This was an article I had written for a pet column a couple years ago and recently posted on our website (www.nilesanimalhospital.com) I had received many comments about it so I decided to place it on the blog.
Several years ago, shortly after
we had moved into our new home, my wife had invited the parish priest over for
dinner and also to bless our house. The priest was Father Murphy who is a
wonderful man with a loving, compassionate and congenial nature. He and I would
banter back and forth over the years because my wife is Catholic and I am Greek
Orthodox. We would talk about our different faiths and one of my stock
wisecracks was that I did not sacrifice lambs to Zeus in the backyard anymore
so my wife was not subjected to any more of those ancient Greek traditions.
During our dinner, I came up with
a question that has always haunted me for years. I had always struggled with
the notion that animals do not have souls. Being a pet owner and animal lover
my whole life there was no better therapy for me than interacting with a
beloved animal companion. They sensed your moods and a warm, sloppy lick on
your face when you were down was the best cure for whatever troubled your
heart. You would look into their eyes and you could feel a special presence. If
souls do exist you felt that animals definitely had them. When I was attending
graduate school in Alabama
I would engage in some fairly heated discussions as to the existence of animal
souls with some pretty intense Southern Christians. They claimed, according to
the Bible, animals were placed here solely for the benefit of Man, did not have
souls and I argued against that notion. They usually dismissed me as a heretic
Yankee, but I was unwavering in my contention.
Having a man of the cloth in our
home, whom I deeply respected, I had to ask him this question that has always
troubled me. I told him of my internal struggle with a nagging question and
said I had to present it to him. He looked at me quizzically imagining what
kind of strange question I could come up with in my fertile mind. I then asked
Father Murphy what was the Catholic Church’s stance as to whether or not animals
had souls. He gave me a bemused smile and said that only Man has a soul,
animals have “anima,” the spark of life. I smiled back, stating that having
pets my entire life and being a veterinarian, devoting my life to their medical
care, my belief was quite a bit different. I told Father Murphy through my
living with and caring for animals all my life, that when I gaze into those
beautiful, loving eyes I see more than just a spark of life, I truly believe
they have souls and they deserve to be in Heaven. I further went on to tell him
that he probably thought that because I am a “pagan Greek” I was disagreeing
with the Catholic Church’s stance, but in my heart this is what I believed
deeply.
Father Murphy could have
dismissed my remarks or reacted testily like some of my Southern friends did,
but his answer demonstrated why he was so beloved by the parish. Father Murphy
flashed his trademark smile and with a bit of twinkle in his eye he gave me a
wonderful, thoughtful and simple response, “Well, Peter, one of these days we
will both find out which one of us was right.” That response further endeared Father
Murphy to me. Yes, one of these days we will find out and if I do make it to
Heaven I am hoping to see all my pets and the animals I have cared for over the
years as a veterinarian.
Will Rogers
really had it right when he said, “If there are no dogs in Heaven then, when I
die, I want to go where they went.” Even the famous author Robert Louis
Stevenson had commented, “You think dogs will not be in Heaven? I tell you, they
will be there long before any of us.”
For those of us who had the
experiences of loving relationships with companion animals know there is so
much more than just the spark of life. Animals make our lives whole and ask for
little, yet give us so much. We pet people all feel that we will all meet our
animal companions again in Heaven. And if Father Murphy is right, that it is
anima, what a wonderful, loving and powerful spark of life it is indeed.
Love it. I had a dog you never met, her name was Snarf. She passed suddenly at 7 yrs of age from lung cancer. I was in my 8th month of pregnancy. Needless to say it was NOT a good time in my life. When I pass to the other side, I'm gonna be one ticked off chick if I don't see Snarf (and my other critters) waiting for me at Rainbow Bridge.
ReplyDeleteWhatever your concept is of Heaven, as it is your Paradise, those who were important in your life will be there, obviously including your animals (Sorry, Father Murphy). Some of the people may not be so lucky and could end up in an asbestos suit, if you catch my drift.
