I think he's come back...

Larien · 12-08-2010, 12:53 AM

I'd like to share my story with everyone, if you are up to hearing it. I think partly, I just need to get it out and tell someone, and I'd also like to hear similar experiences and stories. Anyway, I apologize if it ends up long!

During the summer, my beloved Great Dane, Scout, was diagnosed with heart failure. My heart was broken - I was told he could pass out and die at any time. One night, he had a horrifying seizure and he collapsed in my arms on my bed, his bowels and bladder let go, he was out cold. I thought it was over, I was pleading with him - but he came to, and was okay. For a couple of months, he did great on his medication, he felt like a puppy again. I had hopes that even though he was 8 1/2 yrs. old (very old for a Dane), I'd have him a while longer. Then, we were blindsided.

On the night of August 9th, I noticed him acting strangely. He was foaming at the mouth, and walking with his back arched - I knew right away it was bloat, my biggest fear all of his life. I rushed him to an ER vet, who confirmed via x-ray it was indeed bloat. Surgery was available, but with his age and condition, he would not have survived it. The devastating decision was made to put him down.

I held him as it happened - I'd never before stayed with animal when they actually passed - and tried my best to stay calm and talk to him so as not to worry him. I kept telling him it was okay, that I loved him and we'd be together again one day. And I literally felt the life go out of him and my heart shatter at the same time. It was the hardest and most beautiful moment of my life.

But I was completely and utterly heartbroken. I took it extremely bad, I had (and to some degree, still do) severe depression, I didn't leave my bed. Nights were the worst - this dog had slept with me every single night next to me in my bed with his head on the pillow like a person since the day I brought him home, and now he wasn't there, and I couldn't take it.

After a week, a friend at dinner suggested I get a puppy. I was angry, and didn't want any part of it. But over the next week or so, I started thinking about it - and for some reason, something was telling me GSD very strongly. At first I casually searched but gradually became more serious in my efforts. I did a lot of research online and read up on the breed and what to look for - OFA, German imports, etc. - and emailed several breeders and saw a lot of pics, but no one spoke to me or it didn't work out, or the pup was sold already, and so on.

Then one breeder emailed me back with a photo of Remi at 6 weeks - the minute I saw it, I cried. I called her and sent a deposit, I had to have this puppy. It turned out he had been born on August 21st - 12 days after Scout passed.

I brought him home in mid-Oct. and he's been heaven sent in terms of helping me heal and making me happy, and keeping me busy. But lately, I've begun to notice striking similarities between him and Scout. I'll detail them below:

1) Rem was lying on the couch, on his side, my mom said hi to him, and he swung his front leg outward at her in a silly, exaggerated motion and put his paw in her hand (he hasn't been taught to shake) and we both gasped - this was something Scout did frequently when we greeted him.

2) He was rolling a ball around the floor and at one point, when it stopped, he hovered over it, staring down at it for a few seconds before pouncing. I even saw his little cheeks hang for a second, and this was something Scout also always did, with his big cheeks flopping.

3) Something we always said about Scout was that he was "nice." My mom said "nice" to Beau earlier today in the same tone of voice, and Rem came running around the corner to her all excited.

4) Scout was very submissive and was lowest on the totem pole in the pack, and all my other dogs are toy breeds. Rem is the same way, and my Pomeranian bosses him the SAME exact way he bossed Scout.

5) My favorite - Scout used to sleep with his head on his pillow like a human. Sometimes, he'd knock his pillow off the bed in his sleep. Then he'd wait a second, lift his head, and groan - then I'd go and pick it up for him, and he'd go back to sleep. Two nights ago, Remi knocked the pillow on the floor. Then, he looked over the side of the bed at it, and groaned - I burst into tears. It was identical to Scout's normal behavior.

Maybe I'm just over-analyzing, or just seeing common dog behavior and attributing it to Scout in my grief. Or maybe, it's something else. I'm not at all religious. Until now I didn't believe in things like reincarnation. But this is really making me think that maybe somehow, Scout has come back to me. His poor body was getting old and giving out on him, so he left so he could come back in a new, young and healthy longer living form. He loved me more than anything and I don't think he'd ever leave me. I want so much to believe that he has found his way back home.

Has anyone here ever experienced anything like this? I'd so love to hear any stories if you have them. Do you think it's true? If you honestly don't, please don't tell me - believing is helping me cope.

