Pets in Heaven? (Especially on May 21st)

EWTN.com ^ | not given | Dr. Richard Geraghty, PhD

[Salvation]

Pets in Heaven?

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A question that comes up frequently is whether people will see their pets in heaven. Now the Catechism of the Catholic Church does not directly address this question. But it does hold principles which lead us in the direction of an answer.

One principle is that all living things have a soul. Here soul is defined as what makes an organic body live. Now when any living thing dies, its soul is separated from its body. In the case of plants and animals the soul goes out of existence. But in the case of man, the soul remains in existence because it is a spiritual or immaterial thing. Consequently, it differs from the souls of animals in two important respects. First, it is the seat of intelligence or reason.  For this reason a man is held responsible for his actions in a way that animals are not. Secondly, the soul is immortal. A thing which has no physical parts cannot fall apart or be poisoned or be crushed or be put out of existence. For this reason the souls of the saved will always be aware of themselves as enjoying the vision of God for all eternity. This enjoyment will be the result of having chosen to act on earth in such a way that one did the will of God rather than one's own will.  And the souls of the damned will be aware of themselves as never attaining this vision of God because they have shown by their lives on earth that they did not wish this vision but instead preferred their own will.

In the light of this essential difference between human beings and animals, it would seem that we would not see the souls of our pets in heaven for the simple reason that they do not have immortal souls and are not responsible for their actions. They do not have the intelligence which allows them to choose either God's will or their own will.  There is, then, an incomparable distance, say,  between the soul of the sorriest human being who ever lived and the most noble brute animal that ever walked the earth.

Now a child might be heartbroken at the thought that he will never see his pet again. He cannot yet understand this explanation about the difference between the human and the animal soul.  I suppose that one could tell the child that when he hopefully gets to heaven, he could ask God to see his old pets if he still wished to. There would be no harm in that. For we know that when a person finally sees God,  he will not be concerned with seeing old pets or favorite places but rather will be captured in the complete fulfillment of the joy of which old pets and favorite places are but little signs. We adults know that, even if the child does not.

For more information on how the Church sees animals in the lives of human beings, check the Catechism of the Catholic Church 2415-2418. You will learn, for example, that the Church, while it condemns cruelty to animals as an offense against the dignity of man, allow experiments on animals if done in a reasonable way.  Again, you will learn of the tremendous difference that the Church sees between the lowliest of human beings and the most noble of the animals.  It will allow animals to be used for food or clothing, but will defend the right of an innocent human being to live against Kings and Nations. The Church will demand that animals be respected as part of creation while at the same time insisting that the dignity owed a human being should never be given to an animal.

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Answered by Dr. Richard Geraghty, PhD

[Biggirl]

It was because of our “fallen natures” and also because of such, the animals became fearful of us.

[Biggirl]

When Jesus went to the cross, the need for animal sacriface ended.

[Notwithstanding]

If our sacramental marriage won’t survive in heaven, then it seems a bit much to think our affection for pets will matter in heaven.

[kearnyirish2]

I love animals so much I don’t think people should own them; I married a woman from a country where their language doesn’t have a word for “pet” (in Spanish they use “domesticated animal”, the same as a farm animal).

[Lion Den Dan]

Heaven could not amount to much without animals.

[dawn53]

In regards to the May 21st hype and pets...I found this website, quite by accident the other day. Somebody’s trying to “cash in”...not sure if it’s a joke or legit, but it’s strange.

http://eternal-earthbound-pets.com/Home_Page.html

[jacknhoo]

I trust God to know what is best. There is no doubt, He does what is right and just. I have no concerns about any animal’s spirit, God created them and God will take care of them. God created this world for us. There are many creatures in the kingdom of God, I’m sure they all sing praise.

[Larry Lucido]

Straw man.

Sorry my FRiends, to say that Jesus died to save the soul of your pet really, really cheapens the gospel.

No one said anything even remotely like this. Not even close. Not even in the same universe.

[geege]

Ahhh sad...

[Larry Lucido]

Now for the rhetorical question false dichotomy:

What is more important? Being in heaven with God or being with your pet?

