Can animals be with their owners in the hereafter? There is no revealed word on this subject. Reason would tell us that a rancher or farmer may not want all of the cattle he has owned during his life. On the other hand, emotional ties may be honored and family pets may well be restored to their owners in the resurrection, Elder Orson F. Whitney wrote that Joseph Smith expected to have his favorite horse in eternity. (Improvement Era, August 1927, p. 855.) [“Where do animals fit in the eternal plan of things?“]
Clark’s and my first ‘furbaby’ passed away last night. This was unexpected. I immediately went through a range of emotions from shock and then guilt, thinking thoughts of ‘did I take care of him good enough? did I do anything wrong? did I miss something?’ I felt guilty for all the moments I got mad at him… I went through a long list of all things I could have done better or wish I didn’t do… I prayed for forgiveness and asked Heavenly Father to please help me forget that which I have been forgiven of and only remember that which I still need to repent of… soon after I had a blanketing feeling of peace. I stopped crying and then the thought came to mind that Hero, in his own way of sacrifice – has given me a gift. Through his memory I have the opportunity to be a better person. A better ‘momma’ to my pets and a better friend/daughter/sister/wife to others. What I learned is that it’s not the decisions that we make that matter – those all can be forgotten, but how we react to those decisions that make a lasting impression on ourselves and others. We will always find something that we could have said or done better, but it’s meaningless if we don’t learn from our past and create a better future.
I’ll miss our big buddy, so many fond memories have been lived with him as a loyal companion. I have to say my favorite is of him almost always joining me for a long walk in the sunshine. He was always a watchful and tender buddy. As this painting illustrates, I like to think of my older brother Chip coming and picking up Hero to take him to Heaven to join the other family cats. I hope with all my heart that I’ll be able to have him again someday. Until then I’ll treasure the lesson he’s taught me, and all the fond memories we had together. ♥
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