Memento Mori II:
Will there be a Rainbow Bridge?

“One day we will again see our animals in the eternity of Christ.”  attributed to Pope Paul VI, consoling a boy who had lost his dog (1978)

God will prepare everything
for our perfect happiness in heaven,
and if it takes my dog being there,
I believe he’ll be there.”  Billy Graham

INTRODUCTION—MEMENTO MORI

Several years ago I wrote an article, “Memento Mori, Thoughts on Growing Old.,”  a reflection on death.  When I published the  piece again last May, I mentioned in a reply to a comment that a pet terrier, Jack, might soon die.

Indeed, Jack did die—after a year or more of congestive heart disease. Since that time I’ve grieved.  Because my wife and I are too old to train or exercise a new dog, Jack was the last dog we will have. Will we see Jack and our other beloved pets in heaven (In the unlikely event that I make it there)?  There have been lots of answers to that question, some comforting, some not. Among the  comforting is an article, “The Rainbow Bridge,”  which I’ll discuss below.  Before doing that,  I want to give a brief eulogy for Jack.

A EULOGY FOR JACK

When we saw Jack’s picture in the weekly local SPCA ad, “Pet of the Week to be Adopted,” my wife and I knew he was the one for us.   Small, gray and woebegone, his actual appearance belied the newpaper photo.  In sum, I’d describe him as a teacup Scottish Deerhound, with a foxy face, and pointed ears rather than drooping.  But he did have the terrier personality, rather than the hound: aggressive, but friently; active, curious and intelligent.  In short, I’d describe him as a canine version of that film star of long ago, James Cagney: pugnacious when needed, but loving also.

Might we see Jack again in an afterlife?  Opinion is divided, as I explain below.

DO OUR PETS GO TO HEAVEN?

If you believe St. Thomas Aquinas, the answer to that question is “No!”  According to him, it is the intellective soul that does not perish.  Therefore man, who has such a soul, is immortal.  On the other hand, animals, including dogs, have “sensitive souls,” rather than intellective/rational.  Since only intellective souls are immortal, dogs would not go to heaven.  I wonder whether St. Aquinas ever had a pet dog.  If he had, would he have made this judgment—would his feelings  have triumphed over his intellect?

As the opening quotations suggest, not all Christians follow Aquinas.  Perhaps the best rationale has been given by C.S. Lewis in his book, “The Problem of Pain.”  Because space is limited, I won’t recount his full argument here (rather, go to this link).  The quote below gives the essence of his reasoning:

And in this way it seems to me possible that certain animals may have an immortality, not in themselves, but in the immortality of their masters…C.S. Lewis, “The Problem of Pain”

THE RAINBOW BRIDGE—THE HEAVEN FOR OUR PETS

Putting aside all thelogical arguments, I’ve found the most comforting vision to be that of “The Rainbow Bridge.” Even though it’s been a month since Jack died, it’s still hard for me to read that essay without tearing. But I’ll quote some lines for those who don’t go to the link.

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor…..but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.  You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again.

And so I hope to meet Gypsy, Bella, Momma Cat, Daddy Cat, Clifford, Toby, Jack.. and all the other creatures who gave my wife and me comfort and love.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Our grief when a pet dies is a model of the sorrow implicit in the knowledge of our own mortality.  When a pet dies,  It reminds us that  “Memento Mori,” “Remember,  you must die.”   Our rational soul, which knows of death, grieves, but we hope that God, in His Mercy, has chosen to save us through the death and resurrection of  HIs only begotten Son.