Was I wrong?

[Randombitsofstring]

There was this old tomcat in our neighbor hood. He showed up a few years ago, no collar no tag, but very friendly. A couple of neighbors and I asked around and even put an add in the lost and found advertising we found a cat—but noone came forth and claimed him. He was a very sweet cat, didn’t cause any harm, often we my neighbors and I would visit each other on our back porches he would come along and sit on the back porches accepting scratches and treats. We all just sort of took care of him. Even though we have our own pet house cat my daughter was very fond this the old tom. (I don’t think we ever called him anything else)

Well sadly after being injured a few days ago, he succumbed to his injuries during the night. My daughter was heartbroken, this is the first time she has ever experienced death on a personal level. She is only 8 years old and she asked if he was in Heaven—I should have seen this coming but I didn’t and she was so upset that I assured her that, yes, beloved animals go to heaven. Growing up I was taught that no matter how harsh it sounded pets didn’t have souls and there fore don’t go to heaven. And many of the churches I’ve been at feel that teaching anything other than this is borderline hearsay.

I don’t know, maybe I did wrong, but I would do anything to ease her grief. Is there any other parent who has been through the loss of a pet and what did you say/do to help your child over it?

 

[LynnMcG]

My dad passed away when my daughter was 3.5 years old, so she dealt with death pretty early on. Last year, my mom had to have my dad's dog put to sleep, which brought up more thoughts on death/heaven/hell. So when my then 6 year-old asked where the dog went we told her that we'd hoped Luke was in heaven playing with PopPop. We were never really specific about where the dog went, because we honestly don't know!

I don't think you did the wrong thing. We don't know that there won't be pets in heaven!

 

[Jehane]

We do know that there will be animals in heaven & there are plenty of verses that tell us God loves & cares for the animals he has created so we have told our children 2 truths: God loves & cares for our animals so we can trust Him with their deaths & he loves & cares for us so knows how much we loved our pets & one day will make everything right again. We are not told specifically about our pets & the children understand this but we do know we can trust God & we do actually expect to see our beloved pets again. If we don't it will be for our best & that will be o.k with us because God will have made it so.

 

[HeatherJay]

I think that our animals will be in heaven. I don't know if they have souls...it's my personal belief that there IS some inner knowing in pets like cats and dogs (based solely on my years of owning pets and knowing how intuitive they can be). So, I don't think you did wrong in telling your daughter this.

It makes perfect sense to me that God loves the animals that He created...and I believe that when that creation dies, that, in some way (I have no clue how), it must return to it's Source. I don't believe that any "life" just ceases to exist after death...I believe all life returns to it's Maker.

 

[CarrieAg93]

Our fish died a few days ago and my boys asked if it went to heaven. I said yes. That must be one big fish tank!! I think what you told your daughter was fine.

 

[Christdefinesme]

You did the right thing. I would say the same to my little one.
Our Lord is compassionate, and knows the desires of our hearts, and truly, whether our pets will be in heaven or not, who's to say? I think that is something that only God Himself knows (he can make anything happen that he wants to, whether the pet has a soul or not), so I don't really feel you are lying to your child, or teaching her to believe against God's word, just to tell her that her beloved animal will be waiting for her, and that God loves His creation, including this beloved cat, enough to take him into His presence. My mom used to tell me "I don't know for sure, but I believe that the Lord loves us enough to have everything and everyone we love waiting for us when we get there."
This isn't about theology, it's about relationship. And Our Lord honors and prizes relationship.

 

[BrandonGray]

I'm not sure, but I think in Ecclesiastes it says that nobody knows what happens the spirit of an animal.

 

[Taylor43]

As painful it is you had no idea the turnout my Deepest Sympathy is with you. Yes it does sting seeing a animal die. You did not know how thing played out. I know your daughter is very sad. Just keep be understanding for her as a chil Animal passing is hard. I do not know how you veiw pets but keep caring for her let her know yes it hurts but you care.

For me i am sad when i have to put a pet down i see them going to heaven. I got new pets that bring me joy I do not not forget but i find Joy in a new animal.

I am sorry your daughter has been crying it's hard to understand. Just keep reminding her the tom cat is not in pain and let her grieve if you have to a cat will help in time. When i lost my dog 3 years ago but i got another intime it helped it wasnt easy at first but i am thankful for this dog. The same with a cat you may see a cat that you like.
Love
Taylor

 

[lucypevensie]

I think there will be animals in Heaven. So many people envision Heaven as merely a city made of gold and jewels. Yes, there will be an enormous city, the New Jerusalem, but beyond that there is also promised a New Earth. Hello, why not have animals there? I don't know if our pets will be resurrected, but God certainly CAN do that. I think there will be tons of surprises there

 

[HeatherJay]

I think there will be animals in Heaven. So many people envision Heaven as merely a city made of gold and jewels. Yes, there will be an enormous city, the New Jerusalem, but beyond that there is also promised a New Earth. Hello, why not have animals there? I don't know if our pets will be resurrected, but God certainly CAN do that. I think there will be tons of surprises there

Looking at your screen name made me think...

I have a very Narnian idea of what I hope heaven will be like...talking animals and all.

 

[bliz]

My vision of heaven includes far more than people, or people's souls.
In fact, my favorite view of heaven is that it will be earth done right, and that would include animals.

 

[Randombitsofstring]

Thanks for all your responses. I never quite understood why some churches were against the idea of animals having souls. For me, there is no doubt that pets are capable of loving their owners, and if something can love then I feel it must have a soul. How could anything love and not have a soul? I was never easy with the idea of a God creating pets and then not having a place fore them in the afterlife.

Growing up there were several things I was taught about God, church, and religion that never set right with me, but because I was taught them at such an early age it wasn’t until I was much older that I question them, like this for example. And I always hoped that when this day came, I would make the right decision.

Thank you everyone for your words of kindness and sympathy. As for my little girl, she’s still sad, but is doing ok.

 

[Entertaining_Angels]

God created animals and the Bible claims He thought them to be good.

My son has asked me because we have two older dogs and one of our cats is older. I told him that I do believe we'll see them in heaven and I believe that.

 

[Marks19]

well my dogs better be in heaven... i mean they even made a movie "all dogs go to heaven" so it's gotta be true ...right?!?! and anyways my dog has a soul b/c everytime his doc looks into his eyes he says "wow, he has such a deep soul" and that guys a doctor so he has to know what hes talking about

...and as far as im concerned if when my dog died my mom didnt tell me she was in heaven and id see her again id probably need some type of consulling to get me threw.

 

[burn97]

I believe you did the right thing...
I read a book, by Randy Alcorn, Heaven. In the book it talks about bible based reasons why animals, (our pets) will be in heaven. Although they do not have human souls, they do have souls nevertheless.' Scripture says a great deal about animals, portraying them as Earth's second most important inhabitants. God entrusted animals to us, and our relationships with animals are a significant part of our lives.'
God made animals, all animals, wild and domesticated. And He saw that it was good. It pleased God to make animals. Animals please God. Do I believe that they will be in Heaven? Yes I do.