My 10-year-old cat, Misty, was fatally attacked by a neighborhood dog two years ago and died in the veterinary hospital in the middle of his operation. I was at work on both occasions - the day he was attacked and the day he died - so I was pretty broken up because I wasn't there to say goodbye.

The following night I was lying in bed with my new kitten Leo. I was asleep but I woke up suddenly to feel a big weight land on the bottom of my bed. I knew it wasn't Leo because he was much too tiny at the time. I knew it was Misty because of the weight (he was a big cat!) and just a sense of 'knowing'. As soon as he jumped on the bed, Leo immediately ran up to me and cuddled up on my chest. Misty stayed for a couple of minutes, and then left. I was sad, but I also felt a sense of peace because I knew this was Misty's way of saying goodbye.

Was this experience difficult to express in words?

No

Did you hear the deceased or hear something associated with the deceased?         

No

Did you feel a touch or experience any physical contact from the deceased?         

Yes

I felt Misty jump on the bottom of my bed, and felt him sit on my legs.

            Was the touch familiar or unfamiliar? 

Very familiar - he used to wake me up in the same way when he was alive.

          Was anything communicated by the touch? 

To me it just felt like he was saying "I'm here, and I'm okay."

            Is there any possibility what you felt was from any other source present in the surroundings at the time of your experience?        

No way.

Did you see the deceased?       

No

Did you smell a distinct smell, scent, fragrance or odor associated with the deceased?  

No

How long did the experience last?      

About 1 - 2 minutes.

Was the beginning and end of the experience gradual or more sudden?         

Quite sudden - I was asleep and then awake, and suddenly felt him on my bed.

Could you sense the emotions or mood of the deceased?         

Yes

He was carrying on as if he hadn't gone - like it was no big deal.

How do you currently view the reality of your experience?        

Experience was definitely real

          Please explain why you view the reality of your experience as real or not real:  

As I said, my kitten was too small at the time to create such a big weight on the bottom of the bed!

          Was the experience dream like in any way? 

No

Describe in detail your feelings/emotions during the experience:        

A mixture of sadness and peace.

Was there any emotional healing in any way following the experience?         

Yes

I know he's okay and he's happy where he is now.

What was the best and worst part of your experience?   

The best part was knowing that he was all right. The worst part - he didn't hang around long after he said goodbye and I still miss him.

Did you have any changes of attitudes or beliefs following the experience?            Yes    I now definitely believe that after death communication is possible.

Did you observe or hear anything regarding people or events during your experience that could be verified later?         No

What emotions did you feel during the experience?          Peace

Was the experience witnessed or experienced by others?          Yes

My kitten Leo was sleeping on the bottom of my bed at the time and as soon as Misty jumped on the bed, Leo ran up to sit on my chest.

Have you shared this experience with others?        Yes    Most of my family have open minds, so when I told them they agreed that it was possible that Misty came back that night.

Have you shared this experience formally or informally with any other researcher or web site?   No

 Is there anything else you would like to add regarding your experience?          Just over a year later I went into hospital to have my wisdom teeth out. I believe Misty came to be with me during the operation. I could "feel" him sitting on the operating table next to me while I was asleep.

Were there any associated medications or substances with the potential to affect the experience?     No

Following the experience, have you had any other events in your life, medications or substances which reproduced any part of the experience?    No 

Did you ever in your life have a near-death experience, out of body experience or other spiritual event?  No