Tips on Dreaming of the Departed

Dream TravelsPathways of Connection

Jan 14

Written By Janine Cammarata

Dog with his soccer ball on grass — Dakota with his toys

Sunday, January 12, 2025

Dakota Visits

“Dakota, do you want to go out?”

Dakota, my big black mixed rescue dog wags his tail in anticipation. I open the sliding door of my house at Cambridge Avenue. Dakota jumps over the second-story railing of my deck and lands without a hitch. He sprints into the woods.

I run down the steps and call, “Dakota! Come back!”

His long, strong legs support him as he runs in circles and races into the neighbor’s backyard. Uh Oh!. The little boy who lives there gets nervous. As loving and kind as Dakota is, he doesn’t have full control over his 100-pound body. I rush to the little boy’s side. He holds a styrofoam bowl of taco meat with lettuce, tomato, and cheese.

Dakota really wants that food.

Then my son who is about the same age as this boy takes the bowl. I gently give it back to the boy and am distracted by Dakota who now gallops toward the road.

I run, needing to get to him before he reaches the blind spot on the hill. I grab his backend. He stops and gives into my rigorous rubs.

“Such an active dog you are!”

Feeling: Joy. Gratitude

Reality: Dakota never lived in our old house on Cambridge Avenue, but I often dream of my children in that location and our first dog, Brutus, a purebred Black Labrador Retriever. The porch was on the second story but the stairs actually went down the left side instead of the right. Our woods weren’t as open as they were in my dream and a little boy didn’t live next door.

Despite these indications that this experience is a dream, Dakota is as alive in it as he was when physically here on earth.

On January 11, I dreamt that Dakota and Zoey (my Black and Lab and Akita mix) were in the house with both my boys. They say hi to Nick (13) in the dream, who is as real as he was when he was on earth. Then Dakota runs to see Stephen (11) who is asleep in bed. Stephen wakes and sees Dakota. I tell him all’s good. He falls back asleep.

Curiosity: Why do these dreams feel so magical, timely, and joyous?

Today is the 2-year anniversary of Dakota’s passing.

Dakota came into our lives two years after Zoey. For her magical adoption story, read here.

We felt Zoey needed company and searched for another rescue dog. We found Dakota, who was just 12 weeks old. His black fur was covered in white dots of dandruff, and you could see his ribs.

Dakota had been thrown into a dumpster in Tennessee. Someone didn’t care enough and threw him out like trash.

Dakota Kenny came into our lives for a reason. He filled our home with much needed energy and laughter. Zoey loved him just as much as we did. When we brought Dakota home, he’d eat his food so fast, he’d throw up. It took a long time for him to realize that he was safe.

Whenever there were fireworks or a loud bang, Dakota would fart and tuck his tail between his legs. He’d shake and hide during thunderstorms. They say that dogs forget, but Dakota never forgot the harshness of his puppy beginnings. He almost didn’t have a chance to live an incredible 12 years.

Dakota had extremely long legs and a broad body. Our trainer thought he was a mix of German Shepherd, Black Lab, and goofiness. He was so playful, loving to chase tennis balls for hours. He’d only stop because his legs wouldn’t carry him any longer.

His biggest joy was antagonizing Zoey, chasing her around the backyard, nipping at her hind legs. When she had enough, she’d snap at him. Dakota got the message and would find someone else to bug.

I miss having my dogs, walking them every day, watching them curiously sniff here, then there, then back over here, again and again and again. Sometimes we’d barely get anywhere because they were like sniffing ping pongs.

Snuggling with them, having them curl up together under my desk, and follow me around the house felt so right.

So when I dream of my dogs, it’s like getting a ride to Doggy Heaven for a visit.

Dakota’s passing was very rough and heartbreaking. He knows how much these visits mean. So to have them leading up to this day warms my heart. Getting to pet him, chase after him, and see his goofy tongue lolling out of his mouth makes me smile.

Dreams connect us to those we love. I’m grateful for these dream portals and appreciate that my loving dog dropped in to show us how much he loves us.

Dream portals to our departed are opportunities for our loved ones to let us know that they’re alright. Sometimes we get to see what they’re up to and what places they have traveled. They can guide us or just say hello.

Here are tips to dream of your departed:

Using your dream journal, write an intention to the person or pet that you wish would visit.

Think of it as if you’re sending an invitation. You can even go so far as to create one.

Wear an item of their clothing or jewelry or that they gave you.

Physical items hold the energy of that person. The memory that the gift evokes is a powerful connection.
If you wish to dream of your pet, you can put a favorite toy by your bedside or snuggle with it.