Fixed it. :-)

[NewCenturions]

I read something similar to what you posted; that God created animals so they are “infused” with His spirit. They don’t have “souls”, as such, because they don’t have the free will to reject God and have no need to be saved. They can give us comfort and love. God sends His love in many ways. Sometimes humans are lacking in love and He gives us pets to fill that gap. When they die, their spirits return to THE spirit who created them. Where God is, there is heaven. Love never goes out of existence.

[Mad Dawg]

"... because the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and obtain the glorious liberty of the children of God."
... from the very interesting Romans 8:18-25.

It seems to me that God will provide the very best for us, that there will be no sorrow or sighing.

Right now, it is hard for me to imagine that I would not sigh without my pets.

[Scene at Immigration: Mad Dawg, accompanied by a party of about 20 cats, 6 dogs, a dozen goats, two gross of sheep, and a cow.]

But, my vision is dull, and I would not presume to tell God what I need to be happy. If God were to say, "Will you have me or your dog?" how could I say, "Well, not you, thanks." It would be to say, "You, O Lord, cannot make me happy."

But I also think that Lewis and MacDonald are right. (see post 14)

[Mad Dawg]

The source for this line of thought is going to be Aristotle's De Anima and the relevant sections of the Summa.

As far as I can tell, the 'soul' (of a non-rational creature, at least) is not a thing but a functioning. "Soul is to living creature as burning is to fire." That's my working analogy. I am certainly open to being corrected in my interpretation of Aristotle or Aquinas.

The reason (not the 'cause') of the rational soul's immortality is that the objects of reason are themselves outside of time. Justice, Love, even "triangleness" do not grow old, and such are the things with which the rational function deals.

[Grunthor]

Can an animal accept Jesus Christ as it’s Lord and Savior?

[Daffynition]

I recently found this little book Guardians of Being and loaded it on my Nook. It's a 'a heartwarming, new and original Eckhart Tolle book honoring pets that pairs his spiritual quotes with charming, sweet illustrations by the creator of the "MUTTS" comic strip.'

While it doesn't explore one way or another about whether pets will be in Heaven, it touches upon the importance of how pets bring us into "true happiness is found in the in simple, seeemingly unremarkable things"..."but to be aware of little, quiet hings, yo need to be quiet inside. A high degree of alertness is requires. Be still. Look. Listen. Be present. Being awareness to the many subtle sounds of nature." It's all about unconditional love and being in the Now, things we learn from our pets. A great little book for meditation.

Next time you're in a books store, browse it..it's worth a look see.

[Joe 6-pack]

"Can an animal accept Jesus Christ as it’s Lord and Savior?"

I guess you haven't been paying much attention to the other commentary on this thread. Certainly most domestic animals can accept a human as their master; I see no reason why they wouldn't be capable of accepting the Lord of all things, and their very creator as such. As far as accepting Him as their Savior, when exactly did they fall into sin? You seem obsessed with the fact that souls are unique to humanity (whic BTW, I agree with), but you somehow casually dismiss or overlook the fact that sin is as well.

Certainly nobody gets to Paradise but through the Lord. Humans have free will and must choose that route. Who are we to say that the Creator would not gather the rest of his creation to Himself? In fact, if you're one of those people who takes the Bible literally, Luke 15 suggests in fact that He will.

[Joe 6-pack]

"Will I be worshiping in heaven next to all the chickens, pigs, cows and sheep I have eaten over my lifetime?"

Revelation 5:13

[bronx2]

No, haven't seen that book but I have read Pub 78 and F990 where inquiring minds can broaden their educational horizons and discover reality. Have a chance to peruse these tomes yet?

[tiki]

It is just our human nature to think that we know what we need to be happy and we’re more than willing to tell God what to do.

Me, personally, I’ve loved several dogs and one cat...a lot, but I am over that, yet the people are a different matter. I still mourn my brother who has been dead for 45 years. I still miss so many people I’ve known in my life and while I remember my pets fondly, I don’t actively mourn them.

[Outlaw Woman]

for later reading ping