<> Ask the Pastor The Rev. Walter Snyder Q: I recently had to put down a beloved pet cat. Is there any hope from Scripture that she is in heaven or do animals just cease to exist? A: I am truly sorry to hear this. I've always been more of a dog person (please don't throw rocks, cat lovers), but I can empathize with your sadness. Our relationships with our animals are often close and special. When death intrudes, it can grieve a person almost as much as the loss of a close human friend. It's especially trying when we are the agents of our pets' deaths. I went through this several years ago. We had three dogs - the mom and pups from two different litters. The two older dogs loved to roam and hunt. Duchess could catch jackrabbits on the run, and Duke benefitted from mom's speed and agility. They crossed a porcupine one night, and that proved their undoing. Duchess was so filled with quills that the vet couldn't remove them all and we had to have her put under. She was our family's all-time favorite dog, and we buried her under a huge sandstone sheet in our church's patio, so the predators could never get to her. A few weeks later, I found Duke dead on the back porch, evidently from a quill we'd missed which had worked its way into her brain. I picked him up and hid him in our camper so my younger brothers and sister wouldn't see him as they left for school. I told Dad in private, and he prepared to tell everyone when they got back home that afternoon. Since my dad was a pastor, he worked through this with his five children. I was finishing high school, while the youngest was about ten, so we each got as much as Dad thought we could take. I say all this to establish my credentials, so you'll know that I understand your concerns. My family owned probably a dozen dogs and was owned by three or four cats as I was growing up. My theological credentials should be established by my years of college and seminary, plus my time putting it into action. The short answer to your question is, "I don't know." We do know that humans are the only creatures on earth who were made in the image of God. This sets us apart from the animals more than logic, planning for the future, or anything else that behavioral scientists and biologists might indicate. Perhaps heaven will have its share of animals. Still, the only "animal" definitely mentioned in heaven is the Lamb - who is, of course, Jesus Christ. I guess that you could also say that the "sheep" get to heaven, while the "goats" are definitely culled out. We do know that a new heaven and a new earth will be established. How they'll be populated except for God, the heavenly beings, and the saints who were saved by faith in Christ and the promises of God, we aren't told. It could be that earthly animals will be replaced by something else altogether. Maybe only certain creatures will be introduced into the new creation. It may be that animals, while they glorify God by their very existence on earth, are destined to pass away at the end of time. Pets may be part of God's providence to a world filled with sin and sorrow. Most people know by experience (and scientific experimentation bears us out) that pets are usually good for us. They help to provide companionship for people who feel lonely or alienated. Their mere presence around the sick and the elderly helps to ease physical and emotional symptoms. Spending a few minutes each day petting a dog or cat can dramatically lower blood pressure. Pets help parents teach children responsibility. Much of what we assume as "normal" is not forever, or even truly normal and natural. Death itself was an intruder brought into our world by sin. Marriage, which God instituted and blessed, and which is the greatest and best of human relationships on earth, is only "until death do us part." Jesus told the Sadducees who came to challenge him, "At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven. (Matthew 22:30)" So also it may be with our other earthly relationships. What truly matters is our relationship in faith with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Heaven and earth can pass away. We might forget everyone and everything we knew on earth. We'll still know no loss, because what is gained is an eternity with the God who loves us, who has made us his own forever. Until next week, when we enjoy more of your questions, remember to "Ask the Pastor" at P.O. Box 1080, Jasper, Texas, 75951; E-mail xrysostom@aol.com; or catch me around town. Pastor Snyder serves St. Paul and Faith Lutheran Churches, Jasper and Woodville, Texas and is coauthor of the book "What Do Lutherans Believe? A Study Guide in Christian Teachings for Adults." Copyright (c) 1996 by Walter P. Snyder Permission is granted by author to reproduce or retransmit this by any means, provided that its content is not altered, that this notice of copyright and permission is included, and that no financial gain is realized.