Less than a week after her golden retriever died, University of Maryland professor Jen Golbeck saw the dog curled up in its bed in the living room. When she looked again, it was gone. She does not believe in ghosts, but after collecting 544 owners' stories, she found most such experiences were peaceful and comforting.
Maryland Today (University of Maryland)Will they come back to visit me?
What people do around the world
Some see dreams, butterflies or rainbows as signs from them
from 544 owner reports in a study
Maryland Today (University of Maryland)Day seven: a belief that the dead come home to see family
a funeral custom for people; a folk belief
風傳媒「My old dog is gone, but I believe she's still here watching over our family.」
Oct 2026Original post・Substack
Some owners wait for their pet to come home on day seven
a public figure did this for her cat in 2026
鏡週刊（轉載三立新聞網）Set out food, water and toys on day seven
some owners follow the human custom
Sixth Tone「Our dog died two months ago. The other morning I heard his collar jingle and felt he'd come to visit.」
Oct 2026Original post・Bluesky
Rites every seven days, up to day 49
from the Buddhist idea of an in-between state
風傳媒Some Buddhist scholars say memorial rites help pets reach paradise
e.g. day-7 and day-49 rites; views differ
nippon.com「On the monthly anniversary of my dog's passing, I felt that morning as if they were sleeping by my pillow like before.」
Oct 2026Original post・Ameba
Set up an altar on Oct 27 to welcome them home
a folk custom before Day of the Dead; not official
Por Esto!Updated 29 Oct 2026.