Thanks for reading!

bianca · 12-08-2010, 05:59 AM

I am so very sorry for your great loss of Scout. He sounds like he was a true heart dog

I don't have any similar experience to share, I wish I could see some of my dear girl's characteristics in Molly, but unfortunately she is a one of a kind. I do believe that what you are seeing is possible. Some way or other, Scout sent you Remi to help ease your pain

vat · 12-08-2010, 06:49 AM

I am so sorry for your loss, it is very hard to loose our fur babies. I can not say that I have had the same experience as you but I do believe our pets send us the next one. I am willing to bet Scout picked Remi just for you. I also think they hang around or come for a visit. I know Rio was here shortly after he left us and I am positive he sent us Max and watches over all of us right now.

**JakodaCD OA** · 12-08-2010, 07:38 AM

I'm sorry for your loss to, and yes I have experienced this.. One of my heartdogs, Sami had passed away in Feb two years ago, she was born April 7. After having a housefull (4) of GSD's, and the two aussies, I was now down to the two aussies, and my male GSD Dodge(another heart dog). Dodge was kind of failing, and I knew I couldn't live without another GSD in the house.

Wanting to stay within the same type of lines as Dodge (ddr) & Sami (czech), I contacted Dodge's breeder who referred me to Wanda (kleinenhain). Anyhow, we decided Masi would be the girl for me, I then found out, Masi was born on Sami's birthday..okkkkk...

After I got her, I was seeing ALOT of similar behaviors that Sami exhibited (and she was a wild child to),,Dodge passed almost a year to the date of Sami's passing. Masi also has alot of Dodge's behaviors, sleeping on top of me at night, when I go to bed, she goes to bed, follows me around with her head up my butt,,and alot of other things.

Masi was my savior when I lost Dodge, she keeps me going, and I see both Dodge & Sami in her. Now whether it's because she is out of the same lines, same breed characteristics, I dont know, but prefer to think I got the best of both Dodge & Sami in her

EchoGSD · 12-08-2010, 12:50 PM

I had a great dane mix, "Jamie", who was our beloved family member from 6 weeks until we had to let her go at age 13: a GREAT age for a Great Dane. I was devastated; didn't want to consider another dog at that point (I already had a 2 year old GSD at home). I worked then for an emergency animal hospital, and exactly 9 weeks and one day from the date we lost Jamie a litter of orphaned pups came to the clinic. Note here that 9 weeks is the timing of a gestational cycle for a litter of puppies... I took the runt, who we called "Tori", home to hand raise. She settled with us as if she had always been there. As she grew older I began to notice various behaviors that seemed to me so clearly "Jamie": the way she would stretch out with her paws crossed, the way she gazed as me as if she could see through into my soul, the same appetite and favorite foods. When she one day performed an intricate trick we had taught to Jamie but not to any of the other pets I was sure that "Tori" was really "Jamie" brought back to us in a smaller body with a different coat. I still believe it to this day.

KatieStanley · 12-08-2010, 01:49 PM

I'm sorry to hear about your loss. Losing a dog is like losing a family member. I'm happy to hear that you have found a wonderful dog and I believe that everything happens for a reason. Remi came to you to help you heal

And who knows...maybe Scout's soul is in there. I'd believe it. To this day I SWEAR I saw my dog Buster's ghost in my doorway. He was a GSD/Boxer mix...I woke up in the middle of the night and saw him standing there and then he vanished. Weird stuff!

Good_Karma · 12-08-2010, 02:11 PM

I don't know anything about the afterlife, or if there is one. But if believing that somehow a part of Scout is still with you helps you deal with your loss, then by all means, go right ahead.

I know that for days after he died, I kept seeing the cat I had as a kid out of the corner of my eye. I felt at the time that he was waiting for me to be okay with him being gone.

ChristenHolden · 12-08-2010, 02:51 PM

That is so wonderful and sweet

its not a reincarnation story but I visitaion one. I lost my heart dog Trouble a week before Thanksgiving last year. He was so specal and wonderful with a sweet as honey soul. I was fixing Bellas food one night and set her bowl on top her kennel one of those big plastic ones. And I reached for the cabnet to get her supplements when I felt something hit my leg and then the whole Kennel shook like someone jumped in. I thought it was one of the dogs or maybe a cat that came in to warm up. But when I bent over and looked in it was empty. In my heart I knew it was him its hard to explain I JUS knew. I said Trouble is that you baby? And I jus started to cry I was so happy he came to see me.

