"Thank you for sharing your dream, TealOrca (gee, can we tell you like whales from your nick? :-) "

LOL, yep! I'm a pretty spiritual person, and identify with totem animals. whales (specifically orcas) are one

"When did you start enjoying whales? When you were that child? We are everyone in our dream and often another person "like" us (friend, sister) represents a different part/aspect of ourselves; that you had two animals in this dream and you had "noted" the dead whale in actuality the day before (which reminded you of something and so your subconscious grabbed and used it) and you, yourself seem to identify with the whale, since you try to identify what kind it is and already identify yourself with whales as evident from your signature, I would look at the "other" friend=white great dane that only shows up after "you"/the whale disappears."

I've always loved whales since I was like 6 or 7 years old. Good point that I already identify with whales.

"At the time the great dane shows up; you are no longer with just your friend, you are with the crowd but, presumably the great dane jumps over your head ("over your head" = something you don't understand? in too deep?) not over the whole crowd's heads. You love dogs "too" which is why the other animal/your friend is paired with a dog (to your whale part)."

Hmm, interesting point. You know, the friend with me in the dream (who used to come to the beach with me) is a friend from high school, and we've remained friends since then. the dog might have something to do with loyalty (dogs are associated with this anyway), and great danes are BIG dogs- so symbolic of a large amount of that quality, or a stable friendship?

"Whales are pretty big, somewhat cumbersome (at least look that way) animals. They are not all that agile (unlike, say, dolphins?) but the great dane leaped over your head; I would look at maybe you feeling weighed down about something but needing to or able or needing to be more spritely? Maybe you are depressed and worried it will not get better but the white (can symbolize "new beginnings"; by the way, did you know teal can represent healing? http://www.dreammoods.com/dreamthemes/colors.htm ) great dane is showing your spirit/subconscious/you otherwise?"

Yes, I have felt some sense of being weighed down. I'm in the process of finishing a huge project that has been put on the backburner and been somewhat of a burden, however, its nearing completion. My financial situation has not been great, and I worry about that - I also have felt some strain related to my relationship, even though it's solid- because I am away from my partner til I finish this project. The new beginnings makes a lot of sense, perhaps the dog symbolizes that it is coming!

"But I'd look at all that, the "movement" in the dream from being one of a crowd to being "unique" and transforming to the leaping white great dane? That sort of stuff?[/quote]"

Totally. When I finish my doctorate, I'll be part of the 1% of the population with one! Something that is extremely important to me, and is a goal that has been put off because of difficulties and my own fears. It will be the start of a new beginning--perhaps also, a new job which will help alleviate some of my other worries!

Thank you!!!