Woman broke down when a stranger approached her with a sketch of her recently deceased dog — what she spotted next felt like a sign from him
Losing a pet can leave an emptiness that even the smallest reminders can bring back. A familiar walking route, an old photograph, or a favorite toy can suddenly bring back memories of the time spent together. For one woman, an ordinary appointment took an unexpected turn when a stranger approached her with something connected to her late dog. Author Isabel Klee, who shares videos on TikTok as @simonsits, posted about the emotional experience on October 13, 2026, describing a series of events that left her feeling close to her beloved pet again.
@simonsits Hi buddy 🤍
♬ original sound - xavier
Isabel was waiting for a facial when a woman named Nicole approached her and explained that she had painted a portrait of Simon, Isabel's dog who had recently passed away. Nicole then handed her the artwork, leaving Isabel stunned that a stranger had created such a thoughtful gift. She was especially surprised that Nicole happened to carry the portrait with her and that they crossed paths at that exact moment. A business card was attached to the back of the painting. "That is like the craziest thing," the author said, expressing gratitude for these unexpected reminders of Simon. The surprises continued as Isabel headed home. Along the way, she spotted a swan near the lake where she used to take Simon swimming, later checking that the birds are known for symbolizing connection to the spiritual world.
She had not seen swans in Brooklyn before, so the sight caught her attention. Curious about its meaning, she looked up swan symbolism and learned about their connection to shape-shifting in Irish traditions. For someone grieving a pet, small reminders can bring comfort and help keep treasured memories alive. The sighting felt especially meaningful because it happened on the same day she had received Simon's portrait from a complete stranger. When Isabel arrived home, another unexpected moment followed. She received a notification about a dog named Swan who needed a foster home.
The coincidence felt deeply personal, especially after the portrait and the swan sighting earlier that day. Isabel wondered whether these moments were Simon's way of reminding her that he was doing well and encouraging her to continue fostering animals and helping dogs in need. The events left her emotional as she tried to make sense of everything that had happened. She ended her video by saying, "I am gonna go cry now." For Isabel, the day brought a series of comforting reminders that helped her feel connected to Simon while strengthening her desire to keep caring for other animals.
Losing a beloved pet can be heartbreaking, making even the smallest connection feel meaningful. In another incident, a woman's engagement brought both happiness and sadness after her family dog passed away just days before the proposal. Her mother later shared a touching photo of the engagement ring beside the dog, which felt like one last gift from him. The woman found comfort in the memory, believing her beloved pet would have wanted her to be happy. She described the engagement as bringing "immense grief" alongside joy.
For more heartwarming pet stories, follow @simonsits on her TikTok account.