Homeward bound: Pets and the after life
Last week I lost one of my best friends: my cat.
It's taken me a while to write this post, but I know that so many people can relate. In fact, 2009 saw two books about pets and death from a Catholic perspective come out: Will I See My Dog in Heaven? By Franciscan Jack Wintz and Animals in Heaven: Catholics Want to Know! by Susi Pittman.
I know that non-animal folks might not understand the closeness of owners and their pets and this concern for pets' souls, but my experience confirms that there's a unique bond between humans and animals.
Middy (short for Midnight-as you can see from the picture, she was all black and I wasn't a terribly creative child) had been an orphan found in a garage before my family adopted her and her brother from our piano teacher in 1990. They were so small that we had to bottle feed them. While her brother died of cancer at age four, Middy lasted 19 years.
It seemed to be true that she had 9 lives, surviving infection after infection, diabetes, digestion issues, and cancer for about six months longer than we expected. And certainly, as many have told me in the past week, she was well loved and taken care of.
Whenever people have said that, though, my response is that Middy loved me well too. Besides leaving me a number of presents in the forms of dead rodents and birds, she was always there to provide me comfort, from childhood, through the tumultuous teenage years, and even after I left home as an adult (she stayed with my parents).
The love that we receive from pets is what makes us call animals best friends and wonder about their souls. I don't know what happens after life, but I can hope that she is with God.
To lift your spirits, check out the fake church sign debate about whether "all dogs go to heaven."
(Photo: Middy and me the night before we had to put her to sleep.)
Comments (12)
Re: Pets & The After Life
By The_Truth (not verified) on Saturday, April 10, 2010I'm sorry to hear about the losses of Megan and the posters here. As a big animal lover myself, I can sadly relate.
I wanted to pass this information on in the event that it might be of interest to some of you.
There is a place called Art From Ashes and they can make part of your pet's remains into beautiful artwork. Thus, instead of having an urn/box, you have a nice glass sculpture to display (and you can still have an urn as well as they only require a small amount of the ashes). Most people use this for deceased pets, but some also use it for their human loved ones.
The sculptor has done work for the White House to major department stores.
Anyway, here's the site:
I told one of my friends about this after his dog passed away and he selected the "Hidden Treasure" ball. He absolutely loves it and has it sitting out on his living room table and no one would suspect it was his dog unless they were informed of it. People go over to his place and ask where he purchased the nice glass sculpture and then he gets to tell them the story behind it. If you look closely, you can see the ashes swirled into the glass.
If you do not have the ashes and still wanted to do it, they might be able to do it with some fur that might still be looming around (I have no idea if they can do that or not) or you might be able to burn something else (collar, etc) and send those ashes into them.
Peace!
I sympathize with you
By Amy Badach (not verified) on Thursday, April 8, 2010I sympathize with you completely. I just lost my cat Baxter to Cancer and he was only 9. It takes all my strength to just make it through each day and I have been questioning what is next too. I'd like to believe Baxter is in Heaven w/ my beloved grandmother where she can take care of him and feed him roast beef until I can be there with him. I have so many questions - will we be able to cuddle our little ones in Heaven? Are they (as well as all passed loved ones) wtching over us?
Anyone that can help me can write me amybadach@comcast.net
Cat love
By Mary Gingrich (not verified) on Monday, January 18, 2010Our cat, "Kitty" (talk about adult creativity) has changed out lives. She rules our home and I am sure she will will soon have the car keys. She is also totally black, and now we understand that pets fill the void you never knew you had. Your picture with her was beautiful.
Mary G
Animals in Paridise
By Karen (not verified) on Wednesday, January 13, 2010In my heart of hearts, I truly believe our pets and all animals will be in Heaven. I think God created animals for His joy and pleasure, and delights in our love and appreciation of them. Animals give us so much in their lives. They are part of the family. They are each a unique wonder. Magnificent in themselves. Ever see the documentary Planet Earth? They are amazing. On a personal note, I still anguish over the loss of our kitty Princess from a few years ago. My 8-yr-old daughter still talks about her, loves her. We put up a Christmas stocking for her, and my daughter writes prayers and puts them in her stocking, then we read them out loud, hoping Princess will hear us. Animals can bring out the love in us. They are a gift from God. I believed they are restored in Heaven with us. They have no sin, so Hell is not an option for them.
