Friday, October 21, 2011

Deja vu

GREETINGS FROM SOUTH AFRICA!
MAXMOM here...


Hello there to all my friends and readers around the world.
I have a perplexing question for you today:

Is it possible that the Spirit of a Heart-Dog is so strong, that it may never leave you?

Now before you think I'm totally crazy, let me explain:

For some months now, I have been puzzled by the uncanny resemblance between
Angel MAXDOG and my young, Sweet Hooligan - TOBY.

 Although they are different animals with different mannerisms, I cannot ignore the distinct similarities in some of their traits.  As Toby gets older, it almost feels that our relationship is starting off from where MAXDOG left...

Am I crazy, or what?

Let me explain more...in detail:

Above Left: MAXDOG                          Above Right:TOBY


* Max looked at me with such devotion; and now Toby gives me that same look.

* Max tracked my every move, 24/7, often following me into the bathroom, the shower, the toilet, everywhere! Toby does the same.

* Max hung his head over the rim of the bath, whilst I was in it and stared at me.  So does Toby!

*Both Max and Toby ran/run trenches in my passage, with equal vigor and the same way - especially prior to a walk.

* Both dogs had/have a special relationship with Tammy - they mouth each other for hours, mock-biting and playing like they're each others' comfort blankets.
                                   Tammy and Max                                          Tammy and Toby

                                     Tammy and Max                             Tammy and Toby

*Both Max and Toby slept/sleep with their heads on their front paws.  At night, both tucked/tuck themselves into the wedge between the base of our bed and the floor. In the morning, guess whose face I see as I wake up?

                                  Left :MAXDOG                         Right: TOBY







* Both Max and Toby slept/sleep in Toffee's bed at any available opportunity.
Above: MAXDOG Right TOBY




* Both Max and Toby relished/relish their food, and both waited/wait to lick out any remnants from my dinner bowls... the same way.

*Both Max and Toby loved/love to swim.  Both dogs would/will swim when I am away from home and converted/convert themselves into muddy-apparitions by the time I got/get home.
 Above: MAXDOG


Above: TOBY

*Both Max and Toby allowed/allow their ears to be rubbed a certain way - even if I put my knuckle deep into their ear - both relished/relish it.


Above Left: MAXDOG                Above Right: TOBY


*Both dogs loved/love to learn new things.

---xXx---

Call me crazy, but the traits are far too similar to ignore.
 
Max and Toby even look the same!

And the amazing thing is that I have an equally powerful connection with my dear, beautiful
"SWEET HOOLIGAN TOBY"

---xXx---

Now here's a secret that I've not shared with many people:

Exactly 62 days after Maxdog crossed the Rainbow Bridge, Toby was born.
Do you know that the gestation period for a Golden Retriever is 60-62 days? This means that Toby was conceived within 24 hours of the passing of MAXDOG. If that doesn't give you the shivers, nothing will.

So tell me...
what do you make of this?


Can it be that the Spirit of my Heart-Dog has never left me?

---xXx---

"As I look to the sunrise,
I now know...
that you are there,
in its glorious glow..."
(Maxmom)

Sending lotsaluv to you all,




18 comments:

MySpecialDoggies said...

Yes Caryl - MaxDog's spirit remains - with you and in Toby. What a beautiful touching post.

Woofs
Nadine & golden Neeli

Milo and Alfie Marshall said...

Caryl, I have no doubt that MaxDogs spirit is still with you ~ to live in the hearts of those you love is not to die.

How Sam Sees It said...

What a nice post! I've always thought we help make our dogs. Max was part of you because you made him Max, and Toby is the same - you are helping to make him Toby. It only seems to make sense then that Toby is so similar to Max, because Max is in your spirit!

I hope that makes sense!

Sam

My Dog Sam - Ruptured Disk said...

Hi Maxmom, we definitely think that you're on to something here. My dad thinks that my brother Owen has some of the traits from both of his previous kids who went over the Bridge within 10 weeks of each other. So we agree with you. Gee we wonder what Toby will be like when the book's released.....

