2001

For the Love of Rambo
Our beloved, gone way too soon, Yorkie
2002

Bradley
2003

Treat me kindly, my beloved master, for no heart in all the world is more grateful for kindness than the loving heart of me.

Do not break my spirit with a stick, for although I should lick your hand between blows, your patience and understanding will teach me more quickly the things you would have me do.

Speak to me often, for your voice is the world's sweetest music, as you must know by the fierce wagging of my tail when your footsteps fall upon my ear.

When the weather is cold and wet please take me inside, for I am now a domesticated animal, no longer used to bitter elements, and I ask no greater glory than the privilege of sitting at your feet beside the hearth.

Though had you no home, I would rather follow you through ice and snow than rest upon the softest pillow in the warmest home in all the land, for you are my god and I am your worshiper.

Keep my pan filled with fresh water, for although I should not reproach you were it dry, I cannot tell you when I suffer from thirst.

Feed me clean food, so that I may stay well, to romp and play and do your bidding, to walk by your side, and to stand ready, willing and able to protect you with my life should your life be in danger.

And beloved master, when I am very old and the Greatest Master sees fit to deprive me of my health or sight, do not turn me away from you. Rather hold me gently in your arms and see that my trusting life is gently taken away and that I shall leave you knowing with the last breath I draw, my fate was always safest in your hands.

~ Beth Norman Harris ~

"No matter how little money and how few possesions you own, having a dog makes you rich."
-- Louis Sabin

Rocky

Rascal

Mackie

Do Pets Go to Heaven?

by Moira Anderson Allen, M.Ed.


 
Sooner or later, any discussion of pet loss comes around to this question. You may have asked it yourself -- or, perhaps, you may have wondered how to answer when your child asks it of you. Lengthy articles have been written on both sides of the argument. A recent ABC News poll showed that 47% of pet owners believed the answer was yes (35% said "no").

Christians tend to find this question particularly difficult, because we prefer to base "answers" to any spiritual question on the authority of the Bible. (I say "we" because, yes, I am a Christian, and yes, I have wrestled with this question.) Consequently, most discussions of this question turn into scripture-slinging contests, addressing the issue of whether animals have "souls," can be "redeemed," etc. The problem is, scripture does not offer a definitive answer to this issue.

There is a reason for this; it's not simply God's perverse decision to leave thousands of pet owners in the dark. The reason is that the Bible is about human redemption; it's an instruction manual about the choices humans must make. If pets go to heaven, however, it isn't due to anything you or I do to "get" them there -- so perhaps it is no surprise that the Bible contains no "instructions" on the matter.

Animals

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