Posted on 06/11/2006 12:51:59 PM PDT by Dysart
When my beloved Scruffy and Breezy die, I will have them cremated and when I die I will be cremated also. Our ashes will then be mixed together and scattered.
There ya go. I've always intended to return the mountain that we used to climb together and scatter his ashes at the peak. Someday I will. I'll just keep the pine box spit shined 'till then!
Unfortunately all of this animal concern is ripe for co-pting by PETA and the 'animal rights' extremist crowd. As a result we end up with laws that favor animals at the expense of human lives, health and property rights. Animals do not go to heaven. God created them to serve mankind in numerous ways and we can certainly be thankful for that and take care of them.
Christianity is our foe. If ANIMAL RIGHTS is to succeed, WE MUST DESTROY THE JUDEO-CHRISTIAN RELIGIOUS TRADITION." - PETER SINGER ("Father of Animal Rights"
PETA creates a (nude) scene
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1453399/posts
I have been taught that "Heaven" is a place where we escape the burden of sin and have restored to us what sin has stolen. Death came about through sin, and while animals may have no souls, their death came from sin. So I know my animals will be there.
Some people, yours truly included, do not have children and their pets serve as surrogate children. So there's that attachment.
I also cannot conceive of a God (that I'd care to worship) that would create a heaven yet leave out our faithful animal companions. Something like that wouldn't be heaven at all; it would be very much the other thing.
As much as I hope and feel that all beloved pets will be with their people in Heaven, to put them above God is blasphemy. It is God who makes Heaven what it is, not the presence of any other souls and certainly not the presence of pets.
Because of His perfect love, we will be unable to feel sorrow for those we will never see again, people or pets. Even if God does not allow earthly pets into Heaven, I take comfort in believing that they would simply rest in peace.
Still, I'm hoping.
I can sure relate, we just lost our dog Louie several weeks ago to cancer, and last week nearly lost our other dog who has had bouts of pancreatitis and now has diabetes. We always say "no more pets" after losing one, it's so hard, but there's always another who needs a family.
Just about all of our pets have been rescues of one type or another. Louie was an hour from euthansia at the pound 3 years ago when he was bailed out by a friend who knew we would take him. He had a great three years until his recent illness, and was such a wonderful pet, can't imagine not having had him.
Put another way, the very fact of being alive means there is a soul (even in plants and amoebas) and that soul is connected to a realm as real as dimension time yet not at the mercy of temporal shift. The fact that ALL humans will be resurrected --some to life everlasting in God's presence, some not in God's presence-- is an indication that All life will be resurrected and the innocent will remain in God's presence. ALL animals are innocent of spiritual rebellion (because they lack a spirit though they are souls with bodies) thus they are suffering now only because of Adam's fall and the resurrection of Christ has dissolved that curse for them.
Thank you.
While I'm not one to say as others have that I wouldn't want to go to Heaven if my pets don't, I believe God cares for the smallest among us and his care extends beyond life as we know it.
The first and only pet I ever had growing up was a gray tomcat named Smokey. When I was a teenager I was involved in a wreck and spent 30+ days in the hospital. I had to relearn how to walk and was extremely shaky at it when I came home.
Smokey had lived with us for 7 years at the time and knew there were certain parts of the house which were off-limits to him. (He wasn't allowed on the carpeted parts of the house.) My bedroom was down the hall which was an off limit area and was itself off-limits.
The afternoon after I was released from the hospital I was asleep in my room and my Mom came in to check on me. She found Smokey curled up on the bed next to me. When she started to reach for him to pick him up, he hissed and swatted at her which was extremely unusual behaviour for him. She allowed him to stay.
He stayed for exactly 3 days, only leaving my room/bed to eat and to go outside to take care of business. I don't know why he chose 3 days but I can only guess it's because on the third day I had my first follow-up appointment with my Doctor so I was up and out of the house for awhile. He never came back to my room again.
Only Smokey knows why he stayed with me for those 3 days and he took his reasons with him when he died.