Two French Bulldogs said...

We are purrty sure you are Maxx reincarnated
Benny & Lily

Angel Ginger Jasper said...

No doubt in my mind at all. It was meant to be and a gift from Maxdog for sure. He lives on.. Hugs GJ xx

Angels Amber and Max DaWeenie and Mom said...

Wow...Lisa from Rottrover sent me an email telling me to check your post for today. This convinces me that reincarnation really is possible as the same thing happened at my house when I lost my beloved Doxie, Bart, in December of 2003. It's quite a long story but I have a page on my website explaining the chain of events. The story is very similar to your story of Max and Toby. This is the link to the story of Bart and Max. All this does give us the shivers, doesn't it? But it's also very comforting.

www.allthedogsinmylife.com/Bart_Max

Sheila and Bob said...

Caryl,
We truly do believe that Max's spirit lives in you and Toby. So many things in this life is not known to our human minds.
I always recall this Bible verse which is one of my favorites.

1 Corinthians 13:12
Now we see only an indistinct image in a mirror, but then we will be face to face. Now what I know is incomplete, but then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known.


Sheila & Bob

houndstooth said...

I often feel like Treat and Bunny are very similar in that way. Not that they look a lot like each other, but they do have similar endearing traits that I find very comforting. The very first night Bunny was here in our house, she hopped up on the bed and curled up right next to me in the spot where Treat had always laid. She also has to be on the couch with me when I'm sitting there. She's always been so calm and easygoing, which also reminds me of Treat.

24 Paws of Love said...

I completely believe. If your crazy than I going right along with you. :)

Our first born puppy, Zappa has Alex's eyes,(our first heart dog),literally. When I look at Zappa, I see Alex. Alex wasn't the father, but died about four months before conception. I knew Zappa was my Alex, when he was still in the womb and I felt him. I also knew and that he would be the first one born, it was Alex's style.

I got my cat Leia, nine days after my heart cat Claw died. I stopped grieving for Claw the minute I got Leia, because it was like Claw stepped into Leia's body and was still here. And it is still like that today with both of them.

I love the conception timing. So very, very cool!! So chilling and wonderful all at the same time. :) Love the miracles of the universe.

Tweedles -- that's me said...

I keep trying to find the words to tell you how I am thinking, but I cannot find the words.
I know what you are asking,
and I want to say....
yes... it is possible..
I have always felt that way.
lobe
tweedles

Curt Rogers said...

I think you know the answer. And I'm sure they would tel you, "It's about time."

Anonymous said...

Caryl, I was directed to your blog shortly after Maxdog's diagnosis. Every day I prayed that he was still with you. The day he left for the bridge, I grieved as if he was my dog. You write so well that me & people all over the world fell in love with him.

As toby started to grow up I was amazed at how much he started looking like Maxdog...Either God brought Toby to you...or He put Maxdog's spirit in Toby...oh wait...I guess thats the same thing...

Blessings & Meows to all of you,
Marlene,Sable & Tiki in Canada

sprinkles said...

^^^I grieved Max as if he were my own dog too!

I would like to believe in reincarnation. It really does sound like Max was reincarnated into Toby and came back to you.

The Thuglets said...

Max will never leave you as your heart-dog his spirit will always be with you. Toby was meant for you. Such special memories and wonderful photos.

Big Nose Pokes
The Thugletsx

The Musketeers said...

Awww~ Looks like Maxdog have placed a dog exactly like him, as if his presence will always be with you. Toby is such a sweet looking boy :)

George The Lad said...

That's quite amazing, I'm very open minded about these kinds of things, could well be the case the spirit of Maxdog is with you, science dosen't know all the answers, but I do believe dogs are very good at picking up your own personally, you and Toby are very close just like Maxdog was.
Have a good week
Jan x

Scout and Freyja said...

What do I make of this? I think that the Heavens have blessed you twice and that you are unbelievably blessed.