Dog Attendants

Lisa from Arlington, TX, asked:

Hi Julie,

I read your book and have gifted others with copies. I also listen to your podcasts at work and enjoy them very much!

I had a thought the other day – does the same process you describe in your book happen for animals?

For example, will a dog’s maternal and paternal sides come together and all of its brothers and sisters too at their time of death? My guess is yes and all humans associated with that dog will also be present.

Are there special angels for animals that come set up the portal you describe? Does this happen for all animals?

I’m very interested to know this. After all, I’m one of those crazy dog fanatics.

Love from Texas!

Lisa

Hi Lisa,

Thanks for your question and kind comments about my book Angelic Attendants: What Really Happens As We Transition From This Life Into The Next and podcast.

Your question is one I have been asked multiple times over the years and it makes me think of the 1989 animated musical All Dogs Go To Heaven starring late actors Burt Reynolds, Dom DeLuise and Charles Nelson Reilly along with Loni Anderson and others. The movie centers around a deceased dog who comes back from Heaven to help his canine friends learn kindness, friendship and love.

Based on my experience, the Twelve Phases of Transition I describe in Angelic Attendants where we’re surrounded by angels and deceased loved ones and friends as we’re dying only partially applies to dogs and all animals.

Over the years, I’ve scanned many dogs (and other animals) in their final stages of life. In each instance, I’ve seen the animal’s spirit separate from its body and attach itself to the top of the animal’s head before it dies. It does look like the human equivalent of what I call the “spirit bubble” in the Twelve Phases of Transition.

That however, is where the similarities end. I haven’t ever seen angels or the spirits of deceased animals surround a dying animal. Now, I’m not saying it can’t happen, I’m just saying I haven’t ever seen it and “get” it doesn’t happen.

Conversely, as you read in Angelic Attendants, I always see the spirits of deceased pets surround people as they’re dying. Everything from household species like dogs, cats and birds to exotic and farm animals’ spirits can be present and are part of what I call the “Welcome To Heaven Committee”.

Maybe unlike humans, dogs don’t need support when transitioning. Perhaps, like the movie title implies, since All Dogs Go To Heaven, dogs and animals instinctively know there isn’t anything to fear.

By the way, all people go to Heaven too!