Fellow animal lover and communication student Inez Sonnenberg shared her remarkable experience communicating with her kitties after her dogs passed. She said:
Our two Springer Spaniels Franklin and Annie passed away last winter. Within six months I was longing for another dog. I have always had at least one dog and couldn’t seem to fill that empty spot in my heart.
My husband however did not want another dog. We have 3 cats which should have been enough. One day we had a big fight about it and I went upstairs and sat on the edge of the bed. Lilly, one of our cats, jumped up and curled up next to me.
Though my dogs and I have always communicated I had never “heard” my cats, though I always have known their needs. Plain as day Lilly said, “Can’t we be enough? We love you. You don’t need a dog. We can love you like a dog does.” I thanked her and told her that I loved all three of them very much.
That night and several nights after, all three cats curled up next to me on the bed. Any time I was sitting on the couch or rocking chair one would come and sit on my lap. They seemed to be taking turns.
Lilly would follow me around the house the way Franklin used to. Carl and I went out to eat and I mentioned that I missed how the dogs would come meet us at the front door, so thrilled to see us. When we came home Lilly and Ricky came running down the stairs to meet us! They did this every time we came home.
Abby would lead me to their toy every evening and say, “Come on Mom let’s play!” They were trying so hard to love me like a dog that I felt bad that I still wanted one. This went on for weeks.
Then Carl and I were sitting in the living room talking. He had done research finding a dog that would get along with cats, not get over 35 lbs, be easy to train, affectionate and easy to walk. He had found someone in Iowa that bred a Golden Retriever with a Cocker Spaniel. They will have puppies in the spring. He said he was willing to get one of those puppies.
Lilly was sitting there listening. Then she said to me. ” So you are getting a puppy. Now Daddy wants one too?” I told her yes but it wouldn’t be until spring and that was a long way off. I told her we would always love them very much and they might even enjoy this new puppy just like they enjoyed Franklin and Annie. They might even play with her and help her feel welcome.
After that, they went back to sleeping most of the day, showing us their normal affection and seemed to be relieved that they no longer had to pretend to be our dogs. I think it was wearing them out! Lilly Abby and Ricky are the sweetest cats ever!!!