The young Ranger’s eyes fixed on Jason’s, as she considered another of the questions she’d brought for him.
To ask what was now on her mind carried the risk of self-disclosure, but her resistance to truth was melting. Only one step remained.
God’s Spirit emphasized to her mind the emotional pain of a poignant moment involving her recently deceased cat, prompting her to ask, “Do you really believe your childhood dog was over there?”
Jason responded without hesitation, “Oh, most assuredly ... and I felt his joy at seeing me again. But I must confess, I also experienced his pain and confusion. You see, I was the one who killed him.”
The Ranger tilted her head slightly to the right, signaling her misunderstanding.
“I’m ashamed to admit this,” he continued, “ But I pointed what I thought was an unloaded gun at him and pulled the trigger. He died in my twelve-year-old arms, wagging his tail to confirm he forgave me.”
Her eyes glistened, as tears welled up but did not break loose.
He apologized. “I’m sorry. I see I’ve upset you.”
“No, please go on,” she sniffled, “I’ve recently had a similar experience with my beloved cat, Sadie.”
Unseen to Jason Lot, the mind of the young woman’s soul was now receptive. The private doorway through the will of her soul, to her spirit, was creaking open.
“Forgive me, I didn’t know my story would touch such a sensitive spot. Would you like to tell me about Sadie? … I’ve often wished I’d shared my hurt over my dog Chris with someone.”
The story gushed from her.
She explained how she was taking her cat to the vet, wrestling with the animal to prevent it from jumping through a window carelessly left open on the rider’s side, while trying to drive the car. When she stopped for a traffic light, the cat scratched her during its struggle, so she exclaimed, ‘Oh go on you mean thing, jump out into traffic.’ The cat leaped through the window and was hit by a car pulling alongside. It died in the young woman’s arms, purring, rubbing whiskers lovingly against its master’s hand.
Jason’s eyes misted up as she told her story. He reached across the picnic table to pat her small hand while they both allowed the tears to run their course.
She pulled her hand away to dig out a rumpled tissue from her uniform pocket, said 'excuse me', and then blew her nose.
ping ...
IMPO pets are a true blessing for those that connect with them. Some people do not and cannot understand what we pet-lovers see in a dog, cat or animal. Yet, we find a small companion that entertains, is loyal, welcoming, friendly and with a mind involved with none of the concerns of society.
In reality, such a simple answer to life in large impersonal societies where man often feels alone or is alone and companions are not available.
That pet, cares not a whit if we are perfect, if we are wealthy, have fame, glory, honor. They allow us relief from the human world which can be so hurtful, demanding.
So, of course, we grow to love it as part of the family. The more it provides comfort, companionship when needed, the more we see the innocence in those eyes, the more it gives us something we treasure or need, the more valuable it becomes.
Those that do not need the comfort will not grow attached or see those things.
I can't help but think this is an easy way for God to give us angels in our lives - we call them pets. Such a blessing and I am thankful although it hurts when they die.
Whether they are in Heaven or not we cannot answer. But, we feel we would not be able to enjoy Heaven without our unsaved departed loved ones but we just have to accept what God determines Heaven will include. Whatever is included will be accepted same as life on earth is accepted with all of its tragedies, sorrows, griefs and joys.
Look at the pets you loved as a child - they have been gone for many years and we each have survived and gone on to love other pets. Sometimes things are for a certain time - not for eternity - but are still absolutely treasured. Friends are the same - some for many years, some for certain periods - but each treasured.
But, with all that said, I, too, want my pets and all my loved ones with me for eternity whether they passed muster or not. All I can do is pray that God will forgive them and accept them with His mercy and hope that God will choose to include such great fruit bearing creatures in Heaven as He too sees what we see in them.
I'm sorry about your loss but enjoyed your tribute to Shadow. And you're right, dogs will ultimately break your heart.
G-d Bless him for his loss, and more for his caring. I love my cats and will have them placed in a proper place.
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