Was she saying hello or goodbye?

Cat Man

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Hi,

I am new to this site. I am someone who believes that just because something can't be explained it doesn't mean there is no explanation. I am open to paranormal explanations for such things, but I also ask a lot of questions because I also feel that one has to exhaust all possible explanations of a physical nature before turning to those that are metaphysical. I was just educated to think that way, and that's how I am. I'm probably too old to change.

In late June of 2020, I put my 15 year old cat, Gertie, to sleep. She had multiple health issues. Some were treatable but others were not. It was a situation where I chose not to expose her to stressful visits to the vet to monitor her various conditions, multiple administrations of meds per day, and ultimately, putting her to sleep anyway because she had a tumor growing in her chest that we could do nothing about. Regardless of knowing I did what I did for her benefit, any pet owner who makes this difficult choice will tell you there is still guilt and doubt that comes with it. There just isn't any way to avoid feeling that way when you make a life and death decision for a pet that you hold dear. I still struggle with grief compounded by this double wammie of guilt and doubt. Obviously, the story I'm about to tell is more than just odd, it's emotional as well.

In late August, about 2 months after Gertie's passing, I woke up one Saturday morning. I'm an early riser whether or not it's a work day, so it was still a little dark. I went into the garage to flip on the sprinkler system. As I walked back into the house through the door from the garage I thought about what I had to do next. I had to feed Dewey and Phoebe, our remaining two cats. As I thought that, I remember saying to myself: "I just wish my little angel were still here". That's what I called Gertie, my "little angel". I approached the room where we feed our cats, and in the doorway I saw the silhouette of a cat sitting there. It was vivid enough that I began to say "good morning", thinking it was Dewey wanting to be fed. Just as those words were forming in my mouth, I saw Dewey in the room on the bed they sleep on. Then I thought, "it must have been Phoebe", so I quickened my pace to see if she was in the room now, as the image had vanished from the doorway. Sure enough, Phoebe was even further in the room, asleep. I thought, "well, who was that?" As I asked myself that, a chill went down my spine. At that point my rational self took over, and I reminded myself that I was just waking up and it was still a little dark. My eyes and mind must have conspired to play a trick on me. I have never stopped thinking about it though. The image was too vivid to be an optical illusion. It was so vivid that I began to speak to it. I have never seen it since. I want to think Gertie was saying "hi, I'm still around". I'm also wondering, however, if she was saying "goodbye". I understand that materializing is very difficult for an entity to do from the other side. It takes a great deal of energy. In that sense, I feel very honored and loved in the sense that Gertie cared about me enough to do that if that's what was really happening. I am interested in hearing what the good people on this site think of this event. Remember, when we grieve we sometimes reach for anything that will bring back anything of the individual we grieve for, human or otherwise. I want to think it was Gertie, but I also know I may be reaching.

Please be kind, as I am still grieving for my "little angel". Thanks!
 
Hi Cat man, and welcome to the PNF. I'm sorry to hear of your cat's passing. Over the years, I've had somewhat similar experiences to yours with my Shetland Sheepdog. The first experience was the most profound, I clearly saw her barking at me through a sliding glass patio door while I was mowing, just as she did when alive. The other couple times I thought I saw her was more of an out-of-the-corner-of-my-eye thing.

I never considered whether she was saying hello or goodbye when I saw her. I considered it simply as evidence she was still here with us, if only in spirit, and for that I was extremely grateful.
 
Thanks Duke! I appreciate the reply.
 
Thanks Duke! I appreciate the reply.
Hi Cat Man. Welcome to the PNF. I hope you'll take a moment to scan the prior postings here as many have related their experiences with animal visitations. It's very common, and I believe it to be the way our furbabies keep an eye on us once they pass. We often form some very strong bonds with our fur kids, and they are all pure little beings of love that often continue to visit or simply let us know they are OK.
 
Thanks Debi! I agree that their love is unconditional and pure. It's comforting to think she's still around.
 
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I just watched a show on cable named Paranormal caught on camera. The llatest episode has a cat sitting on a couch which hadnt been seen by itw owner who walked by. The camera picked up the image of the cat just laying on the couch. It is a great catch as the feline had passed the year before. It is the best video evidence I have ever seen for an animal after life pic. I often wonder why some pets decide to cross over and others hang around for awhile? Thank you for your story. When I lost my cat Max 7 years ago I wanted him to show me he was still around. While that never happened I did dream of him often and still do on occasion. It is great to know i will see him again someday as I loved that little guy an awful lot too.
 
I had to put down my beautiful Torby cat, Avalon, last December due to kidney failure. She was around fourteen years old. She not only came back to comfort me, she still makes her presence known, here and there. I don't actually see her full on, but corner of my eye movements, and can feel her walking on the bed to lay next me as she did in life. Our pets can make strong bonds with us, and death doesn't break them. I am sorry you had to go through that decision to put your cat to sleep; I still struggle with a mixture of guilt and regret, but she would only have suffered if I didn't make the decision.

And Catman, welcome to PNF!
 
I had to put down my max and all the others too. They all lived to be about 15-17 except melbourne who lived to be about 12, He was going downhill fast and it killed me to see him suffer. I felt a lot of guilt for many years after putting down my little friends who loved me as much as I loved them. However now that I am older and have seen a lot more of life and its hardships I think its the most humane thing to do for the animal . Maybe I am wrong but I know my cats were little hunters and brave little souls . I hope that I pass as quickly and peacefully and as loved as my little four legged friends.
 
I just watched a show on cable named Paranormal caught on camera. The llatest episode has a cat sitting on a couch which hadnt been seen by itw owner who walked by. The camera picked up the image of the cat just laying on the couch. It is a great catch as the feline had passed the year before. It is the best video evidence I have ever seen for an animal after life pic. I often wonder why some pets decide to cross over and others hang around for awhile? Thank you for your story. When I lost my cat Max 7 years ago I wanted him to show me he was still around. While that never happened I did dream of him often and still do on occasion. It is great to know i will see him again someday as I loved that little guy an awful lot too.
Thanks Walking Goose! My understanding from talking to other people is that dreaming of lost loved ones is a form of communication from them.
 
I had to put down my beautiful Torby cat, Avalon, last December due to kidney failure. She was around fourteen years old. She not only came back to comfort me, she still makes her presence known, here and there. I don't actually see her full on, but corner of my eye movements, and can feel her walking on the bed to lay next me as she did in life. Our pets can make strong bonds with us, and death doesn't break them. I am sorry you had to go through that decision to put your cat to sleep; I still struggle with a mixture of guilt and regret, but she would only have suffered if I didn't make the decision.

And Catman, welcome to PNF!
Thanks for the reply! It means a lot to know others have had similar experiences, even if they were not exactly the same.