The Power of Nightmares

I know, I know, there's nothing more boring than hearing other people recount their dreams. But what I want to know is, am I the only one who can have their day ruined by a particularly nasty one or does it happen to us all?

Right now, I can't stop crying and the nightmare I woke up from this morning is as vivid in my mind as if I had watched it in real life. I was a guest in a big, posh house and I had brought Flad and a fluffy ginger kitten with me. Maybe I was 'on the run' - if you snatched a glance at yesterday's post before I deleted it, you'll know why. It was agreed that while I was there, my hosts wouldn't allow dogs into the house.

Maybe I should stop at this point, as I'm sure you can guess what's coming next... But maybe, if I get it down on the page, the power of the dream will diminish and I shall start to feel better. 'A trouble shared', etc.

In a nutshell, a couple arrived with an Alsatian dog which was used to being allowed in the house. He was a nice dog, the sort with a lolling tongue and a big grin. Before anyone could say that dogs were temporarily banned, the couple had let him off the lead and he dashed into the house, tail wagging, seized what he no doubt thought was a cute dog toy rather than a sleeping kitten, and the next thing I knew, he had dragged it down the steps and presented it like a tribute at the feet of his owners.

I ran to the kitten, snatched it from under his great paw, hoping it was only dazed. But the dog had seized it by the head and one of his fangs had pierced one of the kitten's emerald green eyes and, as I watched, it took its last breath and the life and light went out of the little cat and I watched its fluffy pink pads relax and uncurl and it lay on its back with its fluffy tummy upwards, completely dead. Now, I can't stop crying and I feel as if I am crying for all the innocent creatures - children as well as animals - that have ever been unfairly and cruelly slaughtered.

Perhaps dreams can be catalysts for the emotions. Maybe I needed to have a good cry so the dream gave me a reason. Or perhaps I am just an over-sentimental fool. And now I've ruined your Sunday, too! I'd be interested to know what dreams have haunted you...