Posted on 07/26/2008 9:24:53 PM PDT by WilliamReading
Carolyn Sharp’s beloved greyhound Starr was 4 years old when she was diagnosed with a deadly form of cancer.
Sharp decided the two of them would stay together as long as Starr was not suffering too much. The greyhound received radiation treatments and pain patches for several months until the veterinarian told Sharp it was time to end it.
“When we went in for the last time, I held her in my arms for the comfort of both of us until she had left,” said Sharp, who lives in Overland Park. “I have still not really made peace with losing her so young.”
Eight years later she still doesn’t understand the “why.” But she is certain she’ll hold Starr again — in an afterlife.
“I believe I’ll have three cats and a whole bunch of dogs waiting for me,” Sharp said.
Is there an afterlife for animals? Or as a popular question puts it, “Do all dogs go to heaven?”
Jack Vinyardi of Kansas City, an ordained interfaith chaplain of pets, said he is asked that question all the time as he comforts people about to lose or who have lost a pet.
(Excerpt) Read more at kansascity.com ...
Hope so.
But if there are any barking dogs up there I will be pssed off.
Does anyone have the answer? I have a pet cat, and need to know . . .
Responding to a dying old woman’s inquiry James Herriot, the late British author/veterinarian noted:
“If having a soul means being able to feel love and loyalty and gratitude, then animals are better off than a lot of humans. You’ve nothing to worry about there.” He goes to note regarding animals joining their masters in the afterlife:
“I do believe it. With all my heart I believe it.”
PENTHOUSE PETS’?
I hope so. Oh please God, I hope so.
True story.
An old man and his dog were walking down this dirt
road with fences on both sides, they came to a gate
in the fence and looked in, it was nice - grassy,
woody areas, just what a ‘huntin’ dog and man would
like, but, it had a sign saying ‘no trespassing’ so
they walked on.
They came to a beautiful gate with a person in white
robes standing there. “Welcome to Heaven”
he said. The old man was happy and started in with his
dog following him.
The gatekeeper stopped him. “Dogs aren’t allowed,
I’m sorry but he can’t come with you.” “What
kind of Heaven won’t allow dogs? If He can’t come in,
then I will stay out with him. He’s been my faithful
companion all his life, I can’t desert him now.
“ “Suit yourself, but I have to warn you,
the Devil’s on this road and he’ll try to sweet talk you
into his area, he’ll promise you anything, but, the dog can’t
go there either. If you won’t leave the dog, you’ll
spend Eternity on this road “ So the old man and
dog went on.
They came to a rundown fence with a gap in it, no gate,
just a hole. Another old man was inside. “Scuse me Sir,
my dog and I are getting mighty tired, mind if we come in
and sit in the shade for awhile?” “Of course, there’s
some cold water under that tree over there. Make yourselves
comfortable “ “You’re sure my dog can come in?
The man down the road said dogs weren’t allowed
anywhere.” “Would you come in if you had to leave
the dog?” “ No sir, that’s why I didn’t go to
Heaven, he said the dog couldn’t come in. We’ll be spending
Eternity on this road, and a glass of cold water and some
shade would be mighty fine right about now. But, I won’t
come in if my buddy here can’t come too,
and that’s final. “
The man smiled a big smile and said “Welcome to Heaven.”
“You mean this is Heaven? Dogs ARE allowed? How come that
fellow down the road said they weren’t?” “That was the
Devil and he gets all the people who are willing to give up a life
long companion for a comfortable place to stay.
They soon find out their mistake, but, then it’s too late.
The dogs come here, the fickle people stay there.
GOD wouldn’t allow dogs to be banned from Heaven. After all,
HE created them to be man’s companions in life, why would he
separate them in death?”
Author Earl Hamner
The Twilight Zone
AT THE RAINBOW BRIDGE
There is a bridge connecting Heaven and Earth.
It is called the Rainbow Bridge because of its many colors.
Just this side of the Rainbow Bridge,
there is a land of meadows, hills and valleys with lush green grass.
When a beloved pet dies, the pet goes to this place.
There is always food and water and warm Spring weather.
Those old and frail animals are young again.
Those who have been maimed are made whole again.
They play all day with each other.
Some of them here by the Bridge are different.
These pets were beaten, starved, tortured, and unloved.
They watch wistfully as their friends leave one by one,
to cross the bridge with their special person.
For them there is no one, no special one.
Their time on earth did not give them one.
But one day, as they run and play,
they notice someone standing by the road to the bridge.
This person wistfully watches the reunions of friends,
for during life, this person had no pet.
This person was beaten, starved, tortured, and unloved.
Standing there alone, one of the unloved pets approaches,
curious as to why this one is alone.
And as the unloved pet and the unloved person get nearer to each other,
a miracle occurs,
for these are the ones who were meant to be together,
the special person and the beloved pet
who never had the chance to meet while on Earth.
Finally, now, at the edge of the Rainbow Bridge,
their souls meet, the pain and the sorrow disappears,
and two friends are together.
They cross the Rainbow Bridge together, never again to be separated.
-— Anonymous -—
“Islam also teaches that God will be judge of people and animals, Ali said.
“For example, he will charge an animal that has horns who took advantage of one that didn’t have horns, and that horned animal will be turned to dust after taking him to account for what the horned animal did,” he said.”
This makes little sense. Basically, Islam is saying all animals with horns and sharp teeth will be punished for being predators. Isn’t that their nature? A lion will be punished for killing a deer?
The Bible in part uses “lions laying down with the lambs” as a description of heaven. One may then conclude that there will be animals in heaven.
More importantly, heaven is a place to live forever with the one who created you and loves you with no limits. My guess is that if you pets are not in heaven that you will not miss them no matter how hard you try.. I have also been told that animals have a spirit but have no soul.
Earl Hamner
Didnt he write the original “The Waltons” family story about his family of nine children ???
I know there are two labs of mine running in the field like two puppies again.
James Herriot
I used to watch All Creatures Great and Small...
I’ve read some of his books too...
I like that.
The most beloved companion I ever had (wife excepted for safety reasons of course) was my half blind Siamese. No dog or cat could have been more closely bonded with me.
If it works out, I look forward to having him snuggle in my arm again as we fall asleep.
Old Marines don't get teary eyes, do they?
I don’t care what Islam says. It’s a cult.
sometimes I wonder if His Angels do not come down to earth in the form of animals, hoping to offer us a taste of His unconditional love, and their hope that we love and care in return.
To the extent that we recognize their love, accept it as an undeserved gift, we can, as children, slowly begin to understand the love of the Cross.
I can’t write, without tears, about those who torture animals. All that comes to my mind is how far we have fallen from grace.
CS Lewis thought so. John Wesley expected to see his beloved horse there. My thought: I’m not interested in going anywhere dogs aren’t allowed. Just send me wherever they are. If that excludes me from Heaven, so be it.
Makes as much sense as any of Islam does. Which is none.
Thats what you get when the founder of the religion is a raging schizophrenic.
As the Bible says in Proverbs: “If you have profit in an animal...”
For me, a companion is a non economic benefit.
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