This is a story of signs that my Lilly sent to me that I just thought would come in dreams. I was not so convinced that they really come. I would like to share with all of you, especially in early grieving what I have experienced...

To start, Lilly went to Rainbow Bridge on 4/29/09. However I could not afford to even sign her up until 5/24/09 due to the 4k in Vet bills over a 7 week period of time....The signs started before I signed her up. I just never realized what was going on... Here are a few that I received with dates:

1. 4/29/09. I took Lilly down to the Vet to be put to sleep at 4:30 pm. She hadn't moved for 2 days, couldn't get up and I knew it was time. (She suffered from Kidney Failure)Before they gave her the pre shot at 4:40, I said to her I loved her and thanked her for everything. As soon as she was under, the final shot came. I ran out of the room bawling but waiting until my daughter stayed with her. As soon as I got in the car (once she was wrapped up and they were done) it was 5:00 pm, her Sissy Venecia (Nini) looked up in the sky and howled for 3 minutes straight as we were driving. She knew her spirit was going up to be with the lord.

2. 5/25/09. The first candle light vigil. My kitty Nala had laid right by Lilly's pictures and candles and never left until the ceremony was over. The same time Sissy Nini was in the room the entire time until I blew out the candles. (Nini has been with me during every candle ceremony since)

3. 5/30. I took Sissy Nini for a walk at Grandma and Grandpa's house for the first time in a month. We were walking and I heard this dog barking at one of the houses we walked by that sounded just like Lilly...Nini's ears went up and she stood still. I went to the house and there was no dog living there!

4. 6/6/09. I rolled a ball near kitty Nala and she ran as if Lilly was going to chase after the ball. I had rolled that ball so many times before and Nala just sat there. 2 days later Nala kitty went missing and has never come back :(

5. 6/10/09. For the past two days every time I turned the radio on while I was thinking of Lilly and this song "Freebird" came on first every time for 3x. I didn't understand until that day that when the music is playing there are dogs barking in the background. I finally got it! Haven't heard that song since. But every time I turn the radio on since when Lilly enters my mind, I always hear a song that says something to me. I wrote to her and thanked her on the 10th.

6. 6/12/09. Lilly finally came to me in a dream (which most dreams we don't remember) She was standing there smiling looking so healthy on the side of my house where we always played catch just about everyday. I smiled and went back to sleep. The dream woke me up! I went back to sleep and I was woken up again with the same exact dream less than an hour later! I smiled again and went back to sleep.

7. 6/20/09. I was outside and noticed one of her softballs chewed up on the same side of the house we played. There is not another doggie here that would have been able to do that. That ball has moved on a couple of occasions for no reason at all.

8. 7/4/09. 2 things happened. Would have been Lilly's 7th Birthday. My kids and I went to watch the fireworks. One of the fireworks left a smoke up in the air in same exact shape of Lilly. I didn't say a word. Later my daughter told me she saw the shape of Lilly in the smoke.
On this same day, a dog was dropped off at a person's house and listed on Craigslist. I kept checking Craigslist for lost and found looking for missing kitty Nala and this man after one month had posted and ad after weekly attempt that he was keeping this dog. He named her Lulu. That is Lilly's nickname. I wrote to him and told him of the irony and he sent me some videos of his other dogs and one of his dogs looked just like my Lilly. He also is starting a rescue foundation for abanded pets and for animals about to be put to sleep due to over crowded shelters. I have wanted to do this for years. I am now going to be helping in training and fostering dogs for him.

9. 7/24/09. I saw a tennis ball right in front of the fridge. Again, no way this could have happened. Where did it come from? Sissy Nini hasn't chased a ball ever, let alone bring it into the kitchen and leave it by the fridge. I vacuum and mop my kitchen twice a week!

10. 7/25/09. I went to Lilly's favorite place, the reservoir. I went to the first swimming hole we always stopped at and buried copies of a gratitude letter as well as copies of pics of her and a piece of a toy (what was left of it) I sat there and cried for quite some time. I kept looking around for a stick to throw in the water. I put stones on top of everything and carved the letter "L" on the top stone. Well, D-Max had taken a picture of Lilly under the bride playing with her stick up in Rainbow Bridge and when I returned back to the site on our way out after walking the reservoir with Nini. (We always stopped one more time before leaving at that first hole for Lilly to swim before heading out) I looked at the burial stone and I couldn't believe it! A stick just like the one that Lilly was playing with at Rainbow Bridge within inches of the stone! I took it home and compared it to the picture that was blown up on the fridge and no kidding.....Identical stick!

11. 8/3/09. While I blew out the third candle (Lilly always flickered the third one weekly since the beginning. Anyway, once the flickering stopped I blew out the candle and this loud "swish" noise went up to the ceiling! Unreal...never heard that before.

12. 8/5/09. I was taking pictures of the house to rent a room. Every picture came out fine, except for this one picture...right by the couch and the recliner...there is a reddish brown shape, yet smeared that could be an outline of Lilly...posted on her residence page. That area happened to be the favorite place she loved to lay during the day. Either the recliner or the right side of the couch. The picture was of the right corner of the couch and the recliner...

13. 8/10/09. Last candle light vigil. I was really having a hard time. This time the first and third candle flickered for quite some time after, usually just the third (for all the furbabies who are in need of help) and the first which is to honor our furbabies. She wanted me to know she was okay. I do not blow out the candles until the flickering stops....there have been times where I try and blow out candle 3 and it does not blow out...I figured okay, when your ready you'll let me know.

14. 7/25/09. Same day as burial. Lilly was taught to say Mom...It took her a few tries but after 3 or 4 times she would say MaaaawM. It was adorable. Anyway, while walking halfway around the reservoir with Nini, there was a duck (amongst many) that kept making that Maaaawm noise. I swear! it happened 3times and it sounded just like my Lilly.

I'm sure there were more that I didn't even notice. I have become more spiritually connected as time has passed over these past 3 months and am realizing that our babies are always with us. And they do make time to send down a sign to let us know they are okay. It may not always be obvious like a dream or a song....just look around you once in a while and keep an open mind, BELEIVE, and keep listening. You NEVER know when our babies are letting us know they are okay...xxxxx Debbie Reis (Lilly Reis's Mommy)

Here is Lilly's residence page if you would like to see the pictures, especially the spirit pic next to the couch....Thank you for reading this and I hope it helps. Grieving is so hard; however signs somehow make it easier..... http://RainbowsBridge.com/residents/LILLY020/Resident.htm