Wednesday, May 06, 2009

The Ghost of Pets Past?

In celebration of the release of Marley Gibson’s first book in her very cool Ghost Huntress series, The Awakening, we’re talking about ghosts this week.

I had the pleasure of reading an early version of this book, and can say with certainty that you’re going to love it!

But first I have the great fun of announcing the winner of yesterday's contest:

MRS. V!

(Mrs. V, please e-mail Marley at marley_gibson@yahoo.com to give her your mailing info.)

Now, back to business! On Monday, Marley talked about seeing what might have been the ghost of her recently passed dog. I am going to share about a ghostly pet-type experience I may or may not have had, too...even though I didn't SEE anything!

Years ago, I had a unusual and effective “space sharing” agreement with a screenwriter friend. I’d just gotten my first full-time job and was anxious to move out on my own, but didn’t have enough money yet for my own place. He’d been finding the rent on his office--an adorable one-room bungalow--a little steep. And since his landlord was easy-going, we agreed to “space share,” with me kicking in part of the rent, and occupying the bungalow after business hours.

I bought a sofa bed, and my independent life was launched. We both tried to be considerate: I made sure I didn’t leave my “unmentionables” out, and he never showed up until I was out-the-door each morning.

But the one thing we never discussed--something I didn’t tell anyone for a long time--was that things got a little weird in there at night. After I’d pulled out the bed, and turned out the lights, I would feel the strangest thing…the burrowing or nesting of something against me, like, well, a small curled-up animal.

Now, I come from a “cat family.” I’d spent much of my life with one or more sleeping against me. I knew the feeling. And I knew that for the most part, if I changed positions, a cold or cuddly cat would merely readjust, as well, as snuggle back in.

And what’s what made this so strange. If I moved or flipped over, there would be this pause of some seconds, and then I swore, I’d feel the pressure again in a slightly different spot. But when I reached my hand down to touch the space or when I flipped on the light, nothing was there.


I lay awake, night after night, wondering…intrigued…and a bit freaked out. I finally decided it was one of two things: the ghost of an animal (particularly, a cat) who was happy to find a sleeping human in this predominant office neighborhood; or that there was something weird with the contours of the pull-out sofa mattress.

So, flash forward a few months, and I had enough money to move into my own apartment (with an actual kitchen and bedroom). I bought a bed, too, and honestly, forgot about the “ghost.”

Until I had some guests and gave them my bed. I spent a few nights on the sofa bed, and realized, rather vaguely, that something seemed missing. No matter my position, number of blankets or pillows, I never felt that cuddle-up pressure again. Not then, nor for the next several years when I occasionally slept on the sofa bed.

And that’s where my story ends. Any thoughts? Any similar experiences?

Don't forget to leave a comment below to be entered to win a copy of The Awakening!

11 comments:

Summer said...

ghost kitty! freaky deaky. I feel icky buggies crawling all over me all the time but I think that's just a result of my own paranoia.

Marley Gibson said...

LOVE, love, love this story, Tina!!! Thanks for posting it!

Janie Emaus said...

I always "feel" the presence of my beloved dog, Angel, when I'm walking on the cross country track where I used to take her every day. Ghost or not, I know she's with me.

Wendy said...

That's definitely freaky! Can't say anything like that has happened to me.

Kelly (Lynn) Parra said...

That is freaky, Tina! haha. One time my son awoke in the middle of night and thought he saw a dog by his bed. So it doesn't sound too unbelievable for me about pet ghosts! :) :)

stephhale said...

That's sweet, Tina. I hope your ghost kitty found the light and is busy cuddling with some cat lovers.

Cara King said...

I hope the ghost kitty wasn't too sad after you moved out!

Cara

Lori T said...

Oh my goodness, that would have freaked me out a bit. What a great story and I have never had anything like that happen. At least, the experience was a good one and did not scare you.

Heather Davis said...

That is a great story!! Omg. A cuddly cat ghost sounds way better than a scary one. ;)

TinaFerraro said...

Thanks for the thoughts and comments everyone and look to Heather's post (coming up next) for the announcement of the winner!

clangrant said...

my beautiful cameo persian died last year by coyote. she was an amazing cat and i have had many. my mother & i had shared a home for 10 years. she retired to SC and i stayed in Cape Cod. she got out out one night after i had moved.
after 3 months i would have very realistic dreams of her visiting me. i am sensitive to certain things and have witnessed some amazing things in life. one week after this my mother who was very fond of the cat awoke in middle of night to see a pink auroa floating across romm and it got in bed with her and curled against leg like in above story. 2 months later i had another dream and exactly 1 week later like previous it appeared to my mom again. by this time we had talked and thought it was tia marie. this time she could see the cats face in the pink auroa. 2 months later again and 1 week later she appeared to mom again and this time mom talked with her and she could see her talking back. she used to talk all of the time in life. mom was never afraid during any visit and if you knew my mom she is very down to earth realistic. i had the dream again last night and this time mom is going to have her camera ready.
TIA WE MISS YOU!