A Ghost in the House

During my time at the Kroon homestead in Ontario, Canada there was a Ghost in the house.

I could hear her light footsteps across the wooden floors at night while I faded in and out of sleep. During the day I would get a glimpse of something white running in and around the trees.

While we gathered around the table at meals, I could feel something touching my knee and hear a whimper in the air.

One day, I went outside and the Ghost walked in front of me and gazed deeply into my eyes. I asked it to show me what she wanted to around the property and she turned around and guided me. I followed her footsteps, in and out of trees, around Jon-Erik's (Carsten's older brother) natural art sculptures and his pottery kiln. I was lead down to the pond where a swing hangs on a thick tree branch. Then lead to an old cabin that was built for Carsten to stay in when he got older. On and on we walked as she introduced me to the land where she roams.

Meet Ghost. Jon-Erik's companion, his dog, his best friend:


Ghost, Canon Digital Rebel, XT

Jon-Erik and his father went to a place one day long ago where people throw out their garbage (what we used to call a dump growing up). They were rummaging through this garbage to find unique objects to use for art. Suddenly, a white little puppy came running up to Jon-Erik with it's tongue hanging out and its tail wagging wildly with glee. They immediately noticed something alarming. The puppy was covered in blood and the bottom part of her jaw was loose and hanging from her mouth which was covered in maggots. It was clear that she had been shot. Someone wanted her dead and perhaps thought the job was done but she didn't die. She survived and was very much alive despite her trauma. She was jumping and giddy as if everything was perfectly normal. So, Jon-Erik took her to the local vet where she had surgery and was fixed up as much as possible, leaving half of her bottom jaw bone gone (hence no place for her tongue to hide and the reason why it is always dangling outside of her mouth).

To the Vet and the town, Ghost was an instant hero. An article was written about her in the local newspaper. She even won an award for outstanding bravery. She was put up in a nice hotel and was honored at a ceremony, along with a few other outstanding animals. One was a cat that had saved a woman from a burning house.

Following the ceremony, Jon-Erik took her home as his own and now she is grown and the sweetest dog I have ever met.


Jon-Erik Kroon & Ghost, Canon Digital Rebel, XT

Perhaps because she went through so much with her previous owner, she is so grateful for any type of love and attention that is given to her. We showered her with love and kisses and food and snuggles.

I often worried about her tongue getting so dry constantly outside of her mouth but then remembered, she has been like this all of her life and it was all she knew. I felt relieved when I would see her drinking water out of a bowl, moistening her parched tongue.

At times I would forget that she wasn't a human. I knew she understood me when I spoke to her...especially on our walk together while she guided me through the woods.

On our last night, she hopped up on our bed and cuddled beside Carsten. Jon-Erik told us the next morning that she has never done this before, she has only slept with him. It was her way of saying goodbye. How did she know we were leaving? I was fortunate enough to spoon her in the morning. ;)


Ghostie & Boho resting, Canon Digital Rebel, XT

My next few posts will be about the art sculptures Ghost and I found during our walk.

She is a very special being. An angel...a Ghost.