The following was written by our friend, Gregory Benton, and is reprinted from his spiritually rich and beautiful Piddingworth blog. His essay offers great comfort and hope for all those who have ever loved a pet.
The relationship between humans & their pets.
Saint Francis of Assisi 'I'm sick and tired of people treating their pets like chldren', the talk-show host huffed, in response to a caller who spoke of taking their dog with them 'everywhere they go'; including dinners at friends. 'Dogs are not children. Leave them at home. The dog wasn't invited!
Of course, one could equally argue that people oughtn't to take their children with them to dinner parties unless they too are invited.
The confusion really is more of the nature of the relationship between the pet owner and the pet rather than of proper manners when replying to a social invitation. Of course, it would be discourteous to one's hosts and any other guests if one arrived with Fido or Pussy unannounced. Nevertheless, it's not Fido or Pussy's fault that their keepers have bad manners. And that leads to an important reality about animals that many either forget or simply do not understand: animals are innocent creatures!
It is perhaps ironic that, in a materialistic age, that in most respects does not recognise the metaphysical nature of creation, allows for things like 'animal rights' or 'pet cemeteries' with an allusion to 'pet heaven'. It is fairly common to find people who deny the nature and reality of their own souls but who 'feel' that their pets will go to 'heaven'. Indeed, it's quite possible in the Creator's scheme of things, that Fido might well be included in the beatititude of joy in heaven whilst his owner is left in the 'doghouse'.
Soul Creation
'Anima' in Latin means 'soul'. All animals are creatures with souls...including humans. This is where the animals 'rights' people find their authority toward advocating that all animals be accorded something akin to the United Nations declaration on Human Rights. Bunnies would, therefore, have a legal right to food, shelter and, one supposes, universal health care run by some union.
