The other day, after putting up a pet memorial shelf for my cat Squiggles, I received the most powerful sign from her yet.
I’m a bit embarrassed to admit that it has taken me almost 2 years to take the time to organize her belongings and set up a final resting place. But as you know, grief has no timeline. You have to listen to yourself when it comes to matters of the heart like this. And I hope this story encourages you to do just that.
(Part of the reason it took me so long is because I spent the past 2 years creating a book about her, called It’s All The Same Forest. Learn more and support this book project here).
Right after Squiggles died, I could barely think straight, let alone clean up her stuff. Over the next few months, I slowly gathered her things (her cat bed, her remains, her collar, little bits and bobs of hers that I’ve collected over the years) and kept them in a designated area on my couch where she loved to nap.
A few months later, I brought everything into my bedroom, to rest on my dresser.
But lately I have been feeling the urge to create something more intentional, just for her. Maybe it was because my other cats kept knocking her things over… but now I think it was something more. A gentle push from Squiggles herself.
How Squiggles Picked Out Her Own Pet Memorial Shelf
One afternoon, I was at a friend’s house and noticed she had this small, beautiful, very aesthetic-looking shelf. She told me she got it from Urban Outfitters, so I searched their site, typed in “shelf”… and guess what popped up?
A Squiggle shelf.
Yes, literally. A shelf not just shaped like a Squiggle, but called “Squiggle Book Tower Shelf.”
Whenever I see the word Squiggle, Squiggly, Squiggle-wiggle, etc. I always see it as a little message that she’s near.
And of course, this time it really felt like a sign from Squiggles herself. There was no second-guessing. No deliberating on cost. I had to buy it.
That weekend, I installed the shelf with help from my husband and our other cats watching curiously. I placed Squiggles’ photo, her ashes, and a few small items that reminded me of her.
It felt good. Complete. And then something even more magical happened.
And Then – Her Stamp of Approval
The very next day, after hosting a peer support session with members in my Furever Forest pet loss community, I walked into my bedroom and saw this:
The sunlight was shining perfectly on Squiggles’ photo and box of her remains on the memorial shelf.
I used to call Squiggles my “Squitten-in-the-Sun” because she loved to nap in warm sunlight. It was her favorite thing. And my favorite nickname for her. I probably called her a Squitten-in-the-Sun more than I called her Squiggles.
To see her memorial bathed in that golden light, the day after I installed it, at that exact moment after our pet loss session, felt like her way of saying:
“I’m still by your side. I see how much you still love me. I still love you. Thank you.”
It was such a powerful moment. One that is still hard for me to believe. One that I had to share.
So what do you think – was finding the Squiggle shelf and then seeing the sunshine on it a sign from Squiggles? Have you ever received a sign from your pet? If so, please share it below.
Related Categories: Pet Loss Support
