#1 Experience description:  

The first time I felt a strong sense of presence was shortly after my beloved pet dog Charlie had to be put to sleep due to cancer. Within an hour of his passing, I was overpowered by the sudden feeling he was in front of me and his thoughts of love and thankfulness were incredibly strong. I had never experienced this sort of thing before so I felt stunned by it.  I was profoundly affected by the strength of his presence and the emotions. 

We had rescued Charlie from the humane society after he was rescued from a terrible breeder. Before we got him, he had never been allowed to be a dog until he was with us. He had never been loved or loved a person until us.

His "thoughts" made sense. 

Since I had that experience, I now watch for and am aware of my other pets visiting shortly after passing. The feeling of their presence is very strong. When their personality hits you it is like they just walked into a room, it is beyond my imagination which is much weaker. One interesting note - I had one cat visit after her passing and she was FURIOUS that I had not let her die at home like I had planned. Not what I expected after Charlie. 

Just a note: it seems the visits are usually within half an hour after they've passed, and I had to have been there at their death. We live on a farm and my indoor animals are far stronger when it comes to visitations.  

This weekend, I just put to sleep an outdoor cat whom I loved as much as my indoor pets. A visit happened with him too but it was fast and fleeting with no thoughts attached. I just felt him right behind me where his body was in a pet carrier. Then he was gone. But again we didn't have the same connection and experience that I might living with a pet day in and day out.

Was this experience difficult to express in words?  No

However, telling people is difficult as most listen politely but don't have a clue.

Did you ONLY sense an awareness of presence of the deceased without actually seeing, hearing, feeling or smelling them?            Yes

Did you hear the deceased or hear something associated with the deceased?          No

            Describe what you heard, how clearly you heard it and what was communicated:    It is like a telepathic communication. No words being said but the words and ideas are FELT and heard internally.

            Did the voice or sound seem to originate externally or outside of you, inside you, or did you not hear a voice or sound, but had a sense of knowing what was communicated?  Inside but not as a voice but as a strong feeling of knowing what they are thinking.

            Is there any possibility what you heard was from any other source present in the surroundings at the time of your experience?           no.

            Was there any possible impairment to your hearing at the time of the experience?   no

Did you feel a touch or experience any physical contact from the deceased?            No

Did you see the deceased?         No

I just saw Charlie in my minds eyes. However the vision of him was so strong, I even shook my head to clear it but he was still there gazing up at me with complete love.

            How clearly did the deceased appear?            In my minds eyes it was a very strong image. White shaggy little dog with big brown eyes gazing up at me.

            How much of the deceased did you see?       All of him as if he was sitting in front of me.

            Is there any possibility what you saw was from any other source present in the surroundings at the time of your experience?           No. It was not me wanting to see him. It came out of the blue when I escaped to be by myself for a moment to grieve after we put him to sleep.  I didn't expect a happy dog image. I was still at the stage of sick dog dying in my arms.

Did you smell a distinct smell, scent, fragrance or odor associated with the deceased?      No

How long did the experience last?        30 second maybe

Was the beginning and end of the experience gradual or more sudden?         he appeared, I sensed his thankfulness and love and then it was over.

Could you sense the emotions or mood of the deceased?           Yes

That is the way I experience things. It is always through feeling their mood and emotions and sometimes what they want to say to me. When I was a kid I was very shy and I used to read people without looking at them. I would just stop and feel their personalities. I think this is the same thing.

Did the deceased give you information you did not previously know?  no

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:           I was wide awake when it occurred. I was so surprised and affected by how strong the impression of him was and the feelings of love and gratefulness.  it made it more valid. I had just put a very sick in pain dog to sleep. I didn't expect to see him happy and gazing up at me with complete love half an hour later.

            Was the experience dream like in any way?   No

I was wide awake and didn't expect the experience at all. I just wanted to escape to grieve for a moment.

Describe in detail your feelings/emotions during the experience:           I was stunned. I shuck my head to clear it but I couldn't get rid of the image of Charlie dog gazing up at me. His presence was so strong I could feel him for another half hour.

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

I still grieved but I held on to that visitation so that I can believe he is ok. Since then I've had it happen with other pets who have passed on. Not every one of them but many of them.

What was the best and worst part of your experience?      No bad part at all. Just confirmation that my loved ones are ok if not better than ok. Very happy in fact.