Lesley1905 · 12-08-2010, 03:30 PM

I'm so sorry for your loss of Scout, he sounds like he was a big lover! I'm glad that Remi is making your heart "beat again"

tonkatuff81 · 12-08-2010, 08:26 PM

I'm not qualified to field the philosophical question that you ask.

I just want you to know that the loss of a dog like scout is a life altering event. You gave him your best, he had a great life, and you were both the better for it. In spite of that, his loss is overwhelming.

No doubt you'll do the same for Remi, and he'll do the same for you.

Posessions such as money, gold, cars, houses, etc. have great value to us. Our loved ones are invaluable. Part of the reason is that while we don't own them, they can be taken away quickly and forever.

And while we tend to outlive our pets, your last dog will feel the pain that you are now going through.

12-08-2010, 12:53 AM	#1 (permalink)
Larien Master Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: NE Ohio, USA Posts: 728	I think he's come back... I'd like to share my story with everyone, if you are up to hearing it. I think partly, I just need to get it out and tell someone, and I'd also like to hear similar experiences and stories. Anyway, I apologize if it ends up long! During the summer, my beloved Great Dane, Scout, was diagnosed with heart failure. My heart was broken - I was told he could pass out and die at any time. One night, he had a horrifying seizure and he collapsed in my arms on my bed, his bowels and bladder let go, he was out cold. I thought it was over, I was pleading with him - but he came to, and was okay. For a couple of months, he did great on his medication, he felt like a puppy again. I had hopes that even though he was 8 1/2 yrs. old (very old for a Dane), I'd have him a while longer. Then, we were blindsided. On the night of August 9th, I noticed him acting strangely. He was foaming at the mouth, and walking with his back arched - I knew right away it was bloat, my biggest fear all of his life. I rushed him to an ER vet, who confirmed via x-ray it was indeed bloat. Surgery was available, but with his age and condition, he would not have survived it. The devastating decision was made to put him down. I held him as it happened - I'd never before stayed with animal when they actually passed - and tried my best to stay calm and talk to him so as not to worry him. I kept telling him it was okay, that I loved him and we'd be together again one day. And I literally felt the life go out of him and my heart shatter at the same time. It was the hardest and most beautiful moment of my life. But I was completely and utterly heartbroken. I took it extremely bad, I had (and to some degree, still do) severe depression, I didn't leave my bed. Nights were the worst - this dog had slept with me every single night next to me in my bed with his head on the pillow like a person since the day I brought him home, and now he wasn't there, and I couldn't take it. After a week, a friend at dinner suggested I get a puppy. I was angry, and didn't want any part of it. But over the next week or so, I started thinking about it - and for some reason, something was telling me GSD very strongly. At first I casually searched but gradually became more serious in my efforts. I did a lot of research online and read up on the breed and what to look for - OFA, German imports, etc. - and emailed several breeders and saw a lot of pics, but no one spoke to me or it didn't work out, or the pup was sold already, and so on. Then one breeder emailed me back with a photo of Remi at 6 weeks - the minute I saw it, I cried. I called her and sent a deposit, I had to have this puppy. It turned out he had been born on August 21st - 12 days after Scout passed. I brought him home in mid-Oct. and he's been heaven sent in terms of helping me heal and making me happy, and keeping me busy. But lately, I've begun to notice striking similarities between him and Scout. I'll detail them below: 1) Rem was lying on the couch, on his side, my mom said hi to him, and he swung his front leg outward at her in a silly, exaggerated motion and put his paw in her hand (he hasn't been taught to shake) and we both gasped - this was something Scout did frequently when we greeted him. 2) He was rolling a ball around the floor and at one point, when it stopped, he hovered over it, staring down at it for a few seconds before pouncing. I even saw his little cheeks hang for a second, and this was something Scout also always did, with his big cheeks flopping. 3) Something we always said about Scout was that he was "nice." My mom said "nice" to Beau earlier today in the same tone of voice, and Rem came running around the corner to her all excited. 4) Scout was very submissive and was lowest on the totem pole in the pack, and all my other dogs are toy breeds. Rem is the same way, and my Pomeranian bosses him the SAME exact way he bossed Scout. 5) My favorite - Scout used to sleep with his head on his pillow like a human. Sometimes, he'd knock his pillow off the bed in his sleep. Then he'd wait a second, lift his head, and groan - then I'd go and pick it up for him, and he'd go back to sleep. Two nights ago, Remi knocked the pillow on the floor. Then, he looked over the side of the bed at it, and groaned - I burst into tears. It was identical to Scout's normal behavior. Maybe I'm just over-analyzing, or just seeing common dog behavior and attributing it to Scout in my grief. Or maybe, it's something else. I'm not at all religious. Until now I didn't believe in things like reincarnation. But this is really making me think that maybe somehow, Scout has come back to me. His poor body was getting old and giving out on him, so he left so he could come back in a new, young and healthy longer living form. He loved me more than anything and I don't think he'd ever leave me. I want so much to believe that he has found his way back home. Has anyone here ever experienced anything like this? I'd so love to hear any stories if you have them. Do you think it's true? If you honestly don't, please don't tell me - believing is helping me cope. Thanks for reading! __________________ Remington von Berchtold ~ 8/21/10

