In a heart-pounding rescue operation, a dedicated team of heroes faced a race against time to free Ziggy, a 10-year-old Patterdale terrier, from a perilous underground bunker. This harrowing ordeal left everyone on edge as they fought tirelessly to save a beloved pup trapped in a dire situation.
Ziggy had been enjoying a carefree day on his family’s farm, frolicking alongside his mom when an unexpected turn of events sent him spiraling into a dark abyss—an underground drain pipe. At first, his mom wasn’t overly concerned; after all, this wasn’t Ziggy’s first escapade into subterranean exploration. But as the minutes turned into hours, and Ziggy failed to reappear, panic set in.
Lauren Flintoft, Ziggy’s mom, shared her worry, saying, “I was worried he might have been stuck, and that’s why he didn’t appear. My husband Tim spent the whole night trying to entice him out, and when he didn’t emerge, I called in help.”
Desperate for aid, Flintoft reached out to the RSPCA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) with hopes that they could assist in rescuing Ziggy from his precarious predicament. A team of dedicated rescuers promptly arrived at the scene, ready to tackle the daunting task of locating and liberating the trapped terrier.
The operation was not for the faint of heart. Rescuers had to meticulously map the complex underground pipes, meticulously plotting their course to reach Ziggy. With unwavering determination, they began to dig two enormous holes, strategically positioned to expose Ziggy’s location.
Finally, after hours of relentless effort, the group spotted a glimmer of hope—a glimpse of Ziggy’s furry form within the confined space. With great care and precision, they gently cleared away the debris that held Ziggy captive, allowing him to wiggle his way to freedom. Remarkably, Ziggy had endured an astonishing 19 hours trapped in the drain pipe.
Despite his extended ordeal, Ziggy emerged from his subterranean prison unharmed, albeit a bit shaken. He was swiftly reunited with his relieved family, basking in the warmth of their embrace. This heartwarming rescue reaffirmed the unwavering bond between humans and their faithful canine companions.
Faebian Vann, an animal collection officer with the RSPCA, joyfully shared, “He’s now back home with his owners where he belongs, and no doubt he’ll be getting up to no good again very soon.”
Ziggy’s triumphant return serves as a testament to the extraordinary efforts of a dedicated rescue team and the power of compassion in the face of adversity. His story reminds us of the enduring spirit of our four-legged friends and the lengths we’re willing to go to ensure their safety and well-being.
Can pets see ghosts?
Spooky season is in full swing, meaning there may be some heightened paranormal activity afoot. In fact, a survey conducted by YouGov revealed that two in five Americans believe ghosts are real, while one in five people say they’ve actually encountered one.
The existence of ghosts may be up for debate, but one of the most persistent beliefs is that our animals can sense spirits or paranormal activity. We’ve all witnessed the scene in scary movies or TV shows, when the tiny dog barks at the door but no one is there. Sure, the movie may be fake, but many pet owners have noticed their dog or cat do the same in real life.
Of course, there’s only one thought that enters a pet owner’s mind when this occurs – that their animal is obviously interacting with a ghost. To set the record straight, we spoke with two animal communicators – aka, pet psychics – to learn whether our animals are really channeling the other side.
Why do we believe our pets can see ghosts in the first place? According to Phoebe Hoffman, an animal communicator and intuitive guide based in New York City, it has a lot to do with their heightened senses.
“Pets are living off of energy, whether it’s our energy or energy that we are not privy to, because we’re so limited in our senses compared to them,” Hoffman tells us. “Now, can I say that what they’re seeing is ghosts? I don’t know that because I’ve never seen a ghost. I’m not seeing what they’re seeing, but I’ve had many experiences with my own animals – which happen to be cats – where they are having an absolute moment with something that’s there that only they can witness.”
It goes without saying that animals have senses that are unknown to humans. When it comes to our beloved canines, dogs have the ability to hear much higher-pitched noises than their owners. The average adult human can’t hear sounds above 20,000 Hertz (Hz), while dogs can hear sounds as high as 47,000 to 65,000 Hz, per the American Kennel Club.
Meanwhile, cats are known to have great eyesight, especially in the dark. According to Texas A&M University, felines can dilate their pupils in low-light settings and they have a special reflective layer called the tapetum lucidum, which can reflect more light to the back of the eye.
“Non-human animals sense things in different ways than humans do. Cats, for instance, the way they see things is different from the way humans see things. Their eyesight is different, they can definitely perceive energies that we can’t or things that aren’t visible to the human eye,” Olivia LaBarre, an animal communicator and Reiki specialist based in NYC, tells us. “Most of the animals I communicate with have increased senses beyond the five senses.”
But what about those undeniable moments when our dog or cat appears to be reacting – or interacting – with something we can’t see? When they begin to bark or meow at nothing visible, stand in the corner, play with an object that belonged to a deceased family member, or assume behaviours that are characteristic of a former pet? For LaBarre – who’s been an animal communicator and grief worker for five years – her clients have noticed that, after one of their pets dies, their living animal will even start taking on some of the behaviours of the animal who passed.
When these moments occur, it’s important to look out for certain signs or signals that your dog or cat’s behaviour has suddenly shifted. This can look like playing with something that isn’t there, tilting their head, arching their back, or wagging their tail.
As for what pet owners should do when they believe their beloved animal is interacting with a ghost, experts agree to just sit back and let it happen. “Allow it, observe it, and just pay attention because it might be about you. Humans are very unaware of the mysteries of the universe. Animals, they’re tapped in. They are aware that energy doesn’t die,” says Hoffman. “Just let it happen. It’s not a bad thing.”
However, there could be the slight off chance that a poltergeist from the next Paranormal Activity instalment just so happens to be living in your kitchen. Then, of course, it’s time to call in the experts… or an exorcist.
Our pets’ heightened senses – and sometimes their silly, quirky, and erratic behaviour – has played into the belief that dogs and cats can see ghosts. Still, there’s much uncertainty about whether this long-standing superstition is actually true.
“We are so limited in our ability to see what the naked eye cannot see. Animals have this window into watching spirits and energy,” says Hoffman. “But as far as a ghost? That I don’t know, but I know they’re seeing something.”
Although it continues to be a mystery whether our pets’ senses are able to pick up on energies or spirits, pay close attention to your dog or cat this spooky season. Who knows what life forms will be lurking this Halloween?
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