Last night I loss a trusted friend and family member. His name was Hunter. He was our Australian Cattle Dog. He showed up in my familys lives when we were experiencing a time deep pain and brokeness. My wife who was my best friend and mother of my children had chosen to abandonall of us be with someone else. She also made the choice not be in their lives any longer

Leaving me with full custody of our grade school age children. I made the choice move out of the big city to a rural area. One day at the bus stop Hunter showed up and followed my kids home. He was like a gift from God. Someone that could showing my kids and I love, where we had a deep void in our hearts. He was not only a pet, he was a true friend and family. It has been many years, and I am remaried to a wonderful God loving women. My kids are grown and have their own children now. But my dog has bwwn faithful ans stood by my side all these years.  I will miss him so much!

When we experience the loss of a pet, it feels just like the death of a person because beloved pets are members of our family. Not only that, pets give their owners  “unconditional love” which is something that humans attempt to do but do not often succeed. Only God and Jesus are able to truly give unconditional love.

Some of my best memories with our family pet, was when they are there for us when no one else was? Whatever pain you are dealing with, feeling lonely or just a bad day at school or work.  When you get home your pet greets you with unconditional love, a wagging tail or a soft meow, and you know you are appreciated and loved. How many people can you say that about? And pets are consistent with their love for you.

Pets not only give us unconditional love, but they give us trust, loyalty, and devotion. So when we lose a pet, either to an accident or just because we had to euthanize them due to illness, or age, or aggressiveness, the pain is still the same. We feel responsible for their lives and knowing that we have the power to end their lives is an awesome responsibility.

The popular slogan ” A dog is a man’s best friend ” is TRUE. They ARE.

If you are a person of faith you may wonder if your pet went to heaven. Do pets have souls?

There are many reasons why you may have to put your beloved pet to sleep. Old age or terminal sickness.

When we as humans become terminally ill. We have to endure the complete process no matter the pain or poor quality of life. We actually we treat animals better than we treat suffering and in pain humans.

But that does not make the “guilt” go away. No matter how beneficial it is to the animal we still feel guilty about ending it’s life. And some of us will even hold on to a pet that is in great pain and suffering for our own gratification, rather then what is best for the animal.

The Bible does not give any specific teaching on whether (pets and animals) have “souls” or whether they will be in heaven. However, we can take some general Scriptural principles and shed some light on the subject. The Bible states that both man (Genesis 2:7) and animals (Genesis 1:30; 6:17; 7:15,22) have the breath of life. The primary difference between human beings and animals is that man is made in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:26-27).

Animals are not made in the image and likeness of God. Being made in the image and likeness of God means that human beings are like God, capable of spirituality, with mind, emotion, and will – and – have an aspect of being that continues after death.

How many true stories have you seen or heard or read about concerning some dog who laid on it’s master’s grave for weeks? Or pulled a person out of a burning house? Or fought off intruders to save it’s owner? I definitely think that animals have souls with feelings and emotions such as sadness and anger, and fear, and pain. Which is why they have so many different temperaments. And as I said before, they demonstrate “unconditional love” way beyond the capacity of most humans. They are also completely loyal to their owners. They can be counted upon and never let us down as many humans do.

God tells us that when Jesus returns that there will be “peace on earth.”The lion will be able to lay side by side next to a lamb. There will be no more tears, fighting, and death.” So it appears that God gives eternal life to animals as well.

Another factor to consider in this question is that God did create animals as a part of His creative process in Genesis. God created the animals and said they were good (Genesis 1:25). Therefore, there is no reason why there could not be animals on the new earth (Revelation 21:1). There will most definitely be animals during the millennial kingdom (Isaiah 11:6; 65:25). It is impossible to say definitively whether some of these animals might be the pets we had while here on earth? We do know that God is just and that when we get to Heaven we will find ourselves in complete agreement with His decision on this issue, whatever it may be.

Here is a poem I found.

I’M STILL HERE

Friend, please don’t mourn for me
I’m still here, though you don’t see.
I’m right by your side each night and day and within your heart I long to stay.

My body is gone but I’m always near. I’m everything you feel, see or hear. My spirit is free, but I’ll never depart as long as you keep me alive in your heart.

I’ll never wander out of your sight-
I’m the brightest star on a summer’s night. I’ll never be beyond your reach- I’m the warm moist sand when you’re at the beach.

I’m the colorful leaves when fall comes around and the pure white snow that blankets the ground.
I’m the beautiful flowers of which you’re so fond, The clear cool water in a quiet pond.

I’m the first bright blossom you’ll see in the spring, The first warm raindrop that April will bring.
I’m the first ray of light when the sun starts to shine, and you’ll see that the face in the moon shine is mine.

When you start thinking there’s no one to love you, you can talk to through the Lord up above you.
I’ll whisper my answer through the leaves on the trees, and you’ll feel my presence in the soft summer breeze.

I’m the hot salty tears that flow when you weep and the beautiful dreams that come while you sleep.
I’m the smile you see on a baby’s face. Just look for me friend, I’m every place!

~Author Unknown

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, we bring you our grief in the loss of (name of pet) and ask for your healing and strengh to bear it. We bring you our thanks for (name of pet) who lived among us and gave us freely of his/her love. We commit our friend and companion into your loving hands. Give us eyes to see how your love embraces all creatures and every living thing speaks to us of your love. In Jesus’ name Amen.

If you have not accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior, Don’t wait! “In a flash of a second it could be too late!” Click Here to read Four Simple Steps to Jesus.

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Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries

http://www.scripturalseeds.org