Can Dogs Come Back as Ghosts?

Initially, when you think of ghosts or the paranormal, your first response may be of human entities and not a canine or pet ghost.

Surprisingly, there have been documented reports of pets coming back as ghosts to relay messages to humans or communicate with living animals.

The A&E hit series, Paranormal State is a cable show that touches on the science of the paranormal and the occult. The star of the show, Ryan Buell is a Penn State college student who formed the Paranormal Research Society or PRS. The team seeks out families and their real-life experiences with ghosts and other mysterious paranormal phenomena. Ryan and the members of PRS travel across the country looking for individuals who are being taunted by ghosts and troublesome afterlife who can not seem to pass into the light.

One episode highlights a woman named Sybil and her pet Labrador Retriever--Lucy. They live together in an isolated area outside of Waterboro, Maine. Sybil reports that she is being harassed and tortured by an unknown entity. They recently had to move out and abandon their home because they felt uneasy and uncomfortable living there. Sybil is most concerned about the reaction of Lucy in areas of the house in addition to her erratic and odd behavior.

As PRS begins their investigation, something strange appears to happen to Lucy. While the camera is rolling, Lucy would not step through the threshold of the house. Even with coercion, the canine firmly backed her legs into the ground and refused to cross into the house. After a few minutes, once Sybil walked inside, Lucy reluctantly followed.

When Ryan and the PRS investigators step inside, the dog frantically barked and howled--especially as the team entered the stairwell to go upstairs. The team found this unsettling and began to delve further into the probable cause of Lucy's behavior.

Into the investigation, PRS discovered more clues as to who else may be residing in the home. With the help of psychic medium, Chip Coffee and after questioning neighbors and past homeowners, the clues were coming together. The team assumed there had to be a connection with the haunting and several bizarre freak accidents related to animals that previously lived on the property. Many of the previous owners that were interviewed reported their dogs were killed on the highway and hit by cars soon after moving into the house.

According to first-hand reports, no one appeared to stay in the house longer than a couple of years since the house was built--over 100 years ago. The team found out that there was some form of animal sacrificing practice that once took place on the property. Several animals were brutally abused and killed before being buried on the property. Could the haunting be related to the ghosts of the deceased dogs on the property? Was this affecting Sybil and Lucy in a frightening way?

As the investigation continued, the PRS team found a huge pet cemetery just outside the house in the woods. Upon examination, the burial of the animals was similar to that of ancient animal sacrifice practices. To add closure to the case, the team conducted a proper burial of many of the animals and a short blessing. This seemed to initiate a restful passover of whatever was haunting and torturing Sybil and Lucy. Shortly thereafter, both moved back into their home, but as the show reported, they later decided to put the house on the real estate market.

Some people believe that dogs pass over to the afterlife the same way humans do. It could be that the restless spirits of some dogs--just like humans--can get stuck between worlds. They may remain a hidden presence here on earth to haunt people and places that they are familiar with.

Sometimes, dogs can display a sixth sense. Could some be psychic? Some animals can predict weather, illness and occasionally detect when humans are sad or depressed.

Dogs that have died tragic deaths may possibly come back as ghosts. If the canine has unresolved issues and is unable to pass over to the other side, he may think that he or she is still on earth--playing, and trying to interact with humans and animals. On the contrary, he may be trying to get a message across about how he was treated when he was alive and who or what was responsible for his death.

Further study continues to progress into all that surrounds the canine psyche. You may be surprised to learn that your dog may know and sense--more than you think.

"Paranormal State," A&E