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
