Spartacus & Sheila; Photo: L. Weikel

Eerie Synchronicity

The night we buried Spartacus, I wrote in my post that Cletus behaved exactly the same way at Spartacus’s burial as he had at Sheila’s. And for all his cranky bad-assery, it was poignant and moving to us humans that he so obviously (and identically) paid tribute to both of his canine siblings at their spiritual sendoffs. I mentioned that Tiffany also experienced an eerie synchronicity between the two funerals, but I would share the details in a separate post.

Karl’s Raccoon Card – Photo: L. Weikel

The Backdrop

In case you’re not aware of it, there’s a strong association our whole family shares that connects Karl (our son) and Raccoons. Indeed, Raccoon was definitely one of Karl’s power animals. As a result, after he died, I created ‘memorial’ cards (very similar to the Catholic ‘mass cards’ I grew up with) that feature a raccoon on one side and Karl’s photo and a poem from Medicine Cards on the other.

Never having met Karl in person, Tiffany is especially aware of the Karl-Raccoon connection.

Cute little guy – Photo: L.Weikel

Sheila’s With Me

The evening we had our burial ceremony for our sweet Sheila last year (at the end of September, as a matter of fact), Tiffany and M had attended a previously scheduled tour of Grounds for Sculpture that afternoon. When they arrived here at the house for the ceremony, Tiffany eagerly recounted an extraordinary encounter they’d had only an hour or two earlier.

While meandering through the Grounds for Sculpture, two raccoons walked right up to Tiffany. Literally, as if hailing an old friend. Enchanted, both because they were adorable in their own right but also because she was keenly aware of the Karl/Raccoon connection, she gestured for M to join her. My son, being a tad oblivious, made his way over to Tiffany but failed to notice them before they scampered away.

M and T continued meandering through the park. Tiffany, already feeling something magical was unfolding, soon realized that the raccoons were tracking them. As M and T made their way along the path, the two raccoons followed them in the woods next to the path for several hundred yards along the water. Every once in a while the creatures made themselves noticeably visible to M and T, almost as if to flag them down and say, “Hey! Look at us! Pay attention!”

Finally, M noticed them. It was as if their job was accomplished. Tiffany felt it was an unmistakable message from Karl that he and Sheila were reunited – and all was well. We all definitely concurred. No question about it; Karl and Sheila had enjoyed a special bond.

Spartacus Is Here Too

Following our ceremony for Spartacus last week, I received an excited text from Tiffany. On her way home – you guessed it – two raccoons had crossed in front of her car, stopping to glance pointedly in her direction. Yet again, it was a sign; Karl was assuring us that all was well and our beloved Spartacus had joined him (and Sheila) in the Spirit world.

What a delightful, if slightly eerie, synchronicity. Two raccoons making a point of being SEEN, in two different places (two different states, even!), and both times on the exact evening of us burying our beloved Boston Terriers – one year apart. Thank you, Karl. Thank you, Raccoon. And thank you, Tiffany, for paying attention and appreciating the magic!

As we are fond of saying in our family, YCMTSU.

(T-59)