Has your life changed specifically as a result of your experience?         No                   Describe:      I just have a much stronger belief in that maybe we do survive and we may not understand what we can't prove but the reality is there anyway.

Did you have any changes of attitudes or beliefs following the experience?   Yes     Over time, as experiences build, my beliefs become more entrenched. I can't write them off. Each visit is incredibly unique. Also if I just imagine the pet visiting it is weak and there is no real sense of their personality. When this kind of experience happens out of the blue, there is no question who it is.

Did the experience give you any spiritual understandings such as life, death, afterlife, God, etc.?            Yes     I was always ambivalent to afterlife... science vs. belief.  But my experiences have all been very unique and different for each pet I've lost.  It is hard to ignore them. I believe that there is something we can't see nor touch but sometimes those who passed on can come back to visit. I've experienced this too many times now with other pets who've passed on.  It seems I have to be there at their death for it to happen. If they pass when I'm not there, I don't always get a visit.

Death Compacts are when two or more living people promise among themselves that whoever dies first will try to contact the other(s).  Have you ever made such a compact?        No

Kind of. I always tell my pets to come back and visit. Many do at least that first time. Two former pet cats did a few times.

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?            awe, gratefulness, amazed

Was the experience witnessed or experienced by others?           No

Did you have any sense of altered space or time?   No

Did you have a sense of knowing, special knowledge, universal order and/or purpose?    No

Did you become aware of future events?       No

I recently had a dream warning me about a death coming just a week before my farm cat passed away on he weekend. My dreams don't always plug in the right person but they are always correct on the reality of what is coming.  Also, If I dream of someone I know and they talk to me, I listen because I know the next time I see or hear from them, it will be as in the dream. How they feel about themselves or me.

Did you have any psychic, paranormal or other special gifts following the experience that you did not have prior to the experience?         Yes

After I experienced my visit from Charlie, I began to wait for it whenever I put a pet to sleep due to illness or old age.  Sure enough within half an hour I now get a distinct feeling of a pet's presence followed by its thoughts after I have had to put them to sleep due to illness. One cat was furious at me for putting her to sleep at the vets instead of letting her stay home. Later I felt that same cat presence but this time she was thrilled and happy in her new form. I could feel her absolute joy. Meanwhile I had been crying just an hour before.

Have you shared this experience with others?         Yes     Most people just nod and listen, even those who have had their own experiences. It is like saying I saw an elephant fly.  People have a hard time believing the impossible.

Have you shared this experience formally or informally with any other researcher or web site?            Yes

I've told my pet visit stories with other websites on these subjects. It is a place to share my experiences and I know some reader is probably experiencing similar things. Other people, just need to hear that maybe their loved ones are ok as well.

 Is there anything else you would like to add regarding your experience?       I value these experiences or visits. They are not scary because they are my loved ones. I am always fully awake when they happen. I can also know the difference from wishing for a visit from a real visit. The real visit has such a strong sense of their personality. It is overpowering. When it is just a "want a visit" it is much weaker and that sense of personality is not there. Also I'm a healthy believer skeptic. I've been to the odd psychic after a death but I could see full well they were faking it or badly cold reading. Most wouldn't even mention a cat or dog which was always disappointing, even when I asked them out right.

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?           Yes 

Just through meditation.  I knew when we were about to adopt our daughter months before.  When I dream about people I take note of their emotions, thoughts and how they are.  They are always accurate when I see that person later. My dreams even predicted a breakup fight. I even tried to avoid meeting the person. It happened anyway.

Did the questions asked and information you provided accurately and comprehensively describe your experience?               Yes

Please offer any suggestions you may have to improve this questionnaire.    I have several experiences to share so having to split them up was difficult as they all came through the same way but with different reactions.

#2 EXPERIENCE DESCRIPTION

My cat Rosie passed from cancer after my dog Charlie had passed six months earlier.  I had promised Rosie to let her die at home. In fact on her final day she trotted outside over to a hole in the grass and purred happily. I told her no, she wasnt dying outside. Later at supper time, she started going into a coma. I couldnt bear to watch her so I chickened out of my former decision and called a vet. I rushed her in and to have her put to sleep. She couldnt move anymore by the time we reached the vets office but her tail wagged when we went inside the building.  

Afterwards, as we drove home I waited to see if I would feel her like I had Charlie. Charlie had visited right after he had passed. It had been a sudden great sense of presence along with great feelings of love and thankfulness. Charlie was the first time I ever really experienced that BIG sense of presence. 

