6th Sense, Coincidence or Wishful Thinking?

Do you believe in 6th sense? I understand that many claim to have it and that there are people who make a handsome living out of it - perhaps they do, perhaps they don't.

There are many well-documented cases of animals displaying it - dogs, horses, cats etc. We read almost every day of how someone's 'helper' dog saved their owner's life - indeed, in my paper only the other day was the report of how a cat, on it's owner taking suddenly ill, rushing outside and started tormenting the neighbour's dog, which created a racket.

The cat went on to jumping against the neighbour's windows and kept it up until she got their attention.She led hem to her mistress and they phoned the emergency services, so saving her life.

Now,back to my original question. Stay with me, we'll get there soon.

When it was arranged that dealing with Oscar would be left to The One With The Short Fat Hairy Legs, she enlisted the support of our No. 3 Son, who, it was agreed, would accompany her to the vet's and would drive home if She wasn't up to it.

Now, this was before I'd made the phone call and the arrangements. No. 3 was out and about this morning and had left his parked car to walk down the pavement (sidewalk). His walk took him past a recreation field, the gate to which was a style type.

No 3 was still a few yards from the gate when what could have been Oscar's twin came bouncing through the gate in exactly the same manner as Oscar used to do.

Son felt a twinge but then settled down but the dog came bounding up to him and circled him, sniffing his legs etc. Suddenly, the dog reared up and plonked his size nineteen paws on Son's chest, nuzzling him. Son burst into tears.

The man, thinking that his dog had frightened him, dragged the dog away, apologising profusely, but Son explained that he was not frightened and explained the full circumstances to the man.

The man, I am told, went pale and silent before walking away, but before he left, he was adamant that, in the 6 years that the dog had been with their family, he had never, ever jumped up to anyone like that.

So, back to my question - was this 6th sense, coincidence or merely wishful thinking?

Oscar The Lovable Lump

I told a little while ago, in certain newsgroups, that Oscar, my No.1 Son's loveable lump of a Chocolate Lab had contracted cancer and had been 'given' two months at the most.

Over the last few days, he's rapidly declined so that all characteristics of the loveable, frisky, playful and attentive Great Big Heffylump have disappeared, leaving a shell, a mere memory of his ebullient self. We know him so well because we 'borrow' him as his Daddy, who lives on his own with the 2 dogs, Sandy and Oscar, both Labs, and have done so for many years. Both dogs have, in fact, become full members of our family.

When No. 1 Son dropped him off here this morning at 4.00 am, he stated tearfully that he had come to the decision that he would not allow the big daft lump to degrade any more whilst suffering in the process.

To that end, it fell to me to make the painful and emotional phone call to arrange with the vet that he be taken in at 3.15 BST this afternoon, Monday 14th July 2014, when he would be assisted with dignity and compassion, over the Rainbow Bridge.

As I write this portion, it is 16.45 on 14th July, 2014. He fought the sedative, before giving up then tried to fight the main injection. He gave up after a few seconds and passed peaceably over the bridge. I like to think he lolloped over joyfully, as he used to do and that he has had time to get his bearings, so that he will be with others of his kind, pausing to smell the flowers, watch the birds and follow the clouds across the sky.
Pleasant daydreams, Old Feller.

R.I.P Oscar.