22 Comments
User's avatar
Karen Wall's avatar

That was a beautiful tribute to Socks Cally. So sorry for your loss, but she went peacefully by your side, and as you knew from your dream, the time had come. She'll be there for you in the 'next realm" I am certain of that. When my dad died, his presence was with me for 2 days, it was so strong and he spoke to me several times, until the second night I was pulled out of my sleep. I sat up bolt right and knew in a split second what was happening. My dad's presence was being pulled into the next realm and he could not hold on any longer to this world. It happened so fast and then his presence was gone. The sense of loss was tremendous but I am so grateful that he showed me that death isn't the end, and the soul is eternal, and we had our final goodbye with a 'soul hug', You are so right, the way society has been manipulated by the cult to seek self worth in materialistic achievements. It is all wrong, but you sound like you've got it sussed Cally x

Expand full comment
Cally Starforth's avatar

Thanks Karen. And thank you for sharing that about your dad and about his presence, yes absolutely the soul is forever - and I understand what you mean - the soul hug - it happened with Heavenli (my partner who killed herself aged 30), it was round two days after she died (this is in my memoir podcast or I think it is in my post called 'Synchronicity' , and I felt her arms around me from behind and it was very real, she was hugging me and I turned around and her face was (if you know like those old negative photos you used to get back with your pics from the developers) it was like that . She hugged me for several seconds, not sure exactly how long but it was very real . It was her saying goodbye ... as we hadn't had a chance to when she was alive. I could feel her lIke she was alive only she looked like a negative of a photo. Great to meet you the other day ... I trust you one hundred percent . .. as I do Mark ....

Expand full comment
Karen Wall's avatar

Thanks Cally, and I'm so glad you experienced that with Heavenli, as you say, when it happens, it is so real, and you know deep in your core it is completely real. It must have been hard to deal with losing her, but I'm sure that hug she gave you must have given you strength, and that's great how you could see her in black and white, so amazing. I'll have to read your other substack. It was great to meet u too Cally. Would have loved to have chatted to you more, and unfortunately I didn’t get the chance to chat to Mark much, which would have been great. But great to be surrounded by lovely like-minded people. X

Expand full comment
sam jones's avatar

A small, vulnerable, starving , skinny cat came into my garden about 2 years ago. He decided that indoors was best and thrived until a sudden and rapid downturn last September when I had to call the vet to end "Louie's" suffering. Now that he has gone the house feels empty; he is sorely missed but I would not have allowed him to linger for a moment longer than absolutely necessary. You have done the right thing for your much loved companion, Socks and I think that it is possible that some underlying anxiety regarding his health may have been the cause of your dream. You are clearly someone who has great empathy and awareness/ sensitivity to the world around you. It is possible to go through life completely unruffled by the dreadful events that occur but no one could ever levy this accusation against you. I marvel at your knowledge and ability and , by any measure, regard you as a success. I have yet to see the new managers of the US., do anything to impress me! Each morning, I feed the birds . The burial place of two of my beloved pets ( including Louie) is nearby ; I visit, say a few words and then get on with the day I loved them just as you loved Socks who , without a doubt, enjoyed a wonderful life with you and knew that he was loved. That is the best that any one of us can do.

Expand full comment
Cally Starforth's avatar

I know they are around Sam, Louie is with you in spirit, these animals know the humans who bond with them and really care .... yes Socks and I were joined at the hip ... but love is supposed to be about letting go .... I am going to have to do that, but knowing her spirit is always with me ...

Expand full comment
sam jones's avatar

Apologies for the wrong gender but the sentiment does not alter and I am sure that she , Socks, had a very good life with you. It will take a while but you have much to offer and some organisations are looking for foster homes for homeless pets. But I am sure that you are aware of this. "Letting go " takes time and, I think, cannot be hurried but I can now go into the garden etc., without expecting to see Louie. But I shall never forget him or how vulnerable he was.

