Saturday, November 1, 2014

A Sixth Sense?

October said its goodbyes for another year as we welcomed a cold, cloudy blustery first day of November. Even though I was up and out before the sun came up, I didn't get as much done today as I had hoped, but it was enough.  I was a little tired from being kept awake by Cricket the night before. She is a creature of habit and usually after dinner, she goes outside one more time and puts herself to bed, sleeping through the night.  Last night she was uncharacteristically awake, barking.  From her bed, Cricket would bark once, and then silence for awhile, then she would bark again. A few times I got up to see if she wanted to go out.  She didn't.  She was fast asleep.  This morning I received a text-message from her previous owner's niece telling me the sad news that her father had passed away the day before.  Did Cricket know?
Whether you think that it's folklore or fact, many of us believe that our dogs are somehow guided by a canine sixth sense. Another case in point was just last week.  On Friday night, Sheba refused to come inside the house, and wanted to stay in my van that's parked in the garage.  I left her there with the intention of going back for her later.  I'm not sure how, but I forgot all about her, and when I opened the door in the morning, there she was!  After letting her outside and getting her a drink, she got into my van, and again refused to get out.  So, on a whim, I decided to take her with me on my early morning errands.  It was about six-thirty, and the first stop was the laundromat.
At that early hour, no one was around, except a lady who looked to be in her 70's sitting in one of the chairs, waiting for her laundry to dry.  She greeted us warmly and Sheba went right to her. She sat there and hugged Sheba as I loaded one of the big washers with all the dog beds.  I sat down at the end of the row of chairs, and when I looked at her, and I could see that she was crying a little.  I asked her if she was okay, and she explained to me that she lived by herself, and that her dog, her only company had passed away a couple of weeks before.  She told me how much she missed her dog, and having one to hug.  Needless to say, my heart went out to her.  We had a nice chat as Sheba sat next to her side the whole time. After she left, I couldn't help but wonder, was it "personal inspiration" or did Sheba somehow know that she should go with me?  Or was it just a simple coincidence that at six-thirty on a Saturday morning, I would meet someone who needed Sheba?  I'll never know for sure.
It is a proven fact that dogs have extraordinary senses such as hearing and smelling, but do they also have some other superior sixth sense? There is no real scientific evidence, but those of us who share our lives with dogs (and other animals) will agree that they certainly do continue to surprise us on a regular basis, don't they?

36 comments:

  1. Todd, don't let her into our secret, the 7th sense.

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  2. Gee that would have been a good post for yesterday... :-)
    I don't know if dogs have a 6th sense or not. If only they could speak people talk to us.

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  3. They know, and we had a cat who had that sense of knowing too. And taking Sheba with you, the lady will never forget that morning, and Sheba's companionship for that wee while. It all adds up to the fact that our animals know lots more than we ever realise. jean.

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  4. What wonderful stories. They make you think. Choosing to sleep in a van sounds strange....so maybe, she knew.

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  5. so glad she was able to go with you and make someone's day.

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  6. I think they know more than we realise. The other day we visited a grand old house, a National Trust property. I went off for a search around and to the shop, when I walked back to meet up with husband and William, husband told me that even though William couldn't see me, he knew I was on my way back to them!

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  7. We dogs are so special in so many ways!
    Loves and licky kisses
    Princess Leah xxx

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  8. Wow, interesting stories..first Crickets and then Sheba.. I am sure Sheba helped to comfort the woman.I think all dogs are special..Cute photos. Have a happy Sunday!

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  9. I'm a 6th sense believer . . . without a doubt.

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  10. I love these thoughts of yours today. Animals don't have the filters we have and often we aren't paying attention to them when they are sensing something. My dogs are always barking at trucks and people coming and going near our place. When my neighbor passed a few years ago, I noticed the dogs out back just quietly staring at their property behind us. Then I saw the white van that had come to take her and realized what had happened. The dogs knew, they didn't say a word. We just have to be quiet sometimes and pay attention.

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  11. I think animals know things. I've seen it time and time again, and not just with the dogs. The horses are also very in tune with things.

    Have a wonderful Sunday.

    Monty and Harlow

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  12. Our dogs KNOW, we just have to be perceptive enough to understand WHAT they know and to follow along. Your Sheba story also goes to prove what amazing things that are done every day by Therapy Dogs ... just a dog, being him/herself, making a connection with the heart of a human that they may have never seen before and probably will never see again.

