Tank, Mary Beth Nelson's pug guided to her by her deceased aunt.
I grew up with Boston terriers and I absolutely love the breed, as did my mom, Catherine Lee, and my aunt, Mary Simmons, who was like a second mom to me. I have fond childhood memories of Pug, my first Boston, as well as Princess who helped me grow to adulthood. Princess passed away in 1989 at the age of 15 at my mother’s home. By this time I was married but my husband and I had a third floor apartment and Princess loved her yard at the house so we would just visit.
On December 22, 1991, my mother passed away. I had a vivid dream where she talked to me and said she had to go on because there was still a lot of work to do. The living experience intense sorrow because our loved ones, whether in human or animal form, aren’t physically in front of us to hold a conversation, to hug or to pet. However, I know they are with us in spirit form and able to communicate in a different way.
Mary Beth Nelson with Rhiannon
My husband and I moved in 1992 and I wanted to get a dog. One night while I was drifting off to sleep I clearly saw my mom showing me the profile of a female Boston terrier (don’t ask me how I knew it was a girl) with a white mask. I told my husband that I just saw our dog but she had unusual coloring, and that my mom was going to help me find her. He was used to my paranormal experiences by this time.
Within a few weeks, I found a white masked female puppy whom I appropriately named Rhiannon.We enjoyed many years with Rhiannon and on December 22, 2003 she succumbed to Cushing’s disease.
My mother and Rhiannon both passed on the same date and it was a strange confirmation that Mom was going to greet her. This was an especially devastating time for me because my aunt had just passed away on December 1, 2003.
The next month, by a series of bizarre events, I was guided to an adorable male Boston terrier who already had the name Tank. Of course, he became a part of the family. My aunt and I used to joke that I needed a tank to drive for safety because I’d been hit five times in my vehicle. My immediate thought was that my aunt was providing the gift of a tank, but not one you drive.
I know in my heart that my mother and my aunt are watching out for me and graced me with the gift of these two animals. This proves to me that love is eternal.— Mary Beth Nelson, St. Louis,Mo.
