Why do we mourn lost pets? That’s simple; because we love them.
I haven’t been able to ascertain, definitively, whether pets go to heaven. My gut tells me the answer to this is most likely, no. I read someplace that creation eventually yearns for its own renewal. That’s a Biblical concept, but if we pay close attention to Solomon’s mention in Ecclesiastes:
Who knows that the breath of man ascends upward and the breath of the beast descends downward to the earth?
Ecclesiastes 3:21 (NSAB)
The critical observation is simple. Both the beast and man turn to dust and rejoin the ground, but the spirit of man when a believer, joins God.
I’m not really in a twist over the distinction of whether ol’ Bandit will be fetching for me in Heaven. I’m truly not concerned with such things. But I am concerned about why we hurt when we lose a pet. I believe the love for our pets is not only justified but encouraged by the Almighty.
I read a think piece that made the claim pets are less about essence and more about purpose. If you grew up on the kind of farm my Mom did, dogs were present for work. They kept coyotes at bay from tearing up piglets, calves, and chickens. And when you grew up on the kind of farm my Dad did, the same things applied with a healthy dose of fetch, trips to the creek together, and the culmination of relationships with dogs.
So, do dogs have a purpose in our lives beyond functionality? You bet. We’re not able to make the claim James offers us in Chapter 1, “Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.” without recognizing two things: They’re gifts and it all comes from Him.
Does the warm feeling of petting and stroking a calm pup come from God? Yup. What about the contentedness associated with a pet that cuddles you up when you feel down? Or maybe the happiness you experience when playing together? These affections and demonstrations of loyalty are all good things given to you by God Himself. I’m not sure which of the Greek loves a pet falls under. Maybe Philia. Agape might not be a stretch in some sense. Pets seem to offer us unconditional love more than most other living things we experience. I can’t deny that. This is a true relationship. Not one of complete reciprocity that humans share, but a relationship nonetheless.
I’m not comparing Kilo, my German Shepherd, with the attributes of God. But I will say this… My dog exhibits some of the best aspects of love and caring the Bible extrapolates, and that fury meat missile offers them unequivocally. Knowing this, am I justified in my sorrow when my pet departs? …I certainly am.
The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Psalm 34:18
Yahweh gave, and Yahweh has taken away. I am not required to like this. But I am required to accept this, count it all Joy, and be thankful. And that is what we must all do. God provides these fury friends to us and we enthusiastically place them in the “good” column of our metaphorical list of assets. We don’t often think of it this way, but we must also accept the eventual outcome. Dog lives are almost always shorter than our own.
Recall all the caring, fun, laughs, silliness, and mischief you shared with your dog! Those weren’t happenstance. Rather, experiences provided by the Lord. Revel in the memories and the warmness your heart absorbed through those meaningful moments in life. Think of them often, and smile. The journey’s end matters not; the shared road traveled will offer you continual consolation.
Enjoy what God has given you. Our love is justified and encouraged. Especially the lovingkindness of a great pet. As this is a gift from God. Put this in the correct place, mourn, and move forward. In the case of loss, Glorify God for what your pet was – a gift. THANK HIM FOR IT. You may find that having your pet, losing your pet, and mourning your pet is an opportunity, just as most things are, to be both Salt and Light. I pray you do.
