The Bark

[Debi]

We recently lost our 13 year old boxer Skylar to cancer. She was an emotional support dog for my son for all those years, and was bonded to him and my husband. She had a very distinctive, loud bark, and knew how to "talk" with it. One bark, attention please. Two barks, let me out that door now. Three barks, answer the door.

The day she passed, my son was obviously distraught. He knew it was her time, and in fact, she was the oldest boxer our vet had ever treated. He needed space to process her passing so we simply let him do so that evening.

The next day, my husband told me he had heard her do one bark as he was drinking his coffee. We said nothing to our son as to not upset him more. At supper that evening, our son said, "I want you guys to know, last night, I heard Skylar do one bark." I looked at my husband, who then told our son of his experience that morning. Both said it was audible to them, and they felt it was her simply telling them "Attention! I'm OK over here!"

I did not hear this, but both guys are adamant Skylar stopped by to assure them all was well. My son was able to let go and find peace, and I'm sure she knew this would help him do so.

Just wanted to share with you all that have recently lost furbabies.

 

[ozentity]

Sorry about your dog Debi,13 is ancient for a boxer so she did well.I don't know why it is but when a furry family member passes it seems sadder than even a person passing, even if both are old. R.I.P Skylar.

 

[DogLet]

Wow that is quite the story, brought tears to my eyes, a little, I have an old dog on his last leg right now. I might put his picture on the road on my avatar.

 

[Lynne]

My prior Pomeranian went into heart failure and needed a quick trip to the vet. My hubby was not with me. My daughter and I handled the crossing over process while he was at home. He called me while I was still at the vet wondering where I was. He said he thought I had arrived home because he heard the dog barking. I asked him what time he heard the barks. It was only minutes earlier and right after Dolly had passed. I believe she was saying good bye to the only family member not with her. Burying her was one of the few times I’ve ever seen my husband cry.

 

[garnetsilver]

Oh, that is always so sad! I know the pain very well, as I am still missing my Avalon. But isn't it awesome that they are so closely bonded that they can still communicate with us after they have moved on? Awesome and wonderful. And it is incredibly healing when they do so, just when we are so raw with grieving.

 

[Debi]

13 is ancient for a boxer

I'm totally convinced (and so is the vet) that she lived that long because she had a purpose....she truly did help my son in so many ways.

 

[ozentity]

I'm totally convinced (and so is the vet) that she lived that long because she had a purpose....she truly did help my son in so many ways.

Now you've got me crying,like the movie"A Dogs Purpose",I probably saw about 5mins with dry eyes.

 

[WitchAndShaman]

Thanks for the link Debi from my related post to yours. I read through the other comments and likes on this post to find that I had not commented myself on it earlier. It’s reassuring not only to hear that your family experienced something similar but too that it was really recent. You’re right of course, Skylar and Sammy are probably together...no doubt Skylar “taught my old dog that new beyond-the-veil communication trick.”

 

[Debi]

Thanks for the link Debi from my related post to yours. I read through the other comments and likes on this post to find that I had not commented myself on it earlier. It’s reassuring not only to hear that your family experienced something similar but too that it was really recent. You’re right of course, Skylar and Sammy are probably together...no doubt Skylar “taught my old dog that new beyond-the-veil communication trick.”