Reported Problems
The main reason for the visit request was that the pet dog had suddenly become very uneasy and unsettled. The dog had fouled one of the bedrooms even though up until this he had been very well behaved and was fully house trained.
The owner stated that the dog was reluctant to go out into the garden at the back of the house and seemed very restless.
The owner was convinced that a previous owner's spirit was in the house and she herself felt uneasy about this. She found it difficult to sleep through the night and often thought she heard strange noises when she was there on her own.
Investigation
I sat and talked to the house owner to find out exactly what was going on and how she felt about it. The dog was wandering around the kitchen as we spoke and seemed perfectly relaxed. After a cup of coffee (very important on an investigation!) I walked around the downstairs section of the house and went out into the backyard.
The dog followed me out but didn't stay outside for very long. There was a dog barking from the garden next door and I wondered if this was the reason the client's dog did not want to stay out the back on his own. Perhaps he just wanted company but knew he couldn't escape from the backyard.
I took a voice recorder and went upstairs to the bedroom where the old lady's spirit is thought to be. I spent 15 minutes calling out and asking if anyone wanted to make contact.
During this time I felt something rubbing against my leg and immediately made a note to find out if the previous owner had had a cat.
I encouraged the dog to come into the room and have a good look around. He crawled under the bed and after having sniffed everything, he left and went back downstairs.
The whole time I was in the room I was aware of a nice, calm feeling. After about 10 minutes I felt a warmth come over me and I noted this out loud for the benefit of the voice recorder.
Before I left, I reassured the client that there was a lovely feeling in the house. I told her that if there was any spirit or energy in the house it was clearly okay with her being there.
Data Analysis & Research
On my return home I replayed the 15 minutes voice recording. I was not expecting to hear anything. At the 12th minute of the recording I call out "If there is anyone here in this room, can you tell me your name please?". There is a slight pause and then a voice answers "Nora".
On questioning the client and her family I was unable to find out who "Nora" might have been.
I asked the client's sister if there had ever been a cat living in the house in the past. She said that the lady who's energy they presumed was there, had always had a cat which used to sleep in the bedroom where I had been.
Conclusion
I did not do enough of an investigation to be able say whether or not there is a presence in the house. From a purely physical viewpoint, I felt there was an old lady and a cat but scientifically, I have no proof so must conclude that I will have to keep an open mind.
After Effects
I met the client socially a few weeks later and she told me that the dog had settled down that night and she herself was no longer listening for creaks or odd noises at night and that she was now sleeping undisturbed.
