Sheila,
You mentioned Heaven, so I'm assuming you are Christian, so look in your
Bible for the proof that animals go to Heaven. (I'll state some
references here, but I'm sorry I don't have the exact chapter &
verse...I'm dislexic, I never could memorize those.)
1) The story of Noah: At one pt. in this passage, it speaks
of animals having to attone for the sin of drawing human blood. (Why attone if
no soul?)
2) Christ often speaks of the Lion laying down with the Lamb once all is
said and done. He also refers to himself as the Lamb of God...why liken
yourself to something that is unimportant. Lambs were used as sacrafices
to God. The sacrific meant two things..one, the one offering it would be
going without that which the lamb could provide, fleece, & meat...2) why
would God (in the Old Testament at any rate) be pleased by the sacrifice of
something unimportant. God didn't ask for a sacrifice of stone, or even
water (as precious at that is in the middle east)...but like Christ Himself,
it was the releasing of a soul to ascend back to God.
3) When Abraham was tested with sacrificing his own son, and the
angel stayed his hand, he was instead instructed to sacrifice a ram (now note
here, the ram wasn't one who strolled onto the scene all robust and healthy,
but one caught in the bushes -I would imagine only sick or old animals would
really suffer this fate-) and God instructed the release of this creature as
equal to the sacrific of Issac.
4) Christ's death not only saved all of mankind, but was to be an
end to the animal sacrifics as well. Christ said something to the effect
of : there is no farther need to burn sacrifices...for the Lamb of God will be
the perfect sacrifice and die for all.
5) Christ likened Himself to a sheppard...not a blacksmith, or doctor,
but someone who looks after those who are weak and need him...someone who
looks after animals. (Now mind you He did also compared us to sheep -
who although are very cute and well meaning are really ...how do I put this
kindly....rather dim-witted animals, and I think there too was a
hint.... :) )
6) Paul's horse/mule depending on which description you read, was the one
who first saw the angel blocking his path on the road to Jerico. WHY
reveal yourself to something of no consequence.
7) In the Book of Revelations the angels of the Appocolypse dissend to
earth on horseback. They don't arrive by themselves and purchase horses
to ride. :)
ALL of creation is the work of the Divine. Why would He create that
which is only temporary? I'm an artist -and although I KNOW that my work
is temporary...I have a great affection for the successful pieces I
create....I can only imagine what it would be like not only to create but to
give life to a creature capable of LOVE. The Divine is pure love....ALL
LOVE comes from HIM. The Divine can neither be created or destroyed...if
all love is in essence from God or God itself, than any of creation with the
ability to Love, can not and will not cease to exist simply because the vessel
dies.
Also God knows your heart. If reuniting with all your loved ones in
the afterlife would be heaven for you - Then that is exactly what your heaven
will be.
I taught Catholism to teens. We got on this very discussion one
Sunday. One of my boys was arguing that animal do not go to heaven
because they aren't saved....when, before I could answer, one of the girls
piped up, "Well they never NEEDED to be SAVED, they NEVER BETRAYED THEIR
CREATOR!" Out of the mouths of babes.
Father Bob told the following story: A man awoke abruptly
after a long illness, fully restored in mind and body and realized he must
have died. There was nothing around but open land so he began
walking. All of a sudden he looked down as his childhood dog,
Buddy, ran up to him. He leaned down to give and receive a kiss and
picked up a perfect stick and played fetch with his childhood friend for what
seemed like hours as they walked along.
Then as they both crested a hill tired and thirsty from their play, they
came upon a set of glorious gates. Made of gold and inset with gems it
was and music and laughter could be heard therein. The paths were golden
and diamond flowers lined each side. The man and his dog ran forward but
at the gate was a sign: "NO ANIMALS ALLOWED." "Please the man said,
can't he come inside too? He was always there for me when no one else
was, never judged me and I know he loves me".
"No, I'm sorry, only humans are saved," replied the gatekeeper
" leave him at the gate and come inside." All of a sudden the man
saw a fountain of cool water spring up just inside of the gate and
was longing to quench his thirst, but, slowly turned away and said
to his dog, "common...we'll be fine out here."
As the man walked he became nervous...had he turned his back on God?
..Yet, he had always believed that Buddy was a gift from God...How could he
give up Heaven?.. He looked down into those brown eyes as his buddy
wagged his tail and sighed, his heart filled with love. With a smile and
a toss of the stick they both bounded off without regret. A bit farther
on they came to another rise they came upon a second set of gates. Wood
they were, made of the living trees themselves, old beyond age and
beautifully carved and at the gates sat a man in comfortable clothes. He
smiled as they approached. The man and his dog walked up slowly, sure
they would be turned away. Just beyond the gates, ran a cool stream of clear
water.
"Welcome" the gate keeper said, reaching out to hug the man and then his
dog. "Please come in! We've been waiting for you
both."
"But.." begain the man his eyes filling with tears..."it really is ok if
Buddy comes too? After all they wouldn't let him into heaven" he
asked pointing back the way they had come.
"Son," the gatekeeper said with a gleam in his eye, "Only those who would
leave a friend behind can enter THOSE gates...that's NOT
Heaven....its Hell."
Sheila, God Bless & never doubt....
You WILL be reunited again!
[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
Thank you Sally - I have joined the AC talk list. I have
only recently come to believe that talking to animals was really possible.
If I ever have another go missing I will not waste time contacting an AC. Do
you know of any books on animals in Heaven. I just need to know I will see
Tipper again.
Love, Sheila
