We’ve all been there, your pet is sick or injured and you feel the same emotions as you might feel for a close relative or friend.  If you are totally honest, your emotions might be running even more deeply for your pet; cats and dogs rarely turn on their owners, while some relatives and friends might find it hard to claim the same loyalty.

While the emotion is real, the larger question is the ethics of such an evolved belief system where one calls out to a superior being for that animal’s aid.  I am reminded of an afternoon several years ago when my daughter sent my grand-daughter to me with a question far beyond her comprehension.  She was about six and was sobbing; her religion teacher told the class that while a pet’s devotion is admirable and meaningful, the fact is, as a question of Christian belief that lesser animals did not have a soul and therefore could not go to heaven.  Instead of staying the cool headed, Jesuit educated theologian, I totally lost my centering. My first reaction was, “Who is this person who dares to address such a weighty matter of faith with first graders; did she have an advanced degree in religious studies? What was her insight that could back such a dictum?

I realize that to some, this is a rather frivolous issue when set against the backdrop of other religious liberties, but once you get past that initial reaction, you have to face the fact that it has been a question debated for millennium. The teacher’s position was based on an ill conceived belief that only humans have souls, thus life after death is limited to them alone. A few obvious points seem to counter that belief.  Angels, for example are clearly not “human” and by every definition, subservient to humans. That was the position that allegedly caused the original rift between Lucifer, God first chosen among the angels, and the Almighty, after God relegated the heavenly host to the protection of earthbound man.

Beyond that argument we have the entire issue of the Catholic tradition of honoring domesticated animals each October 3^rd, the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, the 11^th century theologian and founder of the Franciscan order of priests and monks. For all his major accomplishments as a priest, theologian and scholar, he is most remembered as the Patron Saint of Animals.  It was said that Francis would sit in the gardens of his friary in later life and animals of every description would flock to his side, where he would speak to them and they would respond in turn.

Another fact that scratches at the theology that might set animals apart from the grand plan is the fact that to this day, several religions of standing, including the Catholics, Jews, Greek Orthodox and Muslims all agree that possession by a demon is possible, in humans, their dwelling and their animals.

Falling further back in the theological history of Christianity, the early symbols of the new church included the dove and it was said that in that form, the Holy Ghost visited our world.  Whether you believe any of that or not is immaterial; what is important is the fact that every major religion has included the symbolism of animals and included them in their belief structures. The fact that some errant Pope decided that animals were devoid of a soul is at best illogical.  The greatest minds of the church have wrestled with the concept of the soul, so how can any one man argue the possibility of the existence of a soul in other animals. Meanwhile, all agree that angels are already in heaven, as is the Holy Ghost. So why not the animals of the field and our own beloved pets.

If anything, I might argue that from my perspective our pets do not need our prayers, simply because as the good Jesuits taught me, one can only commit a sin if they are conscious that it was wrong in the first place. I’ve never know an animal that consciously committed a sin, thus they might be seen as pure before God, whatever God you follow.

So, is it acceptable to pray for the well being of an animal?  Can you pray that they are without pain?  I believe the answer is yes, based on both philosophical and purely canonical grounds, that require more space than I have here. Do I believe that our cherished pets will be waiting for us when we go to the other side?  I do, and I do not say that lightly or without contemplation; if anything I freely admit that whatever heaven might be, it would be a far less attractive place without our dogs, cats and other animals.  They were created by the Almighty as we were and an all knowing deity would not have it any other way!