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
