Dante - My Dog, My Heart, My Angel
Dante the Dog appeared in a search on my computer screen in 2005. I knew he was my dog, our dog, and earnestly convinced my husband it was so. In fact, just as I had found my husband online, and knew we were meant to be together, the same was true for Dante. His leash was put in my hand when we met at the local Petco, and I never let go.
A book needs to be written about our eleven plus years together, and it will be, but for now it’s important to try to put into words how special, and dare I say, angelic, Dante was on Earth. His fur was white, and butterscotch, and shimmery gold - all at once. He never, ever smelled bad, or dog-like, and instead had this indescribably uplifting scent. People and dogs alike were drawn to him like a magnet, and they wanted to touch him and be in his space.
But it was his capacity for love that was the most magical. He would “hug” me, and I could feel it to the depths of my soul. The peace, the understanding, the acceptance that flowed from him was ever-present, and so powerful. My love for him was deep, and from the beginning, before I even know what I know now - felt like it was on a different plane.
In July of 2016, Dante let us know it was time for him to leave. In a span of three weeks, we dealt with him having some sort of injury or incident at his trainer’s house, my family rescuing him from that situation, an emergency trip home from Wisconsin, multiple vet and specialist appointments, and lots of sleeping on the floor with him. But the person I am now knows that it was time for him to say good-bye, and we had to honor his wishes. He went out like a warrior, curled in my lap.
The guilt and grief that came after changed my life. My already poor health got worse at a rapid rate, and my pain was all-encompassing. I eventually had to leave teaching after almost a thirty year career, and was led to my new life.
I found my mentor, Kay Taylor, a gifted astrologer and intuitive, at one of my lowest points, after my friend Brandy recommended her. Kay’s knowledge that Dante was more than a dog, and that the relationship loss could be equated to the level of a spouse or soul mate was so important, as was her recognition that I was extremely empathic and intuitive. For all of her insight and love, I will forever be grateful.
As I started working with Kay, and became aware of Spirit Guides, who do you think showed up? It was DANTE!
He would appear in our online class, during meditation, and attempt to get messages across. I would instantly get so emotional and start crying so hard that I couldn’t receive anything else. He kept trying, and finally yelled at me during one meditation. It stopped my crying immediately and raised my hackles so that I was at full attention! He let me know that if I could remain calm, that he was there to help me, while also always being by my side.
About this same time I learned that Dante’s passing was predetermined, and most of my guilt was released. I believe that this had to happen in order for me to work with Dante the way I do now.
I also started focusing on my intuitive work with animals. Both Dante and my intuitive colleagues and mentors saw this for me, and encouraged me to pursue this work that is so dear to my heart. I know that the unimaginable grief I endured and still feel is going to be a huge help to me when working with animal owners, and when I Iook back at my life with Dante, both physical and spiritual, I now see him as an incredible teacher.
Dante, spiritually, will still only show himself to me in dog form, even with my guardian angel suspicions. I very much get the feeling that there are some things I’m not ready to learn yet, not capable of grasping. And that’s…okay.
What I do know for sure, though, is that Dante was MY dog, Dante will forever, over many lifetimes, be a huge part of my heart, and that Dante was my angel on earth, and is my loyal guide and angel, still. And Dante, with a love that is endless and infinite, I love you.
