My former long-haired Chihuahua, Pepito, and I went through many changes after the sudden shock of his death on August 30, 2024. I kept in touch with him as he traveled in the spiritual realm, assimilating high angelic energies and appearing to me in various ways.

After a week, he settled in my heart chakra, sharing his awareness of his transition and spiritual mission. We communicated our states of being, shared memories, and what he planned to do next.

Waves of pain and sadness sometimes assailed me in the night as memories of his sudden death resurfaced. Most of the time, I felt light with a sense of unfolding that was poignant, full of mystery and other-dimensional reality.

Pepito

We tracked this new energy together and increased our understanding of the bigger picture and the purpose of his abrupt departure. I felt cracked open to a great compassion. Pepito and I enjoyed wide-open-space love together.

I felt a longing to have a little dog in my life. Belinda, my dog before Pepito, thought she might return to care for me again. I was about to take a teaching trip, so it was not the right time to adopt. I also was not ready yet emotionally. Looking at rescue websites was disheartening. My efforts were not coming from guidance but more from sadness and loss. I needed to sift through further feelings and realizations surrounding Pepito’s death.

I also had to consider the feelings of the cat members of the family. Lila and Jerry loved Pepito and Belinda, and they would welcome having a dog again. Ziggy did not like dogs, was jealous of Pepito, and did not want another dog. He tried to convince me that he could be my little doggie cat. He curled up in Pepito’s former beds like he had never done before. He did not like me thinking about getting a dog. Lila advised me to ignore Ziggy’s fears and follow my love, and Ziggy would get over it when I got a dog. She was right. I could not forget my desire and only consider his. I assured Ziggy that he would continue to have his special times with me. We would work it out.

After a few false starts looking at rescue dogs, I got an email about a dog named Lyric, rescued by Love Connection Dog Rescue from a hoarding situation with fifteen other dogs when her puppies were 3 days old. She was a sweet and wise Chihuahua dachshund mix. I felt Belinda making her presence known through Lyric.

Belinda

Then Pepito said he would like to start fresh with me as a puppy without a history of trauma like he had before. He had a connection with one of Lyric's puppies. The situation was very malleable at this stage. It was daunting to think about raising a puppy.

When Pepito was with me as my dog companion, Belinda smiled upon us in spirit. They felt united in their love, sweetness, and wisdom. I was open to possibilities with these dear soul friends.

I filled out the application with the rescue group. Lyric could be adopted after her pups were weaned and she was spayed. The rescue group policy was that puppies had to be 12 weeks old and neutered to be adopted.

Pepito kept after me about coming to me as a puppy and indicated Lyric’s black male pup would be the one. When I accepted that I could have two dogs, he was so happy.

The foster mom said the black pup was so sweet and cuddly! We arranged our first meeting time. It all felt so right. I was amazed and happy at the prospect of having Belinda and Pepito back together.

There was still an element of mystery. I knew I had to take each step of the process to find out the best direction.

I began to rethink having two dogs. At this time in my life, I felt one dog was best, especially on trips together or even around the house with our three cats. I also remembered how Belinda loved being a single dog after my last Afghan hound moved on. Pepito also relished being the only dog.

On November 8th, I traveled 66 miles to the rescue foster home in Gilbert, Arizona to see Lyric and her now 7-week-old pups for the first time. Before I left, Jerry (orange tabby) looked at me and asked, “Are you bringing back a little dog?”

Lyric (mom)
When I sat down next to the puppy pen, it was instant with no doubt. Looking at Lyric, I knew she wasn’t Belinda. Belinda was there as a guardian spirit helping Lyric to ensure Pepito was well taken care of. Belinda said she didn’t have to come with me in dog form now. She had lived 15 happy years with me.

It was Pepito’s path to reincarnate to continue our life together. Belinda had shone her light through Lyric’s eyes in the original adoption photo so I would be attracted. The black pup, called Presley by the rescue group, was so happy to see me. He immediately climbed into my lap, kissed my face, and cuddled. We were overjoyed at our reunion. The mystery of having one or two dogs resolved.

7 weeks old
I asked Cynthia, the foster mom if they knew the puppies’ father. I had seen images of a black dog with wiry hair. Cynthia showed me a photo of who she thought the Dad was from the rescued group. Dad had the markings of Presley and was a dapper little terrier mix.

Tito (dad)

The three pups were born on 9/20/24. Presley was the smallest. Pepito’s new body echoed his previous identity but was sturdier.

Lyric was very loving and patient with her puppies. Cynthia said she took good care of her pups and was very protective of them. I thanked Lyric for being such a good mom and told her I would take Presley home later with her permission. She said, of course, they would have to move on.

I was left in an altered state of expansion and filled with tremendous peace. Pepito’s death and rebirth cycle had been an epic journey. It was amazing and a relief to see him in his new form and feel what a fun life was ahead for us.

I tried on various names for the new Pepito. He had no preference. I thought of calling him Pito, one of his previous nicknames. Then, as I talked with a friend about choosing a name for him and tried to say Pito, it came out as Pico. That was it! Fresh and spicy like the salsa, pico de gallo.

The second time I visited Pico, he moved away from his mom, brother and sister, greeted me with kisses and wiggles, and gazed into my eyes. Though the puppies had many toys, I brought him a toy I made out of old socks and a well-wrapped squeaker, sturdily sewn with cotton string. He immediately grabbed and chewed it. His brother and sister joined him in vigorous play. Pico made it very clear to them that it was his toy from me. After wildly playing, they all flopped down to sleep. Pico pulled his sleepy body over to lay his head on his new soft toy.

I visited Pico every week. Each time he ran over and told me how happy he was. After his neutering on December 17, I would take him home on December 19.

12 weeks

It was almost the same date he came to me in his last lifetime as Pepito, when I picked him up at 7 years of age from his foster mom in San Rafael, California on December 20, 2018. This time, I only had to travel 66 miles instead of 850.

Pico received the best socialization possible in his crucial early development stage. His foster mom had two dogs, two cats, two children, and a husband. Along with Pico’s mom and litter mates, they provided relationships with important species in his life.

It is clear what a vital role Pepito/Pico plays in my life and how our soul journeys are united to support our mission to nurture love, light, and understanding in the world.