Animals Are People, Too

Illustration by John Krause

Animals Are People, Too:
Pet Heaven in Popular Books
by John P. Ferré

Mary Piper sobbed as she dug a grave for her 10-year-old English sheepdog, Eunice. She cried out to God to tell her whether she would see Eunice in heaven. She saw a flock of birds and remembered the words in Matthew—“Not one [sparrow] will fall to the ground apart from [God]” (Matt. 10:29b).

Thinking that might be a coincidence, she asked God for another sign. If I will be reunited with Eunice in heaven, Piper prayed, send a mammal. Soon a deer walked by, even though it was mid-day.

Still skeptical, Piper got even more specific. She asked God to let her see a moose if Eunice would be waiting for her in heaven. She finished burying her dog and went inside, only to hear her husband call her back to the dog’s grave. When she got there, he pointed at a bull moose 60 yards away.

Piper’s story appears in a collection of similar stories entitled God’s Messengers: What Animals Teach Us about the Divine. That collection is just one of two dozen recently published books that assure pet owners they will have eternal companionship with their beloved animals. “For people who love animals and need to know about their eternity,” explains the author of Do Dogs Go to Heaven?, “heaven means our animals will be there, too.”

John P. Ferré is a professor of communication at the University of Louisville.

Illustration by John Krause

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What could heaven be like for pets? And what does belief in pet heaven say about faith and family? Explore these ideas by reading the full text of this article in the March/April 2007 issue of Horizons!	Animals Are People, Too: Pet Heaven in Popular Books by John P. Ferré Mary Piper sobbed as she dug a grave for her 10-year-old English sheepdog, Eunice. She cried out to God to tell her whether she would see Eunice in heaven. She saw a flock of birds and remembered the words in Matthew—“Not one [sparrow] will fall to the ground apart from [God]” (Matt. 10:29b). Thinking that might be a coincidence, she asked God for another sign. If I will be reunited with Eunice in heaven, Piper prayed, send a mammal. Soon a deer walked by, even though it was mid-day. Still skeptical, Piper got even more specific. She asked God to let her see a moose if Eunice would be waiting for her in heaven. She finished burying her dog and went inside, only to hear her husband call her back to the dog’s grave. When she got there, he pointed at a bull moose 60 yards away. Piper’s story appears in a collection of similar stories entitled God’s Messengers: What Animals Teach Us about the Divine. That collection is just one of two dozen recently published books that assure pet owners they will have eternal companionship with their beloved animals. “For people who love animals and need to know about their eternity,” explains the author of Do Dogs Go to Heaven?, “heaven means our animals will be there, too.” *John P. Ferré* is a professor of communication at the University of Louisville. Illustration by John Krause Other Articles Online This Issue Too Close for Comfort Psalms of Lament Preparing for a Death in the Family Death with Dignity Animals Are People, Too Installation Service for Presbyterian Women Dispatch from Forbearance Unconventional Grace Nurturing Our Faith Supporting Mission Mosaic Health Connections	Current Issue March/April 2007 About This Issue Features PW Resources Departments FREE Resource Mar/Apr Index How to Use In Our Next Issue Items underlined can be seen in this Web site, all others appear in the March/April 2007 (HZN-07-210) issue of Horizons magazine. to Horizons, call 800/524-2612 or this issue ($4 plus shipping/handling)

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