Expand full comment
Cally Starforth's avatar

gender - Socks won't care - she has been called Basil Brush before , someone said she looked like a fox - any way we all make that mistake (especially nowadays!!!) you cared about Louie , that is what matters ...

Expand full comment
sam jones's avatar

Having the best picture that you have of Socks on display in your home might be comforting at this time and will help to consolidate good memories of her. There must be many.

Expand full comment
Cally Starforth's avatar

there are definitely ...

Expand full comment
sam jones's avatar

Yes and thank you.

Expand full comment
Nicholas Smithers's avatar

So sorry for the loss of your beloved Socks, Cally. Lost our Ozzy last year, suddenly and unexpectedly, so thankful I was with him but it was gut wrenching. Lovely for you to have connected in dream. Still a terrible loss.

Expand full comment
Cally Starforth's avatar

Oh, god, that is so hard when it is sudden and unexpected. I was so grateful that I had time to process this one, socks being very old , although it is still a massive loss .....Ozzy was amazing, I know him from his fame on your briliiant you tubes about the Scottish standing stones. RIP Ozzy. I'll tell Socks to look out for him up there ...

Expand full comment
Linnae Hamilton's avatar

Thank you for sharing your story, I too had a dog that saved my life when I was thinking about leaving this world. She is still with me and I dread when it will be time for us to part ways. Bless you for giving Socks the love and respect she deserved. You're a wonderful human.

Expand full comment
Cally Starforth's avatar

Thanks for your understanding . It helps me to know other people relate to that despair at times. Sounds like you have a fantastic best friend. What I always used to remind myself was to make the most of every moment that Socks was still physically in my presence, and my present. I know she is still with me in spirit, when I slow down and take the time to really listen. Going up on the cliff where I scattered her ashes, there were powerful signs ... and animals are so cool about the other world, it is us that struggle to accept things ... god bless you and your beautiful dog❤️

Expand full comment
des's avatar

heart wrenching an beautiful read 🐾 💫

Expand full comment
Tania 11:11's avatar

Oh Cally, reading this hurts my heart..I'm so so sorry for the loss of your precious Socks.

16 wonderful years of the truest and purest love ..lucky both of you XX

My doggie left me last August, it's painful, I know.

I do believe your dream was a premonition.

A great article and a beautiful tribute ..to Socks 🐶 ❤ X

Much Love

Tania x

Expand full comment
Catherine's avatar

Sorry for your loss. Socks has had a good life and a good death it seems.

Expand full comment
Nicholas Smithers's avatar

(that's what I wrote for Ozzy at the time)

Eppy x

Expand full comment
Nicholas Smithers's avatar

Birds chirp, whistle, sing and cackle

Undulating beat of running water constantly behind

As frosted meringue clouds stand still in a deep blue sky

The sun so bright above verdant green, which flashes

with red, yellow, blue, pink bursts of colour

Leaping through the long grass a look of pure joy

You zoom, obeying an ancient order

Geometric patterns written in your ancestral memory

Precisely, loving and free, I see you now race toward me

My wee furry friend

My wee hairy pal

Ozzy.

Expand full comment
Cally Starforth's avatar

Beautiful tribute Eppy ..... I have just found your channel again with little Ozzy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hfRxyUX6BfE

Expand full comment
Cally Starforth's avatar

Thanks for your understanding Tania, yes I remember you had a beautiful best friend too, so sorry for your loss, I have opened a chat on here for people to tribute their lost ones - if you want to put your dog's name or Pic up there please do so I will look for the link and post below. But yeh dream was a premonition coz Socks was letting me know it was time .. the other realm is all around us and they are all there ♥

Expand full comment
User's avatar
Comment deleted
Mar 23
Comment deleted
Expand full comment
Cally Starforth's avatar

Much appreciated Mark, yes dreams are fascinating and Socks was a diamond, her spirit will always be with me ...

Expand full comment