The "Rainbow Bridge" for deceased pets

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Most pet owners are familiar with the poem about the Rainbow Bridge. It’s a nice thing to believe in, and entirely possible. But, why limit that beauty to pets only? Wildlife has its own place in the hereafter. And, certainly on the new earth. The “Rainbow Bridge” is poetic symbolism for crossing over into another realm of life. I just think it’s a beautiful concept, and because all things are possible with God, not the least bit mythical or wishful thinking. I think it’s very real.

Your thoughts?
 
Christ died for man, not for dog. (And yes, I am aware this is an unpopular opinion). I was really sad when my dog died, but this was not something I believed before and I still don’t.The Fidoist Heresy
 
JanR said:
I just think it’s a beautiful concept, and because all things are possible with God, not the least bit mythical or wishful thinking. I think it’s very real.
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I think it’s just as real as the clothes that Christ was wearing after his resurrection.
 
adamhovey1988 said:
Christ died for man, not for dog. (And yes, I am aware this is an unpopular opinion). I was really sad when my dog died, but this was not something I believed before and I still don’t.The Fidoist Heresy
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The dog has never had free will and consequently is not guilty of sin… Yes I realize I have the minority view… That has never stopped me before 😉
 
The Psalms are numbered a bit differently in my Douay version of the Catholic Bible, so if you look this up, depending on the version you have, it may be Psalm 34 or 36. In my Douay Bible, this is Psalm 35:

Verse 6: "Oh Lord, thy mercy is in heaven, and thy truth reacheth even to the clouds.
Verse 7: "Thy justice is as the mountains of God, thy judgments are a great deep. Men and beasts thou wilt preserve, O Lord;
Verse 8: “O how hast thou multiplied thy mercy, O God!”
 
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I’d never heard about ‘Rainbow Bridge’ before but googled it. How lovely to read today. We lost our loved Cavalier last Thursday after 16 years in our family and we’ve all been verging on tears since them.

I know that St Francis of Assisi has been de canonised by traditionalists for giving too much emphasis to mother earth, brother sun and sister moon, but in our family he has a special place for recognising the hand of God in the marvelous gifts He gave us. This is our beloved pup.

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I expect that wherever we ultimately are, there will be birds singing in the trees and bunnies hopping across the grass. Once you admit to “Nature,” you can hardly omit pets. I totally believe I will see my loved pets again and be with them again. How can it be Heaven without them? I think it would be pretty sterile.

Also, there are priests who believe in this, too. I have heard a couple say that you will have whatever you need in heaven to be happy. If you are missing your pets, you will have them. I don’t think it’s beyond God’s ability to reach back in time and snatch up a pet (or 20) if you miss them and need them for perfect happiness.
 
Not only that, but they take with them the love we have given them while they were here. Love is eternal, and love cannot be extinguished.
 
I’m so sorry to hear of the loss of your beautiful dog. I think we’ll all be reunited with beloved pets. Their love is so special because it’s innocent. Those who have never had this special bond with an animal just are never going to “get it.”
Blockquote : in our family he has a special place for recognizing the hand of God in the marvelous gifts He gave us.
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I think that’s why most people consider him their favorite.
 
They could still be very much a part of our happiness, there. And, on the new earth. Scripture seems to acknowledge this.
 
I’m going to respond very carefully here because both as a former Catholic and it’s a Catholic forum I have to respect that first. That said I’ll answer the question first in accordance to the church.

Pets/animals have mortal souls. The spark of life ends completely with death. There is no afterlife for Rover. On the plus side it’s not aware it doesn’t exist. It didn’t notice the two billion years before it was alive, it wont notice the ten trillion after.

Now that’s done I’m a Norse Pagan. My feelings on animals is complicated. You asked what I think:
JanR said:
I think it’s very real.

Your thoughts?
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For me a rainbow bridge is more literal then you’d expect. Last January my cat died. I believe he’s with Freyja, she is the mistress of cats.

I won’t see him again unless I die in battle but that’s another wheelhouse all together.
 
And, hypothetically, if humans were to cease to exist upon death, we wouldn’t be aware of it, either. Non-existence = non-awareness. Nothing is nothing.

If God wills it, there is a place for all living creatures in the afterlife. it’s up to God, and there are passages in Scripture that seem to confirm this.
 
I remember someone on the forums in a different thread hypothesized that there were animals in Heaven, but they lacked the Beatific Vision, and instead received perfect natural happiness in the same vein as the souls in Limbo.

That theory does a good job of keeping the human soul unique while also providing some sort of afterlife for animals.
 
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SPBlitz said:
I remember someone on the forums in a different thread hypothesized that there were animals in Heaven, but they lacked the Beatific Vision, and instead received perfect natural happiness in the same vein as the souls in Limbo.

That theory does a good job of keeping the human soul unique while also providing some sort of afterlife for animals.
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Perhaps that is why the poet uses the imagery of the natural phenomenon of the rainbow as a crossing into the state of natural happiness that animals experience in the hereafter. It doesn’t mean that humans and animals will be separated in the afterlife; it simply means they shall experience it differently, just as they experience this life differently.
 
JanR said:
Perhaps that is why the poet uses the imagery of the natural phenomenon of the rainbow as a crossing into the state of natural happiness that animals experience in the hereafter. It doesn’t mean that humans and animals will be separated in the afterlife; it simply means they shall experience it differently, just as they experience this life differently.
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It seemed reasonable to me. I always though it peculiar that god would create such a vast number of creature only to annihilate most of them. This theory provides a way for animals to tale part in the world to come while acknowledging the difference between animal and human souls.
 
Pets going to some type of “heaven” is a controversial topic on the forum. For that reason, as an animal person, I do not comment on it, other than to agree that animals are incapable of sin as they do not have free will to choose good or evil.

God is love, he loves his creation, he loves pets and he loves pet owners. He allows us to have companion animals as a way of showing his love for us. Scripture notes that God knows when a sparrow falls; certain saints have been great lovers of animals and nature. I trust in Jesus to take care of my deceased animals, and all deceased animals. I have no need to discuss the matter on an apologetics forum.
 
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I don’t find a burning need to have a theological explanation either. I just know our doggy brought so much joy and affection into our lives that we can all genuinely say that we loved her dearly. However God has it planned beyond this world that doesn’t really matter to us. We just recall her with tears at the moment, but also great joy.
 
There are some prelates in the Church today who allegedly say that about humans when discussing the prospect of eternal damnation.
 
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I try not to get involved in this topic when it comes up on CAF as it often does, but I always lose that battle and comment anyway. I don’t think this subject can be proved or disproved, but I know my own experiences and have read about others also.

I was told in a dream that my cat was going to pass away but that she’d be waiting for me in heaven. I didn’t want to believe the dream, but it came true in less than a month afterwards. I had a couple of experiences with her spirit shortly after her death.

I’ve also heard of another man who went to sleep and was told in a dream that his dog would be taken care of in heaven. He woke up to find his dog had died during the night.

Another story about a Pastor who “died” and his two pets met him in heaven.

Another story about a girl who had a near death experience and was taken to a place in heaven where her deceased parrot showed her his new home.

Do I believe? Most definitely.
 
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