Originally Posted by
Alder
I also believe that animals have spirits. As much as I hate to cite such a banal source, I think Disney's Pocahontas put it very well when she sang that every rock and tree and creature has a life, a spirit, a name.
Anyway, while animals do have spirits, they are often far better at living in the present, and in shifting their consciousness to different levels of awareness, than many humans. For that reason, when animals die, their spirits or "ghosts" do not usually get stuck or confused the way humans sometimes do. Animals usually go very easily through the gateway into the world beyond it, and back into the greater world of being.
Anyway, it is not so much a question of asking them to leave as giving them peace. Or I could say giving them comfort, or giving them love. You could put out some food or treats for these spirits, or make a special place for them, a warm safe place. They probably will move on, or at least settle down, so your dog can get used to them. For your dog, the best thing is just to pet her and soothe her whenever you see it agitating her.
What did you do with the cat skeleton? Burying it outside would be best. No elaborate funeral service needed, just a simple showing of respect, same as you would want someone to do if they accidentally dug up your skeleton.