Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - story about Sway...

i wanted to share a story with everyone here... this happened to me yesterday and will remain with me as one of the most memorable things that i have personally ever seen. since sway's passing i have continued to talk to her at random throughout the days... i don't know any other way to help me with my grief, as she lives within me now. well...weeks prior to all this happening i had made arrangements to go dolphin and whale watching on sunday 7/26 in dana point. my mom was flying in to visit me on the 22nd and would be here a week and so it was one of the things i setup in advance of her getting here. i had talked to sway numerous times already this day and we (me, my girlfriend, my mom and her friend) took off in this large boat and went miles out into the ocean for a 3+ hour ride... while out there we spent the first hour and a half watching 2 blue whales feeding and that in-and-of itself is obviously incredible... the group then spotted a dolphin pod and the boat began riding with them and there was about 50-100 of them swimming around us and i, (along with my gf and my moms friend) were on the bow/front of this boat with about 20 other people...and keep in mind this is about a 50 foot boat... and while everyone in the front is taking pictures and enjoying the fact that we have wild dolphins interacting with the ship, i began to grab my heart and talk to sway and just tell her how much i missed her and loved her and 'we have dolphins here, and do you see this sway??' -- and literally 30 seconds after i started speaking to her...and this is true, i offer my life up as this being fully true... 30 seconds after i started speaking to sway, my moms friend (who was standing 2 feet from me) tapped my girlfriend on the shoulder and pointed out a rainbow reflection in the ocean water as we were riding... i only overheard him say this because i was standing right next to my girlfriend. i looked down, and sure enough -- full on rainbow reflection that was about 5 feet in length literally EXACTLY right off this boats left hand side, right in the EXACT area that i was facing... literally had i hopped over the railing where i was standing my fall would have been right overboard an on top of this rainbow reflection. no one else on the boat saw it, 50-60 people on the boat, they were too pre-occupied with the dolphins...we were the only 3 on the entire boat that saw it. it lasted for about a full 60 seconds, it was viewable nowhere in the sky, just reflected perfectly on the moving ocean water to the exact left of me as our boat was speeding over the waves with these dolphins...and it stayed perfectly in place, and then was just gone. i tried to take a few pictures of it, and here one is >>> http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2538/3764291816_12ed33795c_o.jpg on this one i messed with the levels, brings it out more >>> http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2584/3763494603_881c9533a8_o.jpg now of course i didn't mention the significance of such a thing to them, and it was just a cool lil' rainbow to them... but me, knowing the existence of a 'rainbow bridge' that passing dogs go too, well i knew it was sway. i knew it. 150% positive. and i will never forget this for as long as i live. i told my girlfriend this story that night and couldn't contain my emotions as i barely got this thing out to her, and spoke about faith and hope and the existence of a God and all kinds of things. i'm not an overly religious person, but that was one of those moments in one's life...you might have 2 or 3 in a lifetime, where you just say in awe - proof is shown to you from God himself. and i will just never forget it. and that wasn't all... i always have said for years that sway's face looked like a baby seal - she has the most beautiful eyes and they are big and bright and pure and innocent and they just looked almost identical to a seals eyes in that sense. well, 10 minutes after the rainbow thing...we are still riding with the dolphins and again, we are miles out from the shore...and i look backwards off the deck while we are moving with these dolphins, and out pops a california sea lion pup swimming behind the boat, with the dolphins!!! and it was just him, out of nowhere...hadn't seen one out swimming the entire trip...but there he was, dipping and weaving behind the boat, and then he was gone within seconds... the captain saw him swimming with us and pointed him out, and at the time i told my girlfriend that the little guy looked exactly like a mermaid version of sway haha. only after i explained the rainbow story to her that night did she put into context the significance of that lil' sea lion pup showing up out of the blue, it was pretty neat. both memories will stick with me forever, and they just show me personally that sway is clearly all around me. subtly and maybe only showing up in a situation like the rainbow, that was clearly meant for my eyes only...but there none the less. and it makes me feel good to know. it gives me faith and it helps me. it helps me. she always does that and is clearly still doing it. love you sway.

