Are there pets in heaven?

Millions of people have a special relationship with animals as pets. They say that pets teach us about being natural and unpretentious. They're loyal, affectionate, and in touch with their senses. They draw out of us the ability to nurture and instill an appreciation of our physical nature in an increasingly technological world. Their very presence encourages us to escape the narrow confines of our self-absorbed egos.

Pets are always there for us. They bring laughter and a playful spirit. Children are enthralled by pets and the aged prize them for their warm attachment when everyone else seems to turn away.

To some people animals are only inferior beings put on earth to serve us as sources of food, clothing, entertainment and transportation. But to many others, animals are worth more than simply what we want to do with them.

St. Francis of Assisi held animals in high regard as special creatures made by God -- even speaking to them at times as brothers and sisters.

The highly intellectual theologian Thomas Aquinas explained the diversity of animals on earth this way: "Because the divine goodness could not adequately be represented by one creature alone, God produced many and diverse creatures so that what was lacking in one as a representation of the divine goodness, might be supplied by another."

People value their pets so much that they grieve when they die. Their death prompts quizzical concerns, such as, "Are there pets in heaven? Will I ever enjoy my pet's presence again?"

Peter Kreeft, professor at Boston College, gives an excellent insight to such questions in his book, "Heaven: The Heart's Deepest Longing."

He writes, "How much earth is in heaven? Well, remember that everything real and valuable on earth came from heaven to begin with. A cat is not merely evolved molecules in motion; it is a divine idea, a work of art, and a sign.

"It is a natural sign: it has something of what it signifies, and what it signifies is something heavenly; so there is something of heaven in a cat. And heaven does not die. God does not throw his artwork into the wastebasket; God does not make junk. All his work has eternal value. It passes through time and seems to pass away -- but it is in eternity."

For those who grieve for a recently deceased pet, I offer a prayer composed by Edward Hays:

"Lord God, to those who have never had a pet this prayer will sound strange. But to You, Lord of All Life and Creator of All Creatures, it will be understandable.

"My heart is heavy as I grieve the loss of my pet (pet's name here), who was so much a part of my life. This pet made my life more enjoyable and gave me cause to laugh and to find joy in (his/her) company. I remember (his/her) fidelity and loyalty.

"From (him/her) I learned many lessons such as the quality of naturalness and the unembarrassed request for affection. In caring for (his/her) daily needs I was taken up and out of my own self-needs, and thus learned to be of service to another.

"May the death of this creature of Yours remind me that death comes to all of us, animal and human, and that it is the natural passage for all life.

"May (pet's name here) sleep on in an eternal slumber in Your care, as all creation awaits the fullness of liberation. Amen."