Can Animals Return as Ghosts?

“If having a soul means being able to feel love and loyalty and gratitude, then animals are better off than a lot of humans. You’ve nothing to worry about there.”

Alf Wright
aka
James Herriot

The above quote is a response given by the late British author, and veterinarian James Herriot, when he addressed the question of whether or not animals have souls, and could experience an afterlife.

His response was received with appreciation from people all over the world. Herriot was one of the first well-known animal lovers to address this topic.

If you believe the above, then the possibility exists that some animals do indeed return in ghostly form.

A popular post on this blog is about “Ghost Cats” and the intriguing video my group caught of a “possible” ghost cat. I received many positive responses to this post through email and in person.

This topic is close to many people’s hearts.

Numerous witnesses over the years have seen what they feel are deceased pets come back to visit.

A good book about this topic is Ghostly Animals of America written by Patricia Edwards Clyne.

Many people have seen the ghosts of animals over the years--not all of them former pets. The following story is an unusual one.

There is a busy intersection in Cook County in a suburb of Chicago. Until recently, this intersection did not have a traffic light. The speed limit in the area is 45 mph, but cars often drive through this intersection going 50 mph plus.

Drivers especially at night, have trouble seeing this intersection because there is a rise, which blocks their view until they actually cross it.

A riding stable is located near this intersection. This stable has extensive wooded riding paths, and one of these paths crosses this intersection.

Unfortunately, because of this dangerous intersection, more than one rider has been injured or killed at dusk or at night, when a car has hit them while they crossed this road. Several horses have been killed in these accidents, as well.

Drivers along this road have reported seeing a strange phenomenon. They see what appears to be a “smoke grey silhouette of a horse and rider.” Neither figure has distinguishable features. They are most often seen right in the middle of the road.

This strange duo is seen at night, crossing the intersection. Some have reported that they saw this horse and rider appear in front of their cars suddenly, but as they slowed down, this “silhouette” just faded away.

Other grisly reports state that drivers have actually seen one of these accidents, reenacted in this intersection. These accounts include witnesses seeing a rider being thrown from their saddle, and then just disappear. Others state they actually saw a fallen horse dragged by a car until it came to a complete stop.