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  13. Your stories gave me a chill...a good chill. I do believe that, Kim. I have felt it so many times.....

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  14. oh, sweet cricket. and i'm so glad sheba provided a moment of comfort to a woman who needed it.

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  15. i have never doubted for one moment that they have this sense.
    they operate from love. even when they've been abused or abandoned.
    if given half a chance ... and care ... they always come back to love.
    so it's not that hard for me to believe they have a sense of when they're needed or if one they've loved comes to them... even in loss.
    how blessed we are in this life to have dogs.
    they're so much more than dogs.

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  16. This post has me in tears.
    There are many things that I doubt but whether animals have a sixth sense is not one of them.
    I truly believe they see more than we can ever comprehend.
    I wish that everyone could realize this and cherish them for the special beings that they are.
    xoxo

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  17. When my mother died in the hospital, my parents' next door neighbor reported that our three dogs began howling and barking and howling some more at the exact time she was passing. I've always believed that dogs know.

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  18. What a special post that gives one something to think about.

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  19. Afternoon Kim, yes, I truely believe animals have that sixth sence. Lovely post, makes one think about that.Blessings Francine.

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  20. One January afternoon I was watching TV and stitching when my Cockatiel, Buddy, started screaming. I talked to him, but he wouldn't calm down. I tried covering him which usually made him go to sleep, but he continued to scream for about twenty minutes. About ten minutes after he stopped, the phone rang. It was my brother telling me that our mother had died of a heart attack right about the time Buddy started screaming.

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  21. What a couple of amazing stories. Our pets sure are special in many ways.

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  22. Hello! What a lovely golden gang you've got!
    I don't think Chewy has shown any signs of a sixth sense yet, but then again maybe I missed it.

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  23. They know. I have a story to tell about my own mother and the bond she had with her dog, Gypsy. Mom somehow knew she was living "her last days" and passed away on April 6, 2003. A couple of months before that her health got so bad she had to go into a nursing home. She left her beloved dog, Gypsy, with us to care for. After Mom was in the nursing home, she told me not to worry about taking care of Gypsy for too long because when she got to Heaven, she would call Gypsy to be with her again. Mom died the evening of April 6, 2003. Gypsy ate her last meal on that very same day. The next day she refused to eat. A few days later we took her to the vet who ran every test in the book and could find no reason for Gypsy to stop eating. The morning of April 26, 2003, Gypsy quietly and peacefully passed away after looking up at the sky and barking. She barked about 5 times and then laid down and died. I still get goosebumps when I think about it. Mom kept her promise and called Gypsy to be with her again in Heaven....

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  24. Yes Kim, I say the answer is YES- they know.
    love
    tweedles

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  25. I absolutely believe in the sixth sense Kim. They just know.
    Your stories...and reading Amber's story above...give me goose bumps.
    I really believe they still communicate with us. Even from above.
    xo Jeanne, Chloe and LadyBug

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  26. I'm not a believer in most of these homsespun tales. However, when it comes to dogs sixth sense the proof is pretty conclusive. Guess they can hear the music of the spheres and we've lost that knack.

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  27. Wesa believe we are more intune to what is going on around the universe then our parents cos they are crazy busy.
    stella rose

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  28. I just think that dogs (animals in general) senses aren't all cluttered up like peoples. They 'listen' to that feeling and direction. I think that we all have the ability to listen and respond to what we need to do, but often just shake it off. But I absolutely believe your girls were 'hearing' and understanding what was going to happen.

    My first dog a cock-peeka-poo (waay before designer dogs!) always knew when I was coming home and would wait in the window.

    Tp

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  29. There is a different frequency or dimension that dogs are able to feel, because they are completely uncluttered, unlike we humans. I never doubt their power or ability to travel the places we can't.

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  30. I do know that dogs have extraordinary abilities to observe and sense things, especially about those who they love. I'm so glad that Sheba was able to help the sad woman - and that you listened to her and took her with you!

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  31. I certainly believe they do, cats too. Ryker was such a big factor in my recovery. We are truly blessed by our animal friends!

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  32. Yes they know and have a 6th sense.
    I too have seen i when my own dogs.

    Linda and Cinnamon

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  33. After seeing documentaries on the subject - I'm a believer!

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Speak--I really enjoy your comments! Thanks for stopping by today!!