Spooky season is in full swing, meaning there may be some heightened paranormal activity afoot. In fact, a survey conducted by YouGov revealed that two in five Americans believe ghosts are real, while one in five people say they’ve actually encountered one.
The existence of ghosts may be up for debate, but one of the most persistent beliefs is that our animals can sense spirits or paranormal activity. We’ve all witnessed the scene in scary movies or TV shows, when the tiny dog barks at the door but no one is there. Sure, the movie may be fake, but many pet owners have noticed their dog or cat do the same in real life.
Of course, there’s only one thought that enters a pet owner’s mind when this occurs – that their animal is obviously interacting with a ghost. To set the record straight, we spoke with two animal communicators – aka, pet psychics – to learn whether our animals are really channeling the other side.
Why do we believe our pets can see ghosts in the first place? According to Phoebe Hoffman, an animal communicator and intuitive guide based in New York City, it has a lot to do with their heightened senses.
“Pets are living off of energy, whether it’s our energy or energy that we are not privy to, because we’re so limited in our senses compared to them,” Hoffman tells us. “Now, can I say that what they’re seeing is ghosts? I don’t know that because I’ve never seen a ghost. I’m not seeing what they’re seeing, but I’ve had many experiences with my own animals – which happen to be cats – where they are having an absolute moment with something that’s there that only they can witness.”
It goes without saying that animals have senses that are unknown to humans. When it comes to our beloved canines, dogs have the ability to hear much higher-pitched noises than their owners. The average adult human can’t hear sounds above 20,000 Hertz (Hz), while dogs can hear sounds as high as 47,000 to 65,000 Hz, per the American Kennel Club.
Meanwhile, cats are known to have great eyesight, especially in the dark. According to Texas A&M University, felines can dilate their pupils in low-light settings and they have a special reflective layer called the tapetum lucidum, which can reflect more light to the back of the eye.
“Non-human animals sense things in different ways than humans do. Cats, for instance, the way they see things is different from the way humans see things. Their eyesight is different, they can definitely perceive energies that we can’t or things that aren’t visible to the human eye,” Olivia LaBarre, an animal communicator and Reiki specialist based in NYC, tells us. “Most of the animals I communicate with have increased senses beyond the five senses.”
But what about those undeniable moments when our dog or cat appears to be reacting – or interacting – with something we can’t see? When they begin to bark or meow at nothing visible, stand in the corner, play with an object that belonged to a deceased family member, or assume behaviours that are characteristic of a former pet? For LaBarre – who’s been an animal communicator and grief worker for five years – her clients have noticed that, after one of their pets dies, their living animal will even start taking on some of the behaviours of the animal who passed.
When these moments occur, it’s important to look out for certain signs or signals that your dog or cat’s behaviour has suddenly shifted. This can look like playing with something that isn’t there, tilting their head, arching their back, or wagging their tail.
As for what pet owners should do when they believe their beloved animal is interacting with a ghost, experts agree to just sit back and let it happen. “Allow it, observe it, and just pay attention because it might be about you. Humans are very unaware of the mysteries of the universe. Animals, they’re tapped in. They are aware that energy doesn’t die,” says Hoffman. “Just let it happen. It’s not a bad thing.”
However, there could be the slight off chance that a poltergeist from the next Paranormal Activity instalment just so happens to be living in your kitchen. Then, of course, it’s time to call in the experts… or an exorcist.
Our pets’ heightened senses – and sometimes their silly, quirky, and erratic behaviour – has played into the belief that dogs and cats can see ghosts. Still, there’s much uncertainty about whether this long-standing superstition is actually true.
“We are so limited in our ability to see what the naked eye cannot see. Animals have this window into watching spirits and energy,” says Hoffman. “But as far as a ghost? That I don’t know, but I know they’re seeing something.”
Although it continues to be a mystery whether our pets’ senses are able to pick up on energies or spirits, pay close attention to your dog or cat this spooky season. Who knows what life forms will be lurking this Halloween?
A Heart-Wrenching Ordeal: A Dog’s Suffering, Chained, Malnourished, and Thirsty on a Balcony
Owning a pet is a significant commitment that entails a substantial responsibility for their safety and well-being. These living beings are entirely reliant on their owners for care and protection.
Recently, concerned citizens stumbled upon a heart-wrenching scene, where a dog dangled precariously from a balcony, teetering on the brink of tragedy. Fortunately, a swift rescue mission prevented any harm from befalling the desperate canine.
What they encountered on that balcony, however, shocked them more profoundly than the impending disaster itself. The dog, a German Shepherd, was discovered alone on the balcony of an apartment in Egypt. What added to the distressing scenario was the revelation that the dog had endured days of being tethered to the balcony without access to food or water. It appeared famished, and its leap from the balcony seemed to be a final, desperate bid to escape the deplorable conditions.
Regrettably, a chain bound the dog’s neck, rendering it incapable of freeing itself. The poor animal was left hanging over the balcony, choking and helpless. Even if not for the chain, the height of the balcony, three stories above the ground, would have posed a grave risk to the dog.
Miraculously, a man heard the anguished cries of the German Shepherd and rushed to its aid. Another neighbor had already attempted a rescue but had been unsuccessful. With the newcomer’s assistance, they managed to retrieve the dog back onto the balcony.
It was evident that the chain had inflicted severe lacerations on the dog’s neck, although, fortunately, they were not life-threatening. The living conditions on the balcony were nothing short of deplorable, with the dog confined amidst its filth, deprived of both sustenance and hydration.
The dog, with lacerations on its neck from the constricting chain, was subsequently transported to the Egyptian Society for Mercy to Animals shelter. Here, it received the necessary medical attention for its injuries and underwent treatment for any illnesses or ailments it may have acquired during its harrowing confinement. Skilled veterinarians successfully mended the lacerations and administered the care needed for a full recovery.
After a few weeks of treatment, the German Shepherd, now named Bella, was transferred to the Special Needs Animal Rescue & Rehabilitation shelter. From there, she embarked on a journey to the United States, where a loving family had eagerly adopted her. Showered with the love and compassion she deserved, Bella could finally heal from the trauma of her past life in the grim balcony confinement.
Bella made a remarkable recovery and found contentment with her new family. She became a cherished companion to her new guardians and an integral part of their household, leaving behind the horrors of her previous existence on that unforgiving balcony.
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