How I Became a Believer That the Dead Can Speak to Us

A memoir of transcendent love and an unbreakable bond

Before this happened, there was no doubt that I was a cynic and would attribute any stories of this ilk as simply coincidence. Anytime I heard someone say that they were sent messages or signs from a deceased loved one, I’d chalk that up as crazy talk.

But, then it happened to me. Three times in a month. This is where an orange Lilly, Starkist Tuna can, and a piece of shrimp changed my life forever.

Biscuit was my first dog. I got her as a puppy in early 2006 right before I had turned 24. She was a rat terrier mix with brindle markings. Everyone would ask me if she was part Catahoula. I had no idea. All I knew was that she was the best thing in my life and was the epitome of unconditional love.

She was funny, outgoing, loved people, loved walks, loved swimming, and loved her toys — particularly her “green guy.” It was a green dragon that she fell in love with as a puppy and begged me to throw it to her almost daily. She also developed a love for Starkist tuna and shrimp. I could have never imagined the impact they’d have on my life.

Fresh out of college and early in my career, I wasn’t making a ton of money so I would buy cans of Starkist tuna to make sandwiches for myself. Biscuit loved the tuna juice from the cans and developed a liking for all seafood. Once I was able to advance in my career, the tuna was traded for shrimp. Win for me and a big win for Biscuit!

She lived a happy and healthy life until 2017. By then I was married, and she was no longer the only lady in my life. My wife and I noticed that she was laboring in her breathing while lying down. We wanted to get it checked out, so I made a vet appointment for her at the Denton Animal Hospital. After an array of chest X-rays, blood work, and other tests, the vet dropped the devastating news that no dog owner wants to hear.

“Biscuit has congestive heart failure and an enlarged heart. We can treat it with medicine, but there is not cure for it. Depending on how she takes to the medicine, you can expect her to live 6–12 months.”

She was prescribed three different medications to take each day in an effort to slow down the progression, but time was not in our favor. Little did this vet know, that Biscuit was a fighter. If she had a middle finger, she’d gladly give it to that vet for doubting her. She had the will to live. She loved life. This heart stuff wasn’t going to stop her.

She took to the medicine extremely well. In fact, once she started taking the pills, especially her water pills, she was more active and energetic than before.

Fast forward a few years, and we celebrated Biscuit’s 16th birthday on December 19th, 2021. What an incredible feat to celebrate. This was 4 and a half years after her initial diagnosis, and 3 and a half years after the vet predicted she’d be dead. On such a momentous occasion, what better way to celebrate than with…you guessed it….SHRIMP!!! And party we did.

As happy as we were that Biscuit made it to her 16th birthday, her health was starting to decline. She was spitting up the pills each day and her coughing bouts became longer. You could hear the fluid in her lungs as she tried to catch her breath. She didn’t want to eat as much. She spent more time sleeping than playing.

We could feel the end was near. I remember walking each morning and asking God to take her when He was ready. My worst nightmare was having to make the decision to put her down. I didn’t want her to suffer at all, but selfishly, I wanted her to go naturally. It was going to hurt like hell either way, but somehow I convinced myself it would be easier if it was natural.

The first really scary moment happened in April 2022. She tried to stand up, and I noticed her stumbling around the room. She was disoriented and had wild eyes. She was scared that her body was failing and looking to me to help. Luckily, I was able to calm her down. I held her and told her that everything was okay. Not knowing what else to do, I went to my go-to for the past 16 years and fed her some Starkist Tuna.

Unfortunately, all things come to an end. Biscuit passed away on June 5th, 2022 at the age of 16 and a half. She beat the odds and enjoyed an incredible life. The impact she left on me and my wife is beyond words.

On the morning of June 6th, 2022, the day after Biscuit passed, I left the house for my morning walk at 6:45 a.m. and saw the first sign from Biscuit. She sent me a message that she just landed. It was a single bright orange Lilly bloom that had opened that morning. The rest of the blooms remained closed.

Orange is my favorite color. Lilies are my wife’s favorite flower.

It was easy for me to chalk that up as a coincidence, but in true Biscuit fashion, she was persistent and would not let me question whether it was her or not. She was determined to let me know that she was okay, and more importantly, she wanted to make sure I was okay.

It was the very next day, June 7th, 2022, when Biscuit decided to visit again. It was almost an identical situation. I went for my morning walk. The same walk that I’ve taken every morning for the past 3 years. It was 6:57 a.m., and there was a light rain. About a mile from my house, as I was walking up Reamer Avenue, I looked over to the side of the road and saw an opened, empty Starkist tuna can. Nothing else besides it. It wasn’t trash day. Just an empty can of Starkist tuna in my daily path for me to see.

I couldn’t help but instantly break down in tears. For as sad and melancholy as I was, this stupid can of tuna lifted my spirits. This stupid can of tuna gave me peace. This stupid can of tuna made me laugh and cry at the same time. This stupid can of tuna was a gift from Biscuit. Tears flowed down my cheeks, I looked up and told her I loved her.

If two visits weren’t convincing enough, Biscuit had to save the best for last. If anything, she was consistent. The third visit also came to me while I was on my morning walk.

On July 1st, 2022, I was halfway into my morning walk. As I turned the corner and headed towards Center Ave, I noticed a single piece of shrimp in the center of the sidewalk. Are you kidding me? How many dogs, squirrels, chipmunks, mice, and birds went past that piece of shrimp that morning? How long was it there? How did it get there?

Of course Biscuit would pick a random piece of shrimp to be perfectly placed on a side street over a mile from my house on the same walking path I took every day. She chose shrimp. She made me a believer. She loved me. I loved her. Soul braided forever.

I never imagined that an orange Lilly, a Starkist tuna can, or a piece of shrimp could impact my life so much. Biscuit showed me that even though she was gone in the flesh, she is still very much here. All of our passed loved ones are here. She taught me that love transcends everything. There isn’t a dimension that love can’t break through. Thank you, Biscuit.

It’s been over a year now since she passed, and I miss her every day. I know that we will meet again. Until then, I remain full of gratitude for our time together. I love her even more for these three everlasting gifts and for letting me know that she landed safely.