Josh California

Josh -- that is a wonderful story, and thank you for sharing. I could see the rainbow! I believe all of what happened, because I know our loved ones do connect with us. In the four years since we lost Wiley to IMHA, a number of things have happened, and I know it's Wiley speaking to us. Usually, it happens when I am in a bad way again, because the grief still comes. And, like you, I talk to her. I still talk to her everyday. And she lets me know she is here with me -- our relationship has changed, because I can't see her, touch her, hear her. But she's here. I've written down the many times in my journal, because each time, I feel such a sense of joy and peace. Yes, I believe Sway spoke to you, to reassure you. Aren't our beloved dogs amazing?!

Brenda VA

Josh, What an incredible story, WOW! Just beautiful that Sway was there and saw with you and that she showed you she is okay at Rainbow Bridge and that you will be okay because you will always have her in your heart just like she does you. Amazing story, and fully believe every moment was meant to be! Linda

Linda Sapphire

Incredible WOW. Thank you for sharing this precious moment.

Julie Australia

Josh, Your story brings tears as well as chills! Your girl's spirit is as strong at the bridge as it was in life, as is your amazing ability to connect with her on a deep, spiritual level. This story gives me great hope and faith and reaffirms my belief in the power of love even after death. thank you both. with love, melissa and tiggs

melissa slc

Josh Thank you for sharing this story!.. After I lost my springer to a stroke 3 yrs ago the vet made and ink paw print for me that i framed. I look at it every day... its the most precious thing i have hanging on my wall. When I got Charlie this past january in portland, and then after he was diagnosed 2 weeks into living with me, I didnt totally know his personality. over the last few months of his recovery he is so much like my springer Toby, its amazing. I can look at charlie and actually see Toby in his eyes and face. I just know that he was meant to be with me and I was at the humane society on the right day. He's my big fluffy white labradoodle. Carol

Carol Vancouver Wa

Josh. Your story brought tears to my eyes also, only this time they were happy ones. I truly believe that our departed loved ones will try to give us a sign that they are o.k. and want us to be o.k. too, and that they will be there whenever we need them. I still talk to my Salome everyday and I believe she hears me. I am so glad you had such an awesome experience. Penny

Penny Lytle Creek Calif

Josh, what a story! thank you so much for sharing it! I always thought that Sway's eyes looked like the ones of a seal. now what was that seal doing in the middle of a pod of dolphins if not giving you a sign? i don't think that seals like dolphins in particular, they are food for them and seals usually stick closer to land too. And why am I not surprised that this happened to you? You have such a strong connection with Sway. I am convinced that if you keep an open mind,she will come and touch you again. Brigitte

Brigitte BC Canada

Oh Josh what a beautiful story... Sway is one very special dog. Samantha

Samantha Perth Australia

Oh Josh Have just dried my eyes from reading about Sway's passing and now you have me crying again - but this time because I know that Sway is connecting with you and letting you know that your bond will never be broken - even tho' you can't see/touch/smell Sway you now know that wherever you are and whatever you do Sway will be alongside you watching and keeping you safe. I know this 'cos my Macauley who I lost over a year ago and my Dad who I lost in April of this year both sent me signs to let me know they are together and watching every day. I speak to them just as if they were both still with me - because they are. Keep talking to Sway, she is with you always and forever. I wish I had known about the Rainbow Bridge when I lost Macauley, it would possibly have made things easier to bear at the time!! Much love and heartfelt wishes Gill & Phoebe

gill uk

Dear Josh I could not believe this when I read it as I had a similar experience when I had to had my Golden Maggie euthinized from a very aggressive cancer about five years ago. My husband and I were leaving the vets office shortly afterward and when we stepped outside the office there was the most beautiful rainbow and we took it as a sign that Maggie was now okay and we have never forgotten it and it did bring us comfort during our dark days ahead. About a month after that we got Ginger as a foster dog and I was not sure if I wanted to adopted her, we took a walk to discuss it and guess what another beautiful rainbow, we again took this as a sigh from Maggie saying it was okay to adopted Ginger and she approved. We do not see rainbows too often here on the East coast and those two had an impact on our lives just as this one will do the same for you. I am so glad you shared this story and we hope the rainbow will bring you comfort just as it did for us. Cheryl & Ginger

