Well, first of all, you have to believe that there is a “Heaven.”
I’m only thinking about this because my newest edition to the family, Gracie, was very ill when I woke up this morning. She was fine last night when I fell asleep. This morning she was sick. I won’t go into details but I took off from work to take her to the Vet. She has a fever, infection, etc.
I’ve thought about this stuff a lot. I’m not religious. I don’t subscribe to any definition of a “God” although I don’t scorn anyone who does because “God fearing people” have done some good in this world helping others. They’ve done some harm, too, but so has everybody.
But, what if the scriptures are accurate? What if, when we die, we go to some “pearly gates” and are judged and are (hopefully) granted admission to “Heaven?”
I have listened to various theologians discuss the issue of our pets and Heaven and most have said that since animals “don’t have souls,” our pets ain’t going there.
I doth protest. I can’t speak from experience with most critters but Dogs and Cats most definitely have souls.
I have a rule I live by. See, I’m a carnivore and I like to eat meat and I like leather jackets and shoes and belts. I don’t believe that cows have souls. Why? Well, I don’t know but I see no signs of a mind at work in them.
Dogs and Cats. I truly believe they do have souls. They are capable of loving us. Lots of animals are. What’s the difference? Cats and dogs like to have fun! Take your loving dog to the park and let him run with other dogs. They play, explore, they enjoy it. ENJOY! A stupid animal doesn’t know what it is to enjoy anything.
Cats play. They do it for most of their lives. They chase each other (yes, I grant you it is an exercise in predation but they still have fun at it as they chase each other and quickly reverse roles and do it again) and make friends with each other and — curiosity killed the cat — explore everything in their domain. They actually say, “ouw” when they are hurt. They purr when happy. They are one of only four animals on Earth that have visible smiles when happy. They invent games of play when with each other. They know what pleasure is.
Stupid animals aren’t capable of any of that.
Back to the subject. I love my cats, both living and gone. If, IF there actually is an afterlife and I’m dragged into Heaven, I will only go if all, ALL the wonderful cats that have blessed my life are with me.
If I’m at those “Pearly Gates” and St. Peter says, “Come on in, but cats aren’t allowed.” I will tell him to go fuck himself and send me downstairs. My “Heaven” will always include my best buddies, all of my cats. If they aren’t allowed in, I don’t want to be, either.
My cats are a part of me. No cats, no Heaven. Not for me, anyway. I’ve told all of my cats, “I love you forever. Unconditionally. And, I always will, no matter what you do, for now and for all eternity. I want you with me, in body or eventually, in spirit. I will not live or enjoy life without you. I want you with me.”
Does that sound stupid? Am I so lame that my love of my cats should subject me to shame?
I hope not. If it does, I don’t care.
I want you all, most of you dog folks, to picture your afterlife without your good dog. Do you really want that?
If there is actually a “God,” well, he better understand that my pets are a vital, wonderful part of my life. If they aren’t in “Heaven” with me, then I’m not interested in being there either.