ReplyDeleteI remember hearing in grade school that animal don't have souls.(As I get older I find the clergy lied to us about alot of other things too.) In philosophy at a catholic college we were told that the definition of a soul is "a life giving principle". It consisted of our intellect and our will. Let me tell you that my 5 dogs had an intellect and life. I asked a lady who had a near death experience if she saw dogs, she said she did. And she was never the kind of lady who would say what she thought I wanted to hear. If my dogs aren't there I'm not going.It could not be perfect peace without them.
ReplyDeleteThank you for posting this, Dr. Sakas. It brought tears to my eyes. I truly hope to one day be reunited with my loved ones who've gone before me, and that includes my pets.
ReplyDeleteGood post and Smart Blog
ReplyDeleteThanks for your good information and i hope to subscribe and visit my blog Ancient Greece and more Sicily and Sardinia thanks again admin
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteEasily, the article is actually the best topic on this registry related issue. I fit in with your conclusions and will eagerly look forward to your next updates. best cat food with taurine
ReplyDeleteI curious more interest in some of them hope you will give more information on this topics in your next articles. best cat food with taurine
ReplyDeletePositive site, where did u come up with the information on this posting? I'm pleased I discovered it though, ill be checking back soon to find out what additional posts you include. techunderworld upon trico ice wiper blade review
ReplyDeleteExtremely intriguing online journal. A lot of web journals I see nowadays don't generally give anything that I'm keen on, however I'm most definitely inspired by this one. Recently felt that I would post and let you know. ris healthcare
ReplyDeleteExtremely pleasant article, I appreciated perusing your post, exceptionally decent share, I need to twit this to my adherents. Much appreciated!. First aid courses Essex
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI thought haven’t read such distinctive material anywhere else on-line.
ReplyDeletewww.ruffhero.com
I'm continually scanning on the web for posts that will support me. An excess of is obviously to find out about this. I trust you made great quality things in Functions too. Continue working, congratulations! medical devices
ReplyDeleteThis is really an excellent blog as well as its content.
ReplyDeleteclick this site
I truly appreciate your working guys, thumbs up!!
ReplyDelete40yarddumpstercompanySan Diego
Aiman Online Quran Learning Academy is an impressive online academy for teaching the Quran.
ReplyDeleteThis leading online Quran academy from
Pakistan provides you an excellent chance to have one
to one online Quran classes with tajweed and learn the basic teachings of Islam.
That is what exactly I was looking for like duain for kids
ReplyDeletelearn quran online
you can aslso check the free tajweed courses Here.
You have done a great job on this article. It’s very readable and highly intelligent. You have even managed to make it understandable and easy to read. You have some real writing talent. Thank you. signs of glaucoma
ReplyDeleteYou have done a great job on this article. It’s very readable and highly intelligent. You have even managed to make it understandable and easy to read. You have some real writing talent. Thank you. signs of glaucoma
ReplyDeleteIt is fine, nonetheless evaluate the information and facts around this correct. custom patches
ReplyDeleteNice to be visiting your blog again, it has been months for me. Well this article that i've been waited for so long. I need this article to complete my assignment in the college, and it has same topic with your article. Thanks, great share. Barata-Komerca-Vizo
ReplyDeleteWhen you use a genuine service, you will be able to provide instructions, share materials and choose the formatting style. امریکی ویزا ESTA۔
ReplyDeletePositive site, where did u come up with the information on this posting? I'm pleased I discovered it though, ill be checking back soon to find out what additional posts you include. backlinks
ReplyDeleteDo you have an interest in online games? You can play gambling games and earn money with your interest. Yes, it is possible to earn money when you place a bet with the Satta websites like Dp Boss Online and earn money online. Many people earn money online with the 100% genuine and trustworthy platforms that are providing gambling facilities. You can place bet with the India’s most amazing Matka games like Kalyan Matka and Satta Matka. The timing for the betting is fixed and you can earn money with the predictions. Kalyan Panel Chart
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete