Do you believe in reincarnation?
I’m not sure whether I do or not. Although when I’m sad or feeling sorry for myself, I have speculated if I was reincarnated, I must have been someone BAD in my other life. Like Attila the Hun or Genghis Khan.
But I digress.
My sister has a theory regarding children…..they are either old souls or new souls.
A new soul is one of those children that are into everything! Everything they see goes into their mouths, you will need locks on your cabinets, you will need to cover your electrical outlets. They will be the daredevils in sports, willing to try any and everything.
An example of a new soul is my granddaughter. If you put something down, she is right there to pick it up, you need to have your eye on her constantly or she will get into trouble.
On the other hand an old soul is just the opposite. These are the children who seem to take everything in stride. They seem to already know what life is about and how to fit in.
An example of an old soul is my niece, she never put things in her mouth and she never crawled, she went straight to walking. She likes 40’s Jazz music, and classic looks. Not much shakes her up.
I’ve expanded my sister’s theory to include animals. If I were to evaluate Sampson and Delilah based upon the old soul/new soul scale, I would have to say Sampson is an old soul and Delilah is a new soul.
Sampson is laid back, easy-going and not much shakes him up.
Delilah on the other hand is into everything! Nothing is off-limits as to what goes into her mouth. No, I do take that back, I’m eternally grateful that she has never (knock on wood) chewed a shoe, but that’s about the only thing.
It does not have to be food related either, her favorite things to rip apart are dryer sheets, plastic bags (food residue or no,) and tissues/paper towels/napkins. This doesn’t mean that she won’t chew something else, just given her choice she would prefer to choose from those objects listed above.
Which explains her Modus operandi this morning.
Do you buy into the old soul/new soul theory? If so, have you noticed any of old soul/new soul traits?
shoes says
I don’t know if I buy into it but it is fun to play around with. I would have to say that with my children as well as my dogs I have one of each. My son Cody is the old soul (we did not have to baby proof anything) and Carter is the new soul (we even considered a toilet lock with this one, a baby proofing object we had previously mocked). With the dogs Rosy is very much an old soul while Dexter, oh sweet Dexter, a very new soul is that one! 🙂
Fun post!
Jodi Stone says
I’m not sure if I buy into the whole reincarnation thing but I do definitely think there are some that ‘get it’ almost instantly and others that don’t. It would certainly be one explanation. 🙂 Isn’t it funny how you mocked it, but then turned around and had to use it? I call that bitch, Karma. 😉
Kari says
Ive always applied this theory when it comes to new things in life such as babies or puppies.
I just love applying it to new babies 🙂
Haylie is an old soul. She is content living day to day and just relaxing and go with the flow.
Fred was a new soul. He was put on this earth to keep people on their toes and to create as much chaos and laughs as possible.
me… im a new soul. always have been, we all per my mom would say.
Thank you for all the kind words lately <3
Jodi Stone says
Oh Kari, I’m just so sad for you. I about burst into tears when I read your post and wished I could be there to hug you and cry with you. 🙂
I kind of like the new/old theory. It certainly makes for easy explanation. 🙂
deb phelps says
I used to have dogs who loved the kleenex box…would take one sheet at a time and disolve it in their mouth spit it out and get another…i should have bought stock in kleenex…might have made some money instead of wasting it..LOL
Jodi Stone says
She actually holds the item (tissue, paper towel, dryer sheet, napkin) on the floor with her paw and shreds it with her mouth. She is a silly little dog. 🙂
mommysaidaswearword says
I totally buy into it for the fact that it makes sense. A good friend took one look at my daughter when I brought her home and said “she is an old soul, you wait and see.” I am leaning toward his theory, she seems to know so much, to feel so deeply, without needing a teacher. My pets for my entire life, however, were 100% brand spaking new souls. And they ate/ruined everything. My daughter is begging for a dog, and I might have to cave. Any insight on how to find the right, old soul doggy?
Jodi Stone says
I actually don’t have any ideas of how to find a dog with an old soul. I think I just got lucky with Sampson. While Delilah came housebroken in the respect that she didn’t use the house as her bathroom, she really had no other house manners.
I will tell you this, if your daughter keeps you busy a dog will as well. It is like having a child.
When my kids were young (7 I think) our family dog passed. I immediately wanted a puppy so we went out and got out little Beagle mix, Roxanne. But I was so busy with the kids that I didn’t really have time to put into her. Hubby always said she was stupid, but it wasn’t her. It was us. We got this puppy, then put no training or work into her. She had no idea how to live in our world. 🙁
Whenever anyone tells me how good my dogs are I tell them, that’s a LOT of time and money right there.
I will tell you, if you are really serious about getting a dog, then research the breeds and find one that fits your lifestyle. I think if you go to the AKC you can research any breed of dog.
Good luck and keep me posted how that goes! Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
Nicole says
My dad use to tell my sister and I that I was old soul and she was new soul. As a child I never understood. Aladdin is probably an old soul, not very often you can take a stray in and he just grabs you’re way of life.
I like the old/new soul way of thinking. I feel sometimes, old souls have to be here to help the new souls move through life more gracefully. I’ve noticed that an old soul person (dog) is usually accompanied with a new soul dog (person). It’s just a way to balance life out I Think! ^_^
Jodi Stone says
I think THAT is spot on Nicole!! An old soul here to guide a new soul. You my dear are absolutely brilliant!!
Kristine says
My grandmother used to talk about this a lot. I, apparently, am an old soul according to her theory. She never said it like a compliment. Since Shiva and Delilah have much too much in common, I guess that makes her new as well. Hopefully this means my next dog will be old?
PS. Not that it looks at all dirty, but I wanted to recognize your bravery in having a light-coloured rug with two labs. You are a far more ambitious cleaner than I! Our living room rug is gray, to match a certain someone’s fur. 😛
Jodi Stone says
Oh it looks dirty Kristine! LOL that was the color of the rug when we bought the house. Who puts a white rug in a bedroom? But the dogs are really doing a number on it, what with their ‘swimming’ and muddy feet so we are just letting it go and will replace it once they’ve completely destroyed it. 🙂 If I use your example, my next rug should be brown and tan. 😉
Nicole had a really nice comment about the old souls here to help guide the new souls. Of course I can’t speak for your grandmother but the only drawback I can see to being an old soul is they tend to be more relaxed and less likely to ‘let loose.’
I imagine Shiva is a new soul too, if your next dog is an ‘old soul’ you will see such a difference. I am at some point going to get videos up, showing the real difference between my two dogs. 🙂
raisingdaisy says
Interesting theory! We’ve always said that Daisy’s an old soul because of the depth of understanding in her eyes, the way she carefully studies people and things she doesn’t know, and the way we can watch her figure things out and respond accordingly. Her eyes have more of a human quality to them and sharpen or soften according to each situation. It’s an interesting concept! 🙂
Jodi Stone says
You know sometimes I could swear that Sampson is trying to tell me something with his eyes. He is much like your Daisy, watching and observing then making his decision. :-0
Frankie Furter and Ernie says
I think you are onto somethingy.. I (Frankie Furter) must be an OLD soul and Ernie is a NEW one.
Jodi Stone says
Well you are pretty wise there Frankie so it wouldn’t surprise me in the least. But do keep in mind that Ernie is still just a young lad. 🙂
Kirsten says
I dunno if I buy into it, though it sure would explain a lot of otherwise inexplicable personality differences between dogs with similar backgrounds!
Jodi Stone says
It certainly would. And the theory is easy and doesn’t require depth of thought! LOL
one person's view says
Are there any middle-aged souls? And what do they look like?
Donna and the Dogs says
LOL! Good point!
Jodi Stone says
They are the fat, gray-haired ones. 🙂
snoopys@snoopysdogblog says
Great theory – I think I confuse my Mum though, cos when I’m left alone on trust I’m perfectly well behaved, but when it’s just Mum and I at home I can get into all kinds of Mischief – Tee Hee
Wags,
Your pal Snoopy 🙂
Jodi Stone says
Hmmmmm….so maybe you are trying to trick mom?
kimberlywnva says
I’ve thought many times about reincarnation in our pets, mostly because several people I know, believe in it. I’ve felt that some of our pets were ‘old souls.’ They seemed to be the ones who totally understand about life and death and all its experiences, which goes along with their knowing about it from a previous life. But there are some dogs (at least in my experience) that don’t seem to know about life at all–However there are people that are the same way too, (not really in tune with life, etc.), which puts me right back to where the question of reincarnation begins… sigh…..
Jodi Stone says
Good observation Kim, and boy do I have a story for you. I think that will be tomorrow’s blogpost. 🙂
sassykassy says
I like the concept even though I fear there’s really no reincarnation as much as I’d love to believe in it. Sounds a lot like my dogs; Molly got into very little as a puppy and is now a grumpy old woman at the grand age of 22 months [lol] and our little DEVIL Honey/Mindy is into everything Including Shoes, tissue/paper towels/napkins, dryer sheets and anything at all that she can possibly get into. She spends the day with her nose to the floor searching, searching, searching! All the while Molly sleeps, occasionally peering out to see what our pretty little monster is up to next. Until Honey briefly gives up the search to bite & pull on Molly’s tail to start a tussle out of boredom!
Jodi Stone says
Maybe it’s just the 2nd child syndrome? I have no idea but I do know it certainly seems that way sometimes!!
julesmelfi says
I think Cali is definitely an old soul, we never had to worry about her chewing anything up- she was such an easy pup! Uh oh . .does that mean our next dog will be a new soul? I’m certain that Saydee (my brother’s dog that stayed with us for 2 months) is a new soul! We have off-white carpet in our bedroom too . . we ripped it out of the living room, hallway and office to expose a wood floor that looks crappy and needs refinishing (we call it distressed wood). The bedroom is next!!!
Jodi Stone says
It’s possible. You know when you have a kid and it’s really good? Sleeps through the night, doesn’t get into trouble? Then your next one is El Diablo. Yup, I think it follows with dogs too!
Hubby doesn’t want to rip up the carpet because when the dogs get running and chasing each other he’s afraid they will slip, which I think is valid.
Distressed wood….I like it. 🙂
Bassas Blog says
I must admit, the old soul/new soul theory does carry weight. I asked the tall person about this and he said I was definitely an old soul and Barnaby is a new soul. On reflection I must agree, although I can’t say I’m that keen on 40′s Jazz music 🙂
Jodi Stone says
Bassa, I can see that with you. It’s ok if you don’t like Jazz….I don’t think that’s a requirement to being an old soul. 🙂
Bassas Blog says
Tall person likes Jazz and he is an old soul.
2browndawgs says
That silly Delilah…always into things. lol Freighter puts everything in his mouth, but also takes things in stride so I’m not sure where he fits in. 🙂
Jodi Stone says
Shoot, maybe he’s the middle-aged soul that ‘one person’ mentioned. LMAO
Donna and the Dogs says
Hmmmm….I’ve always thought about and belived that in regards to people, but never thought about it in regards to my animals. And I don’t why either….great post to get you thinking!
Now, if I had to classify mine, I’d definitely say:
Leah, Meadow, and Mew were all old souls, and Toby and Cinder were new souls.
Jodi Stone says
I don’t see why it couldn’t follow with animals. Yes, if that theory holds then Miss Meadow (the old soul) is messing (by making that weird noise) with Toby (the new soul.) 🙂
Lynn says
Is there such a thing as a medium soul? I’ll have to ask Dee Dee. I agree with your assessments though – Delilah is totally new!