Now, I wondered if I would get the same feelings of love from Rosie.  As we drove down the road and neared our house, I wanted to tell my husband to keep driving. Rosie was back at the house and I could feel that she was furious that I had not allowed her to die at home! The feeling lasted until we got inside the house. Later that night, I felt her again but now she was exhilarated and happy. She was so thrilled to be feeling good. 

One year later while I was out helping my husband fence, I suddenly had a strong sense of her again. I wasnt expecting it or waiting for it, it just happened. I decided to call out to her and tell her I loved her. Her presence grew stronger and filled with love. She seemed very pleased. 

A couple of years later I lost a third pet, my cat Dexter. He died of a heart attack due to diabetes and bad insulin. When he suddenly appeared in my mind's eye, he too was ecstatic about his new state of being and feeling good. He looked up at me in this very solid vision as if to say, "what?! I'm busy!" I couldnt cry for almost a year because I had to laugh every time I thought of that happy face that had filled my mind after his passing. He was so thrilled.   

It seems that if I am going to have these final visits from my pets spirits it is within half an hour of their passing and I was there when they passed. Each experience has been very different and often surprising.  Because of these experiences, now whenever a pet has to be put to sleep due to old age and illness, I wait to see if they will visit and if they have any thoughts about it. Furious, grateful. what do you want?

Was this experience difficult to express in words?  No

Did you ONLY sense an awareness of presence of the deceased without actually seeing, hearing, feeling or smelling them?            Yes

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

            Describe what you heard, how clearly you heard it and what was communicated:    It was more just knowing how they felt and what they were thinking. Telepathic would be best.

            Did the voice or sound seem to originate externally or outside of you, inside you, or did you not hear a voice or sound, but had a sense of knowing what was communicated?  I felt it.

Did you feel a touch or experience any physical contact from the deceased?            No

Did you see the deceased?         Uncertain

It was an overwhelming vision in my mind's eye.

            How clearly did the deceased appear?            This was all felt and they appeared in my minds eye. But Mostly I just felt their thoughts and their personalities.

            How healthy did the deceased appear to be?            They were all very happy. Considering they had just died and looked sick and awful, they all seemed incredibly happy.

            Is there any possibility what you saw was from any other source present in the surroundings at the time of your experience?           No

Did you smell a distinct smell, scent, fragrance or odor associated with the deceased?      No

How long did the experience last?        I don't know, 30 seconds?

Was the beginning and end of the experience gradual or more sudden?         I just felt like I understood the message. Then it all faded. I lost an outdoor farm cat last week. I only felt his presence for seconds but it was strong but with no particular thoughts attached to it. Just that he was right behind me in a car where his body lay in a cat carrier. Then he was gone.

Could you sense the emotions or mood of the deceased?           Yes

that is how I get the visits. it is an overwhelming feeling of their presence/personality and their emotions - angry, happy, grateful.

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:           Each visitation was completely different. I didn't expect Charlie to visit at all and Was overwhelmed by the love and gratefulness. Because of that experience I never expected in a million years that Rosie would be so FURIOUS about being taken to the vet.  And I laughed when I saw Dexter peering at me with a look of What? I'm Busy? and being very happy to feel good.

That is what really made them real to me. Each one reacted differently from the other.

            Was the experience dream like in any way?   No

It is like an overpowering sense of feeling of them and their emotions. Sort of like when you are with a group of people grieving or angry. The mood is so strong it permeates the room.

Describe in detail your feelings/emotions during the experience:           In awe.  Totally focused on what was happening because it was so strong. It wasn't like an idling daydream.

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

I couldn't grieve for Dexter because he had been so happy to be where he was. Having Rosie visit three times with very different emotions also made it seem that I can't see them, but they are right there.

What was the best and worst part of your experience?      No worst part. Very rewarding.

Has your life changed specifically as a result of your experience?         Yes                 Describe:      I am comfortable with death. I don't like it. I don't like losing loved ones at all. But I can comfort and find the right words to say to people. I don't shy away from someone grieving. Im also open to people sharing their stories. It is amazing how many people do have stories. I also "feel" for their presence. If it happens it is very identifiable.

Did you have any changes of attitudes or beliefs following the experience?   No       There is still the odd time I think, maybe I made it up, but I didn't. Rosie really taught me that.