12-08-2010, 05:59 AM	#2 (permalink)
bianca Knighted Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Australia Posts: 3,328	I am so very sorry for your great loss of Scout. He sounds like he was a true heart dog I don't have any similar experience to share, I wish I could see some of my dear girl's characteristics in Molly, but unfortunately she is a one of a kind. I do believe that what you are seeing is possible. Some way or other, Scout sent you Remi to help ease your pain __________________ Miss Molly Moo (aka The Piranha/The four legged Mouth) GSD 31/10 Raennik Hassan (Cooper) GSD 19/10/11 Paris Tabby Cat 15 years Texas Tabby Cat 15 years

12-08-2010, 06:49 AM	#3 (permalink)
vat Knighted Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Kingston, IL Posts: 3,027	I am so sorry for your loss, it is very hard to loose our fur babies. I can not say that I have had the same experience as you but I do believe our pets send us the next one. I am willing to bet Scout picked Remi just for you. I also think they hang around or come for a visit. I know Rio was here shortly after he left us and I am positive he sent us Max and watches over all of us right now. __________________ Valerie Shewana's Maximum Velocity (aka Max) Shewana's Hot-Spice (aka Callan) Kaycee 11/97-5/10 Rio 10/08-2/10 Handle every stressful situation like a dog. If you can't eat it or play with it, pee on it and walk away.

12-08-2010, 07:38 AM	#4 (permalink)
JakodaCD OA Moderator Join Date: May 2000 Location: Old Lyme, CT USA Posts: 14,237	I'm sorry for your loss to, and yes I have experienced this.. One of my heartdogs, Sami had passed away in Feb two years ago, she was born April 7. After having a housefull (4) of GSD's, and the two aussies, I was now down to the two aussies, and my male GSD Dodge(another heart dog). Dodge was kind of failing, and I knew I couldn't live without another GSD in the house. Wanting to stay within the same type of lines as Dodge (ddr) & Sami (czech), I contacted Dodge's breeder who referred me to Wanda (kleinenhain). Anyhow, we decided Masi would be the girl for me, I then found out, Masi was born on Sami's birthday..okkkkk... After I got her, I was seeing ALOT of similar behaviors that Sami exhibited (and she was a wild child to),,Dodge passed almost a year to the date of Sami's passing. Masi also has alot of Dodge's behaviors, sleeping on top of me at night, when I go to bed, she goes to bed, follows me around with her head up my butt,,and alot of other things. Masi was my savior when I lost Dodge, she keeps me going, and I see both Dodge & Sami in her. Now whether it's because she is out of the same lines, same breed characteristics, I dont know, but prefer to think I got the best of both Dodge & Sami in her __________________ Diane Danger Danger vom Kleinen Hain aka Masi "Angel" Jakoda's Bewitchen Sami CD OA OAJ OAC NGC OJC RS-O GS-N JS-O TT HIC CGC "Angel" Steinwald's Four x Four CGC HIC TT Harmonyhill's Hy Jynx NA NAJ NAC NJC RS-N JS-N HIC Jakoda's Jagged Edge

