There's no pain quite like the kind that comes from losing a beloved pet. They're always there, always loving, and always pure of heart. So when they pass away, it's a truly difficult time.
Catie Callaghan went through that pain recently. The Illinois teen and her family had rescued Bandit, and they were his fourth home. "We always talked about how we never gave up on him," she says.
Bandit was beloved by the entire family, but had an especially strong bond with Callaghan's dad.
But he was also quite elderly and had a number of health problems. The Callaghans did their best to manage his ailments, and throughout his life, Bandit underwent many surgeries.
Sadly, at the end of his last procedure, Bandit passed away.
Naturally, the family was heartbroken, and Bandit's passing left a hole that seemed like it would never heal. Dealing with the passing of beloved pets is never easy, and it's something people have struggled with for thousands of years.
But then, Catie Callaghan saw something that made everything right.
[H/T: BuzzFeed]
Bandit was the beloved family dog of the Callaghans. He was loved by all, and had an especially close relationship with Catie Callaghan's father.
Bandit lived a storied life, and had been in three other homes before settling down with the Callaghans.
He also had a number of health issues, which became exacerbated with age.
The family, though, took care of him and never gave up on him. He ended up having many surgeries and procedures in his 15-year life.
But he never seemed to let it get him down, and was always up for exploring the outdoors, even while wearing a Cone of Shame.
And no matter what, he was always down for some love and affection.
So when Bandit passed away after a medical procedure, the family was devastated.
Just two days after Bandit's passing, though, Callaghan's mother noticed something that made her stop in her tracks.
It was Bandit's water bowl.
The grieving family hadn't yet packed it away, and the water remaining inside seemed to form a smiling face.
Coincidence and the natural settling of water, or something else?
Catie Callaghan took it as a sign, and tweeted the photo.
"So my 15-year-old dog passed away two days ago," she wrote. "My mom found his bowl like this tonight. Doggie heaven does exist. Love you Bandit."
Her message took Twitter by storm, with other users weighing in, offering their condolences and expressing their feelings.
And there were plenty of feelings.
A lot of people responded with images of crying faces (their own or other people's) to express all the emotions a simple water dish stirred up in them.
One person even chimed in with a similar story of her own:
"Early 2015; cried on the drive to work because I missed my dog. Looked down and saw this."
It seems like "doggie heaven" might just be trying to tell us something.
Do you believe in doggie heaven? Have you ever received a message from the beyond?
Let us know, and SHARE this touching story!
