Sure didn't work out well for Saul did it?
If your focus regarding eternity is on the loved ones and pets you want to see again you are looking entirely in the wrong direction.
My gratitude - and that seems SO trite a word given what He did - to Jesus Christ regarding my daughter is for His death on the cross that enabled her to be with Him in unimaginable paradise. Her body is perfect now - the pain and disabilities are all gone. He loves her perfectly and she is basking in that and worshiping and loving Him. One day I will experience the same. Even if I never spend another moment with her I am OK with that because WHATEVER eternity holds, as long as the Lord our God has built it for us it is simply not possible that it could disappoint in any way what so ever.