I did have a strange dream once that I believe a great uncle of mine came to talk to me in.

Late in 1988 my dog, Penny, went to the rainbow bridge. I felt real numb about it and didn't grieve her at first. I just didn't feel anything. After that I fell into a deep depression and early in 1989 I was going to a retreat in Tucson [I live in Cleveland]. I was all alone and had to find my way from the airport to the retreat site. I felt as though my life was over etc [and other common depressive thoughts]. I ended up staying in a little motel for the night. I woke up in the morning crying because of this dream: My great Uncle Joe [whom I didn't know very well] was walking toward me with my Penny on a leash. He stopped about 10 feet from me and said: 'you don't have to worry about her [Penny], I will take care of her.' With that they turned around and walked away. Well, when I woke up, that's when the grief of her loss hit me. I immediately called my mom and told her of the dream. She was quite amazed and told me that that particular uncle loved animals and rescued them most of his adult life. I never knew that. I think Penny brought him to me to tell me she was safe. Within a month or two of deep grieving, my depression began to lift!