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Kari
01-05-2006, 12:39 AM
This is actually an entry that I just typed for my LJ, but I felt it might be fitting to share here and to see what others think or if anyone else has had similar experiences. Corianne was "my" dog of our family's four dachsies, and she passed away from cancer in October. I'm at grad school in Ohio, so I couldn't be there when she was put to sleep which has been somewhat upsetting to me because I sort of felt like I should have been there, to say goodbye, hold her, pet her, something. I really can't even think about that day without tears welling up, even though I know she was very loved on that day, held my dad, and both he and mom were there when she went to the bridge. I guess the reason I feel so bad is not only because I couldn't be there but that I didn't even get to see her at all in the last few months of her life. She was too old for me to take her with me because all she had known was life with the other three, so we figured it would be too upsetting for her. But I hate that I didn't even get to say goodbye. :( Anyway, now that I've rambled on, here's the journal entry:

I had a very odd dream last night. Actually it was sometime this morning between when the lady at Ace woke me up and when I actually got up at noon. But anyway, I dreamed that while I was at home, my dog, who had to be put to sleep a few days after my birthday, appeared to me in some kind of spirit form. I was basically standing at the door and suddenly saw her out in the yard. I made mom come out there and although mom couldn't see her, she could see the mulch moving where Corie was digging. So she believed me. Then she turned around and went back in the house, I guess to let me be alone with Corie.

I had a little heart to heart with spirit Corie, during which I never referred to her by her name -- only as "sweetheart" or "sweetie." (Unusual because it was mom who called her those names, I always called her by her name, or Annie or Sissy.) Basically I was apologizing for having not been there when she got sick and subsequently passed away. She walked over to me and just looked at me. I tried to pet her but my hand went through her. Then I tried to pet Tyler, who was always Corie's snuggle buddy, and he yelped and jumped back. I wasn't sure why, but he did. I tried again and he did the same thing and ran away that time. Then Corie turned around to walk away and disappeared, but I could still hear her feet in the mulch and see that she was still "there," just not visible. I sat there for a few minutes more watching the mulch move around and then asked her if she could show herself to me again or if she was too tired, then I woke up.

I'm surprised I still remember it that vividly even more than 12 hours later, since I usually don't remember dreams that well beyond about the first 10 minutes after I wake up. I'm just sort of wondering what it means. Being as that I believe in spirits and ghosts and such things, I see this event at something that could have happened, even though it really didn't. Or maybe it did, on an unconscious level. Maybe Corie's spirit was visiting me this morning because she knew I had something to say to her. I don't know. There's got to be some kind of meaning there though. I'm sure Tyler's involvement and his running away from me after I tried to touch Corie probably has some kind of meaning to, though I'm not sure what.

I guess I need a really good dream interpreter or something. Although I know I'll never find one and I'll never really know what this dream means. I just wanted to type it out before I did forget it. And since I'll probably never know what it really means, I'll just believe that I was, on some level, talking to Corie last night.

SirOliversMom
01-05-2006, 12:46 AM
I don't know what your dream meant but I sure think by the sounds of it, that it was you saying goodbye to your sweetie.

It's a great dream and lucky you that you had it. My condolences for your loss.:hug2:

Heide
01-05-2006, 05:02 AM
that compares to the feelings, that we go through when a loved one passes. You were able now to say goodbye.
I am so sorry for your loss of your sweetie:hug2:

Marion
01-05-2006, 08:20 AM
I also think the dream was a way for you to say goodbye - :hugs1: for you, and thank-you for sharing that with us.

willsana
01-05-2006, 08:30 AM
I have had a few similar dreams since the passing of my Dachshund, Duffy, four years ago. These dreams are more "real" than other dreams. I remember them much longer. Just like you have discribed. And the sensations I felt in the dream are remembered more like a real experience. I wonder about the meaning of them too. I like to think she IS visiting me. :)

yolanda
01-05-2006, 09:14 AM
I believe Corianne was letting you tell her goodbye and letting you know it is OK. She knew you loved her and still do.

dutchman
01-05-2006, 11:45 AM
Kari,

Thank you for sharing. Here is a poem that was sent to me when I lost my Aggie. I post it from time to time in the memorials section but it seems to somewhat mirror your deream so I thought you might enjoy reading it.

-----BEGIN ATTACHMENT-------------
The Spirit of a Dachshund

I was standing on a hillside
In a field of blowing wheat
And the spirit of a Dachshund
Was lying at my feet.

He looked at me with kind dark eyes
An ancient wisdom shining through
And in the essence of his being
I saw love there too.

His mind did lock upon my heart
As I stood there on that day
And he told me of this story
About a place far away.

I stood upon the hillside
In a field of blowing wheat
And in a twinkling of a second
His spirit left my feet.

His tale did put my heart at ease
My fears did fade away
About what lay ahead of me
On another distant day.

"I live among God's creatures now
In the heavens of your mind
So do not grieve for me, my friend
As I am with my kind.

My collar is a rainbow's hue
My leash a shooting star
My boundaries are the Milky Way
Where I sparkle from afar.

There are no pens or kennels here
For I am not confined
But free to roam God's heavens
Among my Dachsie kind.

I nap the day on a snowy cloud
Gentle breezes rocking me
And dream the dreams of earthlings
And how it used to be.

The trees are full of liver treats
And tennis balls abound
And Milkbones line the walkways
Just waiting to be found.

There even is a ring set up
The grass all lush and green
And everyone who gaits around
Becomes the Best of Breed.

For we're all winners in this place
We have no faults, you see
And God passes out those ribbons
To each one, even me.

I drink from waters laced with gold
My world a beauty to behold
And wise old dogs do form my pride
To amble at my very side.

At night I sleep in an angel's arms
Her wings protecting me
And moonbeams dance about us
As stardust falls on thee.

So when your life on earth is spent
And you stand at Heaven's gate
Have no fear of loneliness
For here, you know I wait".

~author unknown~


__________________

Kari
01-05-2006, 12:07 PM
What a wonderful poem... :) It does seem to mirror my dream. And I know it's true. ;)

Thanks everybody for the hugs and thoughts :)

I miss her, but I know she's in a better place. And I like to think she was visiting me too. ;)

My mom and I once had the same dream on the same night about my great-grandfather (her grandfather) and we believe his spirit visited both of us that night -- there's no other way to explain it. So maybe my Annie was visiting me yesterday. I hope so. :)

DoxieCrazy
01-05-2006, 04:47 PM
I believe that spirits of those who have passed on do visit us in our dreams.

It appears that your Corianne did the same thing, probably sensing your sadness and regret with not being with her in her final moments. I think your dream was her way of telling you it's okay.

Another perfect example of how our doxies continue to love us unconditionally, even after they've passed.

:hug2:

Rupert's Mommy
01-05-2006, 11:52 PM
I think she was visiting you too. I interpreted the dream to mean that she wanted you to know she is still with you and there for you, that's why when you petted her your hand went through her and she dissappeared so you couldn't quite touch her, but you could still see her feet, still sense her being there. I think it was her way of letting you know that she is okay and that she will be watching over you and thinking about you :angel: Every once in a while I have a dream out of the blue of somebody that has passed away, and I really do believe it is just their way of saying hi, I haven't forgotten you, and I am watching over you. :heart:

Kari
01-06-2006, 12:27 AM
I think you're right. :) There will never be a replacement for Annie...who could demand Milk Bones and marshmallows by name and tell people she was "really really sorry." ;) She was a sweetie and I'll always miss her.

It's nice to know that there are others out there who have experiences like this too...lets me know I'm not crazy. Heh.