Pet Loss

[DavidHawthorne]

I just had to put down a wonderful dog I have had for 15 years. He was truly a blessing and one of the best examples of Christlikeness I have ever seen. I think St. Xanthias must have had one much like him when he said, "A dog is better than I am, for he has love and does not judge."
In the Biblical descriptions of Heaven there are always animals: is there any indication in the Fathers whether these are newly-created animals after the new heaven and earth is formed or are they the same ones we have known?

[Anastasios]

Revelation is for our salvation, so there is probably not a whole lot one could say on the topic. What God does with animals is up to him. I have hope that my pets will be there.

[michigan]

I had the honor of knowing a very spiritual, educated nun who firmly believed (from her extensive spiritual reading) that the animals in paradise will include those who lived before on this earth.

[ANGELA]

I TOO HAVE BEEN TOLD FROM SOMEONE SPIRITUAL THAT THERE IS ALSO A HEAVEN FOR ANIMALS THAT ARE GOOD. DIFFERENT TO OUR HEAVEN OF COURSE.

IF YOU THINK ABOUT IT THERE ARE SO MANY ANIMALS THAT HELP US HUMANS. LIKE THE LABRODOR THAT WOKE UP HIS OWNER TO LET HIM KNOW THAT THERE WAS A FIRE IN THE HOUSE AND BOTH WERE SAVED FROM THE FIRE. WOULDNT THAT DOG DESERVE SOMETHING SPECIAL WHEN IT DIES. ALSO IN PARADISE WHEN ADAM WAS CREATED THERE WERE ANIMALS. SO GOD HAS A PLACE FOR EVERYTHING HE CREATED.

HOPE THIS HELPS

[DavidHawthorne]

I want to thank the three of you for your responces. I am of the same opinion that the animals in heaven could very well include those we have known.
If only because death is an experience that neither animals nor humans were meant to suffer when we were created. It is a result of the Fall which affected all of Creation when Adam sinned. We now have hope in Christ because He came to restore all things and undo the sin of our first Parents. It seems incomplete that He would bring hope to the guilty without healing the innocent.

[michigan]

Actually, my dear monastic friend was referring not to heaven, but to paradise, meaning after the general resurrection.

[joasia]

Animals don't have souls, therefore, they cannot live after physical death with a consciousness of existing. Christ taught that we are to be judged to either enter His Holy Kingdom or bare the anguish of hades. He never mentioned anything about animals' souls being preserved there too. It's about the salvation of our souls. He came for us, not for animals. Mankind was created in God's image; animals are not.

Michigan, can you elaborate on what your friend read to bring her to this conclusion? Was she an Orthodox nun? Can she provide her resources? I would be interested to learn more, as long as they are from Orthodox saints.

Joanna