by Sam Costantino

Created on: October 13, 2009   Last Updated: October 14, 2009

Do Animals Have Souls ?

I read recently that 47% of dog owners believe that they will meet their pets in the Hereafter. Also, Sylvia Browne, the well-known psychic, has published All Pets Go to Heaven, thus proving that all animals do have souls.

The implications of the truth of this belief are astounding.

Let's assume that these 47 of every 100 pet people are correct and that their little furry guys have souls. Does that end it? What does having a soul mean to Butch the beagle?

It probably means, bear with me now, that Butch and his soul may belong to some kind of animal religion.

What would be the point of having a soul, going to Heaven, if all that stuff wasn't attributed to following the tenets of some religion?

Given that premise, we ