Shelby Lynne – day of the dead celebration: a new tradition

I’ve never been one to really follow or pay much attention to the day after Halloween, also known as Día de Muertos (day of the dead) but this year is different. Missing my best girl as we enter the holiday season and knowing all that we went through last year together, I knew I needed to do something for her today.

Ironically, there is a spiritual communication center near my house that offers free aura and communication readings on the first day of each month for pets. I figured it would be a good time to figure out why Jasper Lily has the tendency to do her “low growls”.

We arrived and were seated pretty quickly and I was introduced to a woman named Shelby. At that moment, my heart literally stopped. She could see the look of shock on my face and all of a sudden this became more about MY Shelby than Jasper. I explained that I had lost my dog, Shelby, several months ago and that this was my new dog. As I told her Jasper’s full name was Jasper Lily, she shared that her daughter’s name was Lily. She quickly went into the “zone” (or whatever they call it) and started our reading. We discovered that Jasper has a lot of colorful energy around her and while she does not ‘see dead people’ (as I asked) but rather has some significant ‘negative’ energy in her aura. Her past is indeed troubled but she is working through it.

I am not sure how we transitioned into talking about my girl Shelby – I must have asked if Shelby visits at night – and then the entire session became about communicating with Shelby’s spirit. She told me almost the same exact thing the Animal Communicator I talked with about a month ago told me.

She told me that Shelby sees herself as my partner – not just a dog. That she is ALWAYS with me and that she hopes that I can feel her (and I do). She told me that Shelby does sit by the side of the bed at night – which would be exactly where Jasper looks AND where Shelby spent the last several months of her life (and parts of her pre-cancer life as well). She said that Shelby likes to ‘pet’ me – like a dog but more because Shelby sees herself as the strong one. Shelby knows that her death brought me intense pain and grief – unlike any other – and that many people grieve for her but wants me to know that she is happy and having fun. She said that Shelby said she thinks her death was sudden to me and that is 100% true. While we all knew that Shelby was sick and her days were limited, her final passing was a shock. She went from being basically fine, to having no use of her remaining leg, to seizures to coma … all within 72 hours. Sudden is spot on.

She told me that Shelby knows that I have the greatest capacity for love, as seen in our relationship, and that I need to open up my heart to love again. It will absolutely NEVER be the same love that we had or shared. Ours was unlike any other but my heart can love again if I just let it. She said to love Jasper … to let Jasper in. She said that Shelby does not see it as disloyal at all. She knows that she is “the love of my life” and that will never change. She said that Shelby is quite analytical and less ‘dog-like’ but has more human traits in the way she communicates. Almost like Shelby really did see herself as the pack leader in our relationship.

For those that may consider this ‘spiritual stuff’ mumbo jumbo, to that I say, how can TWO, TWO spiritual communicators deliver almost the exact same message to me? That left me with chills. That left me with a sense of peace and longing for more. That left me feeling full and understanding.

Shelby makes herself known to me every single day and I feel it. I know others may think it’s odd that I collect pennies or gemstones. That the name Jasper means a gemstone and that name came to me randomly (or maybe not). Or even… on a day when I didn’t feel like running, after a much needed rain storm in LA, the skies opened up and I saw the most beautiful rainbow which I know was a sign from Shelby. Shelby is my heart, my soul, my world. It brings me peace knowing that she is with me, by my bed, at night. It soothes my soul. And while it doesn’t make me miss her any less – what I wouldn’t do to kiss those velvet ears one more time – it allows me to live. To do more than just exist. The pain of losing Shelby is something that I will never fully recover from. I have changed. I have a tremendous wall up that is blocking a lot of ‘good’ from getting in. But I also know that I am, day by day, letting a little bit of that wall break down. And finding space in my heart for more love.

There will never be another love like the one Shelby and I had. And that is why it makes it even more special and magical. To have had the greatest love of my life  at such a young age … I will forever hold that within everything thing that I do.

Today, as always Shelby, I honor, I love, I miss and I hold you – fur-ever in my heart.

And for our ceremony, I went to our favorite place, the beach, to celebrate her life, our love and the things we both loved the most – the sand, glitter and the ocean waves crashing. It was peaceful. It was serene. It was just like I wanted and needed. To slow down, be in the moment, to enjoy and to be more dog. I love you Shelby.

My ‘shrine’ to Shelby – it was too windy to light the candles.
Glitter in the sand…
A few of her favorite things! Her tiara and some bling.
The sky during my ceremony with her.

Author: mom2shelby

Mom to 13 year old Shelby - Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. A rescue dog that was born in New Orleans. Shelby is a spirited, smart and happy little dog who loves to run, play, go to the beach (we live in LA) and ride in the car! She is my best friend and the true love of my life!

8 thoughts on “Shelby Lynne – day of the dead celebration: a new tradition”

  1. Wow, the sky is breathtaking! Some bling straight from Heaven. No, you are not odd at all. I still have my bag of pennies and dimes. I just tried to write on your post, but none of my words were showing up. I like the vision of Shelby sitting by your bed. Makes me think TY may do that also. The lady’s name was Shelby, no way”! That is crazy. And the fact that 2 different people told you exactly the same thing. Has to be from Shelby. Hugs from, Lori and TY

  2. Amazing Alison. Beautiful tribute to Shelby. I don’t find it odd at all. I know what Sassy gives me I have them in a wine glass (since I don’t drink wine). I know that JL sees Shelby and Shelby watches over you its amazing that you have had both communicators tell you the exact same thing. Reinforces what you already know and that she does want you to love again.

    Hugs
    Michelle & Angel Sassy

  3. Wow….I have goose bumps reading your posting and the last picture of the beautiful sky….Shelby was right there with you for sure!!!

    I’m so happy for you that Shelby the communicator has brought you some peace with knowing that Shelby is ALWAYS by your side. That’s amazing how you had 2 readings that are practically the same. I’ve always believed that there is a spirit world but it brings peace knowing that the spirits of our loved ones (pet or human) can walk beside us and aren’t just floating around somewhere far away.

    And wow…poor Jasper and the tragedies she must have endured in her life up until she came to you. I have no doubt that was helpful info for you in being better able to help little Jasper. It would be interesting if Shelby the communicator could give you a little more insight on Jasper during another reading. This may help you form a stronger bond with her.

    HUGS

    Sahana and her Angel Leland

  4. Alison,
    I was tearing up a lot while reading this lovely story, and like Sahana, getting major goose bumps……While I probably wouldn’t go to an animal communicator myself, I still love hearing what happens when going to one. If anything, it surely gives you a huge comfort to know that Shelby really has not left you, and even getting a bit of closure and peace…..what a beautiful idea to have this little ceremony at the beach…..And little Jasper is so lucky to have found you, she is going to have the best life ever.

    Much Love,
    Bonnie & Angel Polly

  5. We love Dia de los Muertos around here. Thanks for reminding me about it this year! Shrines, altars, gathering significant objects together for rituals and ceremonies. All are powerful ways for us humans to work through our grief. We kinda live in Little Mexico del Norte so I have easy access to all kinds of cool stuff from south of the border for my altar.
    I’m happy that your dealings with the animal communicators have brought you some peace with knowing that Shelby is OK, as well as some insight into Jasper Lily’s strange little ways 🙂

  6. Alison-
    Tears here. I cannot say anything but BEAUTIFUL! I agree that one can never love that way again, because what we had was soo special.
    Very comforting to know that Shelby Lynn is by your side. Happy tears!

  7. WOW. I could hear the Twilight Zone music start to play when I began reading this and you talked about the communicator!

    I truly don’t believe in ‘coincidences,’ everything is meant to be just as the Universe intended it. You meeting this second medium is what you needed to heal, to have your ceremony and to feel stronger even though you still miss her so much. Wow.

    Beautiful photos Allison, thank you for sharing with us.

  8. And her name was SHELBY…and her daughter’s name LILY!!!

    And the communication pretty much switched from Jasler Lily to Shelby?

    And she validated so much of what the first communicator conveyed from Shelby?

    And she said Shelby visits you at night at “pets” you?

    And that was the sky that surrounded you during the communication?

    And you have the capacity to love again? And Shelby does not see that as disloyal at all? She’s very confident of her position as the greatest love of your life!

    And it’s okay to let Jasper Lily in…to love her…she needs to feel your love…and that’s okay with Shelby!

    WOW!!!!!!! WOW!!!!!!!!!! WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!! WOW!!!!!!!!!!! WOW!!!!!!!

    OOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMDDDDDDDDDDD!!!! Spot on Alison…spot on!!!!

    I LOVE this!!! No, it doesn’t mean you miss her less, but it brings you such awareness on so many levels and, most importantly, it validates that Shelby is DEFINITELY still with you in her Spirit state….her all knowing Spirit state!

    I LOVE that the communicator said Shelby visits you while you are sleeping! And THAT is why Jasper Lily “sees things” and gives her little growl!

    Your pictures are beautiful Alison. Shelby is so proud of of “Shrine”. The sparkling glittery sand…yeah…nice touch Shelby!

    I love you Alison…..we all love you! Thanks so much for this blog!! So enlightening!

    Sally and Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle too!

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