Introducing Georgia, a courageous and tenacious shepherd mix who embarked on a challenging journey filled with both heartache and triumph. Initially found at a remote gas station, Georgia’s future appeared uncertain. But fate took an unexpected turn when her pregnancy was discovered, offering her a fresh start, albeit with its own set of hurdles.
Following her rescue, Georgia, a petite shepherd mix, received a thorough veterinary examination that revealed her impending motherhood, with the puppies expected in about a month. As days passed, Georgia acclimated to her new environment, basking in the freedom and comfort of a welcoming backyard.
Her excitement peaked on the fifteenth day as she eagerly explored her whelping pool. However, tragedy struck on the twenty-fifth day when she went into premature labor. The puppies, too tiny to latch, faced vulnerability and struggled to survive. Two of Georgia’s pups sadly didn’t make it past birth. In a desperate bid to save Georgia’s life, an emergency C-section and spaying were performed.
While Georgia physically recuperated from the ordeal, emotional scars lingered as she yearned for her lost babies. In an effort to offer her comfort and purpose, three motherless newborn kittens were introduced to her on the twenty-seventh day. Despite her grief, Georgia’s nurturing instincts kicked in, and she wholeheartedly embraced the kittens as her own. Even though not all the kittens could latch, Georgia diligently cared for them, bottle-feeding them until they could thrive independently.
Regrettably, one of the kittens passed away, leaving two healthy and thriving babies, named Graffiti and Gumball. Georgia’s dedication to her surviving offspring remained steadfast, providing them with the love and care they needed to flourish. Day by day, the bond between Georgia and her kittens grew stronger, and they found solace and contentment in each other’s presence.
On the thirty-second day, Georgia proudly christened her babies—Graffiti, Gumball, and the newest addition, Goober. The little family flourished, with the kittens opening their eyes, gaining weight, and reveling in the love and protection of their devoted mother.
However, on the forty-fifth day, a new challenge arose as Georgia developed a visible tumor. This brave shepherd mix was about to embark on a journey of cancer treatment and recovery, temporarily separating her from her beloved kittens. Despite this setback, Georgia’s prognosis was positive, and a full recovery was anticipated.
Day 50 marked a new chapter for Georgia as she transitioned to her adoptive home under the name Milo. Her new dad, @torbazorb14, provided her with love, care, and unwavering support throughout her cancer treatment. Day by day, Georgia’s strength and resilience shone through, and on day 70, she completed her final chemo treatment. This resilient little lady, who had endured abandonment, loss, and medical challenges, emerged victorious.
As Georgia continued her recovery, her kittens rapidly grew. They reached a healthy weight of 2.5 pounds and reveled in newfound confidence. While the author, a self-proclaimed dog person, acknowledged missing the mischievous kittens, they celebrated the happy endings awaiting them.
On day 95, a long-awaited reunion unfolded between Georgia (now Milo) and her kitten Gumball, now known as Toby. However, reality didn’t quite align with fairy-tale expectations. Milo displayed a hint of fear, serving as a reminder that animals express their emotions honestly. Nevertheless, it marked a genuine and joyous ending for Milo and Toby.
Can pets see ghosts?
Spooky season is in full swing, meaning there may be some heightened paranormal activity afoot. In fact, a survey conducted by YouGov revealed that two in five Americans believe ghosts are real, while one in five people say they’ve actually encountered one.
The existence of ghosts may be up for debate, but one of the most persistent beliefs is that our animals can sense spirits or paranormal activity. We’ve all witnessed the scene in scary movies or TV shows, when the tiny dog barks at the door but no one is there. Sure, the movie may be fake, but many pet owners have noticed their dog or cat do the same in real life.
Of course, there’s only one thought that enters a pet owner’s mind when this occurs – that their animal is obviously interacting with a ghost. To set the record straight, we spoke with two animal communicators – aka, pet psychics – to learn whether our animals are really channeling the other side.
Why do we believe our pets can see ghosts in the first place? According to Phoebe Hoffman, an animal communicator and intuitive guide based in New York City, it has a lot to do with their heightened senses.
“Pets are living off of energy, whether it’s our energy or energy that we are not privy to, because we’re so limited in our senses compared to them,” Hoffman tells us. “Now, can I say that what they’re seeing is ghosts? I don’t know that because I’ve never seen a ghost. I’m not seeing what they’re seeing, but I’ve had many experiences with my own animals – which happen to be cats – where they are having an absolute moment with something that’s there that only they can witness.”
It goes without saying that animals have senses that are unknown to humans. When it comes to our beloved canines, dogs have the ability to hear much higher-pitched noises than their owners. The average adult human can’t hear sounds above 20,000 Hertz (Hz), while dogs can hear sounds as high as 47,000 to 65,000 Hz, per the American Kennel Club.
Meanwhile, cats are known to have great eyesight, especially in the dark. According to Texas A&M University, felines can dilate their pupils in low-light settings and they have a special reflective layer called the tapetum lucidum, which can reflect more light to the back of the eye.
“Non-human animals sense things in different ways than humans do. Cats, for instance, the way they see things is different from the way humans see things. Their eyesight is different, they can definitely perceive energies that we can’t or things that aren’t visible to the human eye,” Olivia LaBarre, an animal communicator and Reiki specialist based in NYC, tells us. “Most of the animals I communicate with have increased senses beyond the five senses.”
But what about those undeniable moments when our dog or cat appears to be reacting – or interacting – with something we can’t see? When they begin to bark or meow at nothing visible, stand in the corner, play with an object that belonged to a deceased family member, or assume behaviours that are characteristic of a former pet? For LaBarre – who’s been an animal communicator and grief worker for five years – her clients have noticed that, after one of their pets dies, their living animal will even start taking on some of the behaviours of the animal who passed.
When these moments occur, it’s important to look out for certain signs or signals that your dog or cat’s behaviour has suddenly shifted. This can look like playing with something that isn’t there, tilting their head, arching their back, or wagging their tail.
As for what pet owners should do when they believe their beloved animal is interacting with a ghost, experts agree to just sit back and let it happen. “Allow it, observe it, and just pay attention because it might be about you. Humans are very unaware of the mysteries of the universe. Animals, they’re tapped in. They are aware that energy doesn’t die,” says Hoffman. “Just let it happen. It’s not a bad thing.”
However, there could be the slight off chance that a poltergeist from the next Paranormal Activity instalment just so happens to be living in your kitchen. Then, of course, it’s time to call in the experts… or an exorcist.
Our pets’ heightened senses – and sometimes their silly, quirky, and erratic behaviour – has played into the belief that dogs and cats can see ghosts. Still, there’s much uncertainty about whether this long-standing superstition is actually true.
“We are so limited in our ability to see what the naked eye cannot see. Animals have this window into watching spirits and energy,” says Hoffman. “But as far as a ghost? That I don’t know, but I know they’re seeing something.”
Although it continues to be a mystery whether our pets’ senses are able to pick up on energies or spirits, pay close attention to your dog or cat this spooky season. Who knows what life forms will be lurking this Halloween?
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