Messengers from beyond

 I have come to believe that when a being leaves our earth they leave
an energy behind or visit us in some way that sometimes we are lucky enough to feel. 

Years ago we fostered a wonderful elderly pug named Max after his owner passed away and the owner’s elderly friend could no longer care for him.  Max was already about 12 years old so we knew we would have him  for the rest of his days on earth as no one would want to adopt a dog of that age.  He was a dignified, sweet Pug who remained a bit aloof from our other dogs.  After we had Max about 6 weeks he became ill and was diagnosed with pneumonia.  Despite treatment he did not improve and on an x-ray was diagnosed with a tumor around his heart.  We sadly let Max go.  We knew it was time for him to go find his real owner — we had only had him on loan until he was ready to go.  That afternoon after he left this earth I took one of my Labs tracking.  As I pulled into the parking lot where my track was laid it began raining.  “Great” I thought, “just how my day is going”…….and then I looked up at the sky and this beautiful rainbow suddenly appeared.   I realized it was Max saying good-bye and telling me he was reunited with his precious owner.  Through my tears I also felt a sense of peace.

 Then when Lily suddenly died 2 years ago,  the next a.m. I went outside and 7 sand hill cranes suddenly landed on the hillside near our house.  We had never seen sand hlls there although we’ve heard them on occasion in the woods about a half mile away.  They have never landed on that hillside since.  I feel they were sent by Lily to check up on me.  Everytime I hear a sand hill crane now I feel Lily has been here to check on me and send me her love. 

 Fast forward to March 16th, 2008.  As I wrote previously my good friend, Karen, passed away that day.  Sunday a.m. when I got up the first thought I had was of Karen as I knew she wasn’t doing well and her time to leave was near.  It was a spring-like day so after I let my horses out I just stood in the sun watching them and thinking about her and her family.  A huge flock of geese flew over and then I heard sand hill cranes and knew in my heart she was gone.  The next day,  I was walking back to work by Hilldale Mall in Madison when 2 sand hill cranes flew over (I have two co-workers as witnesses).  Very unusual to hear sand hills in the city and this has never happened there before — I believe it was Karen’s energy in the area making sure her family is okay.

Missing special friends

Two days ago a friend of mine passed away from cancer. It is such a nasty disease — it seems to always win in the end…….I first met Karen about 18 years ago when I was showing my Lab, Reilly, in obedience and she was showing her Flat-coated Retriever Sadie in the same classes. I believe we first started talking on an out of sight stay and kept running into each other at obedience trials. Both our dogs and us became friends. In fact Reilly became madly in love with Sadie (he was neutered so no danger of “Flatadors” there). When they were together they ran around and played but he also flirted with her. She was the only dog he ever flirted with his entire life although when he met her daughter he tried to flirt with her until he realized it wasn’t Sadie!

Karen gave a lot back to the sport of obedience and taught some wonderful classes at our kennel club including a much in demand “attention” class. She also got involved in tracking, hunt tests and agility and she and I traveled to some events together. Even when her cancer reoccurred she remained cheerful and optimistic. In fact I still thought she would beat this round of cancer but realized about 2 weeks ago it wasn’t going to happen. On Friday, after a rally obedience trial, a little voice in my head said to call her house and see how she was doing. I spoke with her daughter who was here helping care for her and realized time was short. Fortunately they said I could come visit.

Even though I realized she was dying it wasn’t easy to see her in so much pain. I won’t go into all the details of our visit but I learned something by going — if you have a friend who is terminally ill, go see them NOW. Tell them what their friendship means to you, if you love them tell them so, give them a hug, say your good byes. You will be glad you did. I know I am.

On top of that, today is the 2 year anniversary of my precious Lily’s unexpected death. They say time heals everything but apparently in some cases it takes much more time than others. There isn’t a day I don’t think of her at least once. Her photos, leash and collar and ashes are right by me here on my desk. I just haven’t been able to move them yet. Her daughters Sprout and Sprite are here as a reminder of her but they aren’t her or much like her. I have a tribute to Lily on my web page and a link to a story about her here: www.dunnsmarshlabs.com/lasttunnel.html

So today I am missing my friend, Karen and my precious gift from God, Lily. I love you both and will never forget either of you.