Sorry on your loss
By Bob A on Tuesday, January 12, 2010As a pet lover, cat, birds, fish currently I truly empathise with you. I was searching the web a while back and found this. I've saved it to my favorites.
http://www.americancatholic.org/e-News/FriarJack/newlayout.asp?id=1
You mentioned Father Wintz, this is from "Father Jack's E-Spirations".
"Consider the story of Adam and Eve before their disobedience as well as the story of the animals, the birds, the trees and plants in the Garden of Eden. Not only Adam and Eve, but the other creatures as well seemed to find peace and happiness in that first paradise. Why then would God—or anyone else—want to exclude them from the paradise that is yet to come? Thus, I would have no argument with Christians who believe that the animals and other creatures are with God in heaven, just as they were in God’s presence in the story of the original paradise."
Pets in Heaven
By Jerry D (not verified) on Tuesday, January 12, 2010It's important not to blur the lines between people and animals. Many people support creating and then aborting human embryos and fetuses for experimentation and parts, but are firmly against any testing on animals to fight any disease from cancer to polio. Ingrid Newkirk of PETA believes a boy has no more value than a rat.
Perhaps we'll have pets in heaven for our benefit. However, God apparently finds a way to make those of us who make to heaven even if our loved ones are not there. If, for example, we are happy in heaven even though our friends, spouses, parents and children are in hell, we'll probably be happy without Fido.
In order to view a cat or dog going to go to heaven for being a loyal and loving, we need come up with a scenario where a cat or dog goes to hell. The scenario does not exist. When wild dogs tear our the innards of an antelope eating it alive, they are doing what dogs do. When domesticated dogs tear apart Jews upon the orders of Nazi concentration camp guards, we don't blame the dogs. However, the guards are accountable.
Your Beloved Cat
By Jeanne (not verified) on Tuesday, January 12, 2010Dear Megan,
I am so sorry about the loss of your beloved cat Middy. I know firsthand how it feels to lose one's pet and will pray that you will be comforted. I'm no theologian, but I do believe that God will one day restore to us in the most remarkable way the people and things we have truly loved. So keep faith.--Jeanne
Fur Angels
By Meredith Gould (not verified) on Tuesday, January 12, 2010I not only sympathize but deeply and prayerfully empathize with your grief about Middy's death. Last week, I said goodbye to Louise, the third cat within six months. http://meredithgould.blogspot.com/2010/01/and-then-there-were-none.html
Do our animal companions go to heaven? I hope so...with or without us. Bless your heart and peace be with you, Megan.
Sorry if this shows up twice
By crystal (not verified) on Monday, January 11, 2010Sorry if this shows up twice - had trouble posting it.
My cat Kermit died about a year ago at age 18. I was so upset. I looked through the internet and at the libeary for anything about animals having souls, going to heaven. There's a lot to read and I think a fair amount of evidence for the affirmative but probably the best evidence for me is that I don't see how Jesus/God could create and love anything, including animals, and let them be annihilated.
"Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father." Matthew 10 28 -29
Pets in heaven
By crystal (not verified) on Monday, January 11, 2010My cat Kermit died about a year ago at age 18. I was so upset and I began looking through the internet and the library to find some info on whether pets went to heave, so I understand how you feel. One of the books I read had this quote from Axel Munthe ....
"But in one respect at least I can say with a clear conscience that I have not deceived my readers - in my love for animals. I have loved them and suffered with them my whole life. I have loved them far more than I have ever loved my fellow-men. All that is best in me I have given to them, and I mean to stand by them to the last and share their fate whatever it may be. If it is true that there is to be no haven or rest for them when their sufferings here are at an end, I, for one, am not going to bargain for any haven for myself. I shall go without fear where they go, and by the side of my brothers and sisters from forests and fields, from skies and seas, lie down to merciful extinction in their mysterious underworld, safe from any further torments inflicted by God or man, safe from any haunting dream of eternity."
I do hope with all my heart that I'll see Kermit in heave (if I get to go there :)