Did the experience give you any spiritual understandings such as life, death, afterlife, God, etc.?            Yes     They aren't gone, we just can't see them. It is like they are living on another plain that we just can't get to.

Death Compacts are when two or more living people promise among themselves that whoever dies first will try to contact the other(s).  Have you ever made such a compact?        No

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?            Awe, fear with Rosie, relief

Was the experience witnessed or experienced by others?           No

Did you have any sense of altered space or time?   No

Did you have a sense of knowing, special knowledge, universal order and/or purpose?    No

Did you become aware of future events?       No

Did you have any psychic, paranormal or other special gifts following the experience that you did not have prior to the experience?         N0 comment

Just now when someone passes I feel for them, meaning I wait to see if I will sense them visiting.

Did you experience a separation of your consciousness from your body?     No

Did you meet or see any other beings other than the deceased?            No

Did you see a light?           No

Did any part of your experience seem to occur in a place other than the location described above?            No

Have you shared this experience with others?         Yes     They listen but some look at me like I'm deluding myself. Some share their own experiences.

Have you shared this experience formally or informally with any other researcher or web site?            Yes

It was a ghost web site. I wrote about it for others who have had   experience similar to mine.  I think it will either comfort or give an AH HA moment to someone who has had similar experiences.

 Is there anything else you would like to add regarding your experience?       It feels overwhelming at the time. Trouble is, if I don't feel a visit after a pet dies now I am hurt that they didn't visit. Sounds silly.

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 

Did the questions asked and information you provided accurately and comprehensively describe your experience?               Yes

 

#3 EXPERIENCE DESCRIPTION

After my grandmother's funeral everyone gathered in a hall for tea and cakes.  Some of my cousins who are middle aged were sitting at a table together talking. A woman came up to them and told them she was Aunt Dossie. That she wanted to tell them that there was a cracked blue vase at one of my aunt's house that belonged to someone else.  Then she turned as if to greet someone. They said she seemed to turn to greet Gran.  Then she was gone. 

They went over to mu uncle Leslie later and asked who Aunt Dossie was. They had never heard of her.  Leslie informed them that Aunt Dossie was my Gran's oldest sister and she had been more of a mother figure to my Gran than her mother had been. They had been very close. Aunt Dossie had died in the 1940s. This was 2007. 

Later, two of my aunts had a psychic visit their home, very easy and common in England. He said to one of my aunts, "your mam says she is sorry that she took your dog. She was feeling lonely."  Llittle did he know that those two aunts who had arranged for him to come to their home had indeed had their little dog die on the same day as Gran had died.

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

            Describe what you heard, how clearly you heard it and what was communicated:            Apparently she was like a very alive person talking to them.

            Did the voice or sound seem to originate externally or outside of you, inside you, or did you not hear a voice or sound, but had a sense of knowing what was communicated?  She talked directly to them.

            Is there any possibility what you heard was from any other source present in the surroundings at the time of your experience?           No

            Was there any possible impairment to your hearing at the time of the experience?   No

Did you see the deceased?         Yes

She was as real as anyone else in the room.

            How clearly did the deceased appear?            Solid

            How much of the deceased did you see?       all of her

            Did the deceased appear or not appear to be the age at which they died?       Don't know. They didn't know who she was.

            How healthy did the deceased appear to be?            Normal

            Is there any possibility what you saw was from any other source present in the surroundings at the time of your experience?           no

How long did the experience last?        a short conversation

Was the beginning and end of the experience gradual or more sudden?         Apparently she turned as if to greet Gran and then that was it.

Did the deceased give you information you did not previously know?  She talked about a blue vase with a crack in it. I don't know if it was ever looked into.

How do you currently view the reality of your experience?          
            Please explain why you view the reality of your experience as real or not real:           Because my cousins were not a bunch of kids sitting around making up stories. They were adults wondering who Aunt Dossie was.

            Was the experience dream like in any way?   No

What was the best and worst part of your experience?      Hearing about this made me very happy. It was an amazing experience for 4 people who were adults and didn't know about Dossie.

Did the experience give you any spiritual understandings such as life, death, afterlife, God, etc.?        I thought it was wonderful.

Did you observe or hear anything regarding people or events during your experience that could be verified later?          Yes My uncle confirming who Aunt Dossie was.

Was the experience witnessed or experienced by others?           Yes

Have you shared this experience with others?         Just family.

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

Did the questions asked and information you provided accurately and comprehensively describe your experience?               Yes