12-08-2010, 12:50 PM	#5 (permalink)
EchoGSD Master Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Warren, MI Posts: 549	I had a great dane mix, "Jamie", who was our beloved family member from 6 weeks until we had to let her go at age 13: a GREAT age for a Great Dane. I was devastated; didn't want to consider another dog at that point (I already had a 2 year old GSD at home). I worked then for an emergency animal hospital, and exactly 9 weeks and one day from the date we lost Jamie a litter of orphaned pups came to the clinic. Note here that 9 weeks is the timing of a gestational cycle for a litter of puppies... I took the runt, who we called "Tori", home to hand raise. She settled with us as if she had always been there. As she grew older I began to notice various behaviors that seemed to me so clearly "Jamie": the way she would stretch out with her paws crossed, the way she gazed as me as if she could see through into my soul, the same appetite and favorite foods. When she one day performed an intricate trick we had taught to Jamie but not to any of the other pets I was sure that "Tori" was really "Jamie" brought back to us in a smaller body with a different coat. I still believe it to this day. __________________ -LeeAnn There are two kinds of dogs: Dogs who are German Shepherds, and dogs who WISH they were German Shepherds.... Echo of Someday Vom Royale, CD, RA, CGC, TDI Laughin' Tori Lori, CD, RN, CGC Marcella's Miss Ruby Dee, RN, CGC, TDI

12-08-2010, 01:49 PM	#6 (permalink)
KatieStanley Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 174	I'm sorry to hear about your loss. Losing a dog is like losing a family member. I'm happy to hear that you have found a wonderful dog and I believe that everything happens for a reason. Remi came to you to help you heal And who knows...maybe Scout's soul is in there. I'd believe it. To this day I SWEAR I saw my dog Buster's ghost in my doorway. He was a GSD/Boxer mix...I woke up in the middle of the night and saw him standing there and then he vanished. Weird stuff! __________________ Zoe- 1/5/2010 Our first GSD Peanut & Gracie- Our bratty Miniature Dachshunds

12-08-2010, 02:11 PM	#7 (permalink)
Good_Karma Crowned Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Upstate, NY Posts: 4,103	I don't know anything about the afterlife, or if there is one. But if believing that somehow a part of Scout is still with you helps you deal with your loss, then by all means, go right ahead. I know that for days after he died, I kept seeing the cat I had as a kid out of the corner of my eye. I felt at the time that he was waiting for me to be okay with him being gone. __________________ Leah: Newbie dog owner Niko: American Showline GSD 2 1/2 years old Rosa: American Muppet Dog (GSD/Border Collie mix) 3 years old

12-08-2010, 02:51 PM	#8 (permalink)
ChristenHolden Elite Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: South Eastern, Oklahoma, USA Posts: 1,316	That is so wonderful and sweet its not a reincarnation story but I visitaion one. I lost my heart dog Trouble a week before Thanksgiving last year. He was so specal and wonderful with a sweet as honey soul. I was fixing Bellas food one night and set her bowl on top her kennel one of those big plastic ones. And I reached for the cabnet to get her supplements when I felt something hit my leg and then the whole Kennel shook like someone jumped in. I thought it was one of the dogs or maybe a cat that came in to warm up. But when I bent over and looked in it was empty. In my heart I knew it was him its hard to explain I JUS knew. I said Trouble is that you baby? And I jus started to cry I was so happy he came to see me. __________________ ~Christen BELLA~GSD BATISTA~SHAR PEI BANDIT~CHI/YORKIE GABE~RAT TERRIE/CORGIE ANGLE~RAT TERRIER/CORGIE PEPPER~RAT TERRIER HONEY~CHIHUHUHA RUSTY~PAPILLION OLIVER~MUTT CHEWIE~POM MIX Levi~PAP/CHI Champ~PAP/CHI 11 CATS 1 TURTLE~

12-08-2010, 03:30 PM	#9 (permalink)
Lesley1905 Master Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Jupiter, FL Posts: 906	I'm so sorry for your loss of Scout, he sounds like he was a big lover! I'm glad that Remi is making your heart "beat again" __________________ Brody: GSD May 2010 Von der Sauk Zella : Pitbull, July 2006 Fritzy: GSD February 2008 Pita: Cavalier July 2011

12-08-2010, 08:26 PM	#10 (permalink)
tonkatuff81 Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Long Island Posts: 86	I'm not qualified to field the philosophical question that you ask. I just want you to know that the loss of a dog like scout is a life altering event. You gave him your best, he had a great life, and you were both the better for it. In spite of that, his loss is overwhelming. No doubt you'll do the same for Remi, and he'll do the same for you. Posessions such as money, gold, cars, houses, etc. have great value to us. Our loved ones are invaluable. Part of the reason is that while we don't own them, they can be taken away quickly and forever. And while we tend to outlive our pets, your last dog will feel the pain that you are now going through.

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