Cheryl & Ginger Pineville PA

I was sitting in my Doctor's office yesterday waiting for my appointment when Sway crossed my mind. My eyes filled with tears and I tried to hide my sorrow. Your story brought tears to my eyes again followed by a smile. God places reminders everyday, everywhere to reassure us that these loved ones are just on the other side, waiting for us. When I finally meet Sway, in perfect knowledge, we will rejoice! Thanks Josh for the story and taking such good care of Sway. God bless you. Sue & Ren

Susie delaware

i take pride that sway has been an inspiration point to so many people, thank you for expressing kind sentiments about her and again, im just really proud that she touched so many people. i love hearing all your personal and unique stories about the special animals that we had, and im just thankful to have had sway in my life for as long as she was here and looking very much forward to the day i see her again.

Josh California

I really identified with you and Sway. Drago was also a pit and she was diagnosed about the same time as Sway. She let me know when it was time to go. I took her and she gave me one big lick and layed down on the bed the vet made for her as her final place. This let me know that she had had enough, and it was alright. Then again just recently I had an experience with a horse I had gotten especially close to and had to be unexpecetly put down. He came to me in a dream to let me know it was alright, that he understood. So animals do let you know that you have done the right thing. Hang in there. Sue K & Drago PS. I have a rescue pit now that just turned 2. This does help ease the pain. Her name is Tofka.

Sue K PA

I am bawling my eyes out sitting here at my computer. You and Sway and your fight have been such an inspiration to us. Its not surprising that death could not part you two. It is so comforting to know that they still are here in spirit. I had a dog put to sleep with cancer several years ago, her name was Chelsie. I remember standing on my deck looking out over the yard and distinctly hearing a dog run up behind me. I turned expecting to see my other dog standing there but there was no one. I figured it was Chelsie at the time and it brought me a really good feeling. When I mentioned it to my husband, who is very sketical of ghosts etc, he surprised me by saying that he had felt a dog brush up against him several times and there was no dog there. He figured it was Chelsie. You and Sway were truly blessed to have eachother in your lives. Sway lives on in all of our thoughts as we move forward trying to fight this disease. You have every right to be proud of her and of yourself as you have both given so many courage to move forward. Thanks Chris & Alex

Chris Pa

Josh, as I sit here with tears in my eyes I want thank you such an uplifting story. There is no doubt in my mind Sway and you are still connected. You and Sway will always be together, I know it in my heart. Take Care Jess, Keiko and Hushi

jess BC

Ditto what everyone else has said. I do believe!!!! Take care...

Mardi Northern cali

Josh, you were truly blessed to have Sway join you in such a loving and peaceful way. God knows our pain and wants us to see our friends will be waiting in a better place. It reminds ME of that as well as I am approaching the 1 yr anniversary of my sweet Brandy's going to the Rainbow Bridge. I am reliving the painful times right now and I need to remind myself of the happiest times and those yet to come. God Bless Sharon, Angel Brandy and the "new kids"

sharon pa

Josh, Thank you for sharing that beautiful experience with us. I know you mentioned that you're not overly religious, but rainbows are God's promise to us that the entire earth will never again be destroyed by a flood. He can read our hearts and feel our emotions and I believe He sent that rainbow to you (that's probably why the others didn't see it) at that very moment to let you know that Sway is alive and well in heaven. I also believe, as your girlfriend mentioned, that the little seal was yet another sign sent from God to comfort and reassure you about Sway. I remember you talking about Sway going with you on your bike trails and I can just imagine her now swimming with the dolphins, running, playing, and doing everything that makes her happy. Glad you're doing better. You obviously have a good support system with your girlfriend and your mother. Take care, Karen

Karen NC

Thanks for sharing such a wonderful story with us. We will always remember you and Sway and your long and courageous battle. She is at the rainbow bridge running and playing and looking after you from up above.

leslie ca

This thread was discussed between 28/07/2009 and 01/08/2009

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