I don't have her and it hurts like hell. All I can do is hug her fuzzy blanket and only imagine that I have her fuzzy belly to rub, but it just doesn't do.

You can still be grateful for your time with Shannon, even if you are feeling guilt. It's a natural part of the process to feel as if you didn't do enough. I wonder if I had woken up sooner that night Willow died if maybe she would have shown some symptoms and I could have got her to the ER vet? My heart feels like it is being ripped out every time I think that. Yet I know that no amount of guilt is going to make me feel any better or bring Willow back. I find myself screaming that is was so unfair I only had her for 8 years, yet I'm so grateful for those 8 wonderful, glorious, love and pressie filled years. I would not go back and take those years away to save me the pain I am feeling right now. Hang in there and hold tight to what you had with Shannon. You were blessed to have her in your life for 20 years even though it doesn't seem like it was long enough right now.

[k9Karen]

I think I read in one of those near-death experience books once, someone said (and wholeheartedly believes, based on her personal experiences), that our loved ones oftentimes stay behind just long enough to 'help' us through our grief and turmoil. They appear in our dreams, or much like we've all felt when we catch a glimpse of them around the corner (or when Tina saw Willow at church), or when our other pets sense a presence we do not see, and in many other ways. When they know we will be ok, they move onward their journey and wait patiently for us one day..

The night my grandmother died she came to me in my dreams and told me not to worry about her, that she would be OK. At that time, I didn't even know she had died. My mom called me in the morning. I had known the time was close, but not that it had happened. Mickey stayed for a long time after he was gone. I would feel him up against my back at night - a place he loved to sleep - I'd wake up with terrible backaches. One of them was with me in the hospital last year - I never saw whether it was Leah, Mickey, Angel, or our family dog when I was a child, Poochie. I woke up after my brain surgrery with my hand on a fuzzy muzzle. Of course, when I looked, nothing was there. It was still incredibly comforting.I've begged Angel to come to me so I know she's forgiven me for her drowning, but unless she was the one with me in the hospital, she's never come. I waited for my Daddy to come to me, thinking for sure he would, but he never did. I'm a very scientific person but I have no scientific explanation for any of what I just told you. I rarely dream, but I guess they could have been dreams, and when I was in the hospital, I was on some pretty "good" drugs, but I still think what I felt was real. If anyone had told me a while ago that I'd see and feel these things, I would have thought they were nuts. If it's the mind messing with us, then we should be able to "see" what we want to see - I would have seen Angel and my Daddy, but I haven't

[Shannon's Mom]

I would give anything to have my pets visit me. I always thought I felt Noodles climb into bed at night but have yet to "see" or feel Shannon. I would just like to know she is alright and forgives me for dropping the ball. She is in my thoughts first in the morning and last at night.

[Sue and Kids]

Peg, don't lose hope or get discouraged. My first kitty, Snowball, didn't come to me for years. I had thought that maybe she didn't forgive me or love me, but she did finally come in my dreams. I hope Shannon visits you sooner rather than later. Of course, I don't know why some take longer to visit than others.

I have always felt our angels visit us in our dreams. But I know some people say, "It's just wishful thinking". I have had three very profound visits from my babies, when I was wide awake. There is no person in this world who can convince me that they didn't happen or that my sweethearts didn't visit me.

I'm so sorry for all of you here who have recently lost your furbabies. It feels like your heart is being torn out of your body. As time goes on, you learn to plod through each day. But life is never the same. I lost my Snowball kitty on October 8th and my Sparky doggy on October 10th. Fall is such a hard, sad time. I lost my Leo kitty on September 16th and my Frosty kitty on November 12th. I dread fall every year.

This year, reading your sad stories of losing your angels, brought back the pain especially hard. No matter how much time goes by and you try to get on with your life (knowing your babies are at the Bridge), there are still moments when the pain and grief blindside you again.

I'm sending many prayers and healing thoughts for you, Peg, Karen and Cleo. You want so desperately to hold your babies again. Each night, when I go to sleep, I have a second pillow I hold tight, pretending I'm hugging each of my babies. It's a sad alternative, but sometimes it helps a little bit.

Take care, everyone. I hope you all can find some rest and peace.

Sue (And Kids!)

[Sue and Kids]

I'm so sorry. I re-read my last post. It doesn't appear I can edit it after it's sent.

Tina, I certainly didn't mean to omit you. You've had so many terrible losses lately.

Take care, everyone. ((((((((Tears and Hugs))))))) for all of you.

Sue (And Kids!)

[k9Karen]

Sue - there should be an "Edit" button in the upper right hand corner of your post. If you click on it, you should be able to edit your post. I do it all the time - usually to fix a typing or spelling error. In fact, I had to edit this becuase of a typing error. A the bottom of the block this post appears in, it will say that it was edited one time.

[Sue and Kids]

Karen, you are absolutely right. I certainly had a "senior moment" there.

Thanks for the info.

Sue (And Kids!)

[Cleo]

When I was in the hospital a few years ago with a very high fever, right before I went into convulsions, I saw my Grandmother sitting on the chair in the corner of the room. Two other times I can recall, once after losing my child and another time when my depression was at it's worse, I woke up to the smell of Pond's cold cream. It's what she always smelled like so I know she's still looking out for me and pops in now and then when she feels I'm losing my way. We share the same birthday and I was the first granddaughter born out of 13 grandchildren, so we were always close. My child was named after her as well.

I guess I find this comforting.