Dreams

Have you ever had a bizarre dream and wondered first, “What was that?” and then, “What does that mean?”

I recently had a dream about my dog, Ruby. Anyone who knows me knows that she and I are very attached. Some might call it codependent. I just think they do not know what they are missing.

In the dream, her tail mattered. The curlier it was, almost like a possum’s tail, the happier it meant she was with her life. Someone of authority told me this, as if it were a fact I was meant to understand. And for those who have Pomeranians, or have ever touched the tail of one, you already know how their tails curl at the tips, almost as if they could hold on to something.

Since my Boston Terrier passed away in February of 2024, I have worried about Ruby more than usual. She lost her best friend and not long after began having seizures following vaccinations. She had received vaccines in the past without any problems, which made it even harder to understand what had changed. I am not sure if it was grief, the vaccines themselves, her being a small eight pound dog, or a combination of all of it.

She also went from being a competitive eater to barely eating at all, unless it was a treat, and even then it rarely seemed appealing.

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My two daughters with Bailey when they were younger.

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At the worst of it, she was having as many as four seizures a day. Over time, they slowly lessened. From daily episodes, to once a week, then once a month. After about eighteen months, they stopped altogether.

I took her to three different veterinarians and received very mixed messages. Two wanted to run extensive testing and spoke of thousands of dollars in procedures. One told me I was doing everything right at home, especially since she was slowly improving.

It took about a year before I saw her play again. Now she struggles more with separation anxiety. We even leave the Hallmark Channel on when we go out so she has company. She barks at us when we leave, as if she is saying, “Hey, you better take me with you.” Thankfully, our neighbors are understanding.

I think this dream may have been my subconscious reminding me of something I needed to hear. That Ruby is happy. That Ruby is okay.

How about you? Do you ever have dreams that feel like your subconscious trying to speak to you, or are you the type to Google what your dream means?

This is not the first time I have felt like a dream was my subconscious speaking to me. That story is heavier, and I will share it another time.

If you feel comfortable, I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

— Jen