A message from the other side...

I have always believed that the distance between this life and the next - those that are living and those that have passed on - is best described as a veil. I believe I have experienced this because I often talk to my mother who has been gone five years this May, and on occasion feel her presence beside me.....

Anyway, recently, my 17 year old dog died and I was devastated. If you are a follower of this blog - you already know how I felt about her..... As she past I kept my cool, but as soon as I got to the privacy of the car - my heart broke and I groaned with pain. I know it sounds dramatic, but if you are a dog lover you know what I am talking about.

Anyway,  I missed her everyday and miss her every time I get in the car, go to the beach, see a tennis ball or even go to bed. I miss holding her in my arms and kissing her but most of all, I miss touching her. I knew from experience that time heals and that Simba's passing would eventually not hurt, but I didn't realise that she would be the one that would help me... you see, I think that she has sent me a message from the other side.

A couple of weeks after Simba died my husband came home and said that he had heard Simba barking. He looked around and knew that dogs were not allowed where he was, but said he heard her barking again. He got the distinct impression that she was okay and that she wanted me to know that. The moment he told me that I knew it was true because I had a feeling that she was close... I can't explain it but my heart started to mend....

However, the most impressive message I have received has come in the most unlikely of forms - a black cat. This cat, who I have called Skinny because she had the skinniest legs that I had ever seen on a cat  - just walked into our lives. I had seen her earlier when Simba was alive but never paid her much attention as she was just one of the strays that were around.... and here she is.

Quite simply, she came into my home and my family and although against her experience as a stray cat she lets us stroke her and pat her. Her ears prick up when we call her Skinny and comes to us when we call, well she brushes her tail up against your hand when you call. She is still jittery when loud noises are made, and even looks like she is ready to skidattle in second but even those kinds of jerky movements are lessening. She is yet to allow me to hold her in my arms but this may come with time.

Unlike Simba, Skinny is not the prettiest of cats - and black as Simba was white... Her eyes are damaged and once we get to the vet, I'll know why, but she already gives my nieces the creeps because of it. Her tail is always up in the air which is different from Simba whose tail was broken and never lifted much.... She follows me when I get up and move around the house for no reason, and is content just sitting beside me doing nothing....

I'm trying not to like her, we all are - out of loyalty to Simba I guess...... but all I know is that when I wake up she is on my bed having jumped on sometime during the evening....... Surely, she has been sent as a message from the other side.

Thank you, and I love you Simba xx

Mxo