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Do dogs see ghosts? Here is my experience of my dog freezing and growling with hackles raised, at a spot in the room. SCARY!!!!
DepositPhoto/Artranq

I love this time of year because it’s suddenly okay to talk about our actual experiences with the paranormal. Mostly, I roll my eyes at the ghost hunter shows or get excited about the latest Paranormal Activity movie. But I rarely admit that I believe in ghosts.  So I'm stepping away from my usual chatter about raw feeding and dog nutrition to chat about ghosts.  

Happy Halloween!

Are Ghosts Real?

The existence of ghosts is a subject of much speculation and debate. From a scientific standpoint, there is currently no definitive evidence supporting the existence of ghosts. Scientific exploration primarily focuses on natural explanations for observed phenomena, and so far, no empirical evidence has been consistently or reliably provided to demonstrate the existence of ghosts or the paranormal.

Many reported ghostly experiences can often be attributed to psychological and physiological factors. These can include pareidolia, the tendency to perceive meaningful patterns or faces in random stimuli, hallucinations, sleep paralysis, and vivid dreams.

Furthermore, various phenomena that people attribute to ghosts can usually be explained by natural causes, such as infrasound (low-frequency sounds that can cause feelings of unease), electromagnetic fields, or drafts that create strange sensations.

Although there have been numerous claims of ghost sightings and encounters, they lack the scientific rigor to be considered conclusive evidence. Scientists and skeptics argue that extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence, and until such evidence is produced, the existence of ghosts remains in the realm of belief and personal experiences rather than scientific fact.

It's important to acknowledge that personal beliefs and experiences can significantly influence individual perceptions of ghosts. While science has its limitations in exploring the supernatural, it continues to seek explanations for paranormal phenomena through rigorous investigation and analysis.

Do Dogs See Ghosts?

I believe ghosts are real. I don't know what they are, but growing up in the Poltergeist, Steven King, and Freddie Kruger era makes it hard NOT to believe.

In 2018, Sydney and I walked into the kitchen, and she stopped, her hackles raised, and she started a low growl while looking towards the sink/dishwasher area, stepped forward to block me, and leaned into me, to push me back.

What did she see that I couldn't? A ghost? I didn't get freaked out because I'm no stranger to the paranormal. I’ve always been told to ignore ghosts because acknowledging them is giving them power. But what do you do when your dog sees a ghost? It’s hard to ignore Sydney when she’s snarling, growling and barking.

What I Did When My Dog Saw a Ghost

I still don't know what Sydney saw (or felt). She could have been reacting to a noise I couldn't hear, a scent to faint for me to pick up, or something paranormal, but I returned to my faith and followed these steps:

1 – Relax – Based on Sydney's reaction, I took a deep breath and faced where I thought the ghost was standing.

2 – Address the “ghost” – I said, “Thanks for stopping by, but because of Sydney’s reaction, I need you to move on; you can’t hang out with us here.”

3 – Pray – Years ago, I read a scary article about a woman who was attacked by an entity in a hospital room. She said, “Jesus, Jesus, Jesus,” and the attack stopped. So I did the same. And followed up with the Lord's Prayer.

4 – Hope for the best – Sydney immediately calmed down and acted like nothing happened. It was like I had woken up from a dream; it was hard to believe anything was wrong. So I hope that I did the right thing.

Eliminating Negative Energy in the Home

Negative energy is often referenced in new age practices, but I think it's more common. Negative energy generally refers to emotional or spiritual energy that is considered harmful, draining, or destructive. And it's clear that animals are sensitive to positive and negative energy. Living with anxiety and depression, I was often the source of negative energy in my home, and dogs picked up on my mood minutes after I walked into a room and would distance themselves from me if my energy was dark.

Re-committing myself to the Lord and being delivered from anxiety and depression made a significant change.

Best Essential Oils for Negative Energy

Keeping a calm and peaceful energy in our home is a top priority for me. Negativity increases stress, which leads to health issues. My favorite way to make our home more relaxing is by diffusing essential oils, and my favorites for this time of year are:

  • Lavender – calming and relaxing, resists negative energy
  • Sweet Orange – elevates everyone's mood; great for cleaning the house
  • Bergamot – releases that “wet blanket” feeling that drags you down
  • Clary Sage – eliminates negativity, boosts mood and energy
  • Eucalyptus – brings fresh, clean air into the home, especially in the fall/winter when the windows are closed
  • Ylang Ylang – excellent when you're feeling down on yourself and need a confidence boost
  • Chamomile – helps to calm and relax after a long day
  • Vanilla – this one makes me feel safe; I think it's because it reminds me of my father
  • Germ Fighter – I love cleaning with this one and diffusing it in the fall and winter to keep colds away

Calming Our Dogs at Home

For days when my dogs need more support, there are several things I can do to help promote calmness in the home.

  • CBD Oil – I alternate between two brands, Earth Buddy Pet and CBD Dog Health. Giving them CBD oil daily (or at least 5 days weekly) helps to promote calmness and overall wellness.
  • Apply Essential Oils – when applying essential oils to my dogs, I use AnimalEO because these oils were formulated by a holistic veterinarian for therapeutic and medicinal use. Boost in a Bottle, Warmth, and Calm-a-Mile are my favorites for calming.
  • Long Walks – an exercised dog is a happy and relaxed dog, in my experience. We walk for an hour once or twice daily. Each walk is a combination walk/sniff – allowing the dogs to sniff as we walk, makes the time more engaging.

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