| Animals for many of us hold a special place in our lives | | | | leash. Even though she may not physically be here |
| and hearts. This was the case for our family dog, | | | | anymore, I know that her spirit will visit whenever the |
| Crystal, who unfortunately passed on Monday, May | | | | neighbors cat is in our yard, when my dad goes for a |
| 3rd 2010. She had developed a cancerous tumor in her | | | | drive, or to lay in our yard on sunny days. Even talking |
| mouth in September of 2009. Since September, my | | | | to our animals that have passed on can bring their spirit |
| family and I knew that we could be faced with having | | | | closer to us. |
| to make the decision to put her to sleep. The week | | | | One of the most common things I have heard others |
| before, we felt that it was the best decision to make. | | | | say about losing an animal, is "It takes a while to get |
| She had been full of energy up until Monday, but we | | | | used to them not being there. You walk in thinking they |
| were concerned that the tumor may spread into the | | | | will be there, and then you realize that it actually |
| back of her throat, cutting off vital oxygen. Afterwards, | | | | happened. They are not there anymore." I finally |
| I had been sitting with my Mom, and she asked me | | | | understood what others had meant by that Tuesday |
| "Do you think a part of her will stay?" meaning her | | | | morning. I expected to see Crystal laying in our front |
| spirit. I immediately answered without hesitation "Yes. I | | | | yard in the sun. I started to think, "What if she really is |
| do." | | | | there, and I am sensing her." Honestly, I believe that is |
| I know that every animal lover who believes in the | | | | what it was. I was sensing her. It would seem crazy to |
| existence of spirits will agree with me. Animals develop | | | | me that she would not visit us. |
| their own personality, and become part of the family. | | | | When others feel that they expect their pets to be |
| The typical scene in movies and commercials of the | | | | there, I would be willing to bet their animal is still there |
| loyal dog waiting patiently at the door for you to come | | | | watching over them, making sure that their family is |
| home, riding in the passenger seat of a car or truck | | | | okay. When they know their family is okay, I believe |
| with their head in the wind, and coming in your room in | | | | they move on. This is the point in time when I believe |
| the morning to wake you up may all be cliche, but they | | | | families adjust to and fully realize the fact their animal |
| are all true. | | | | has passed on, since their spirit is not there as often |
| Crystal developed her own personality, and her unique | | | | anymore since they know their family is okay. |
| habits. She always laid in our front yard on sunny days, | | | | However, they will always visit time to time to say hi |
| and made it her passion to chase the cat across the | | | | and sit in their favorite spots. |
| street when he strayed into our yard. My dad could | | | | If you know anyone that has recently lost a pet, send |
| not go for a drive anywhere without Crystal bounding | | | | this article to them. Knowing that the spirit of a pet is |
| up the stairs blocking the door until he grabbed her | | | | with you can help ease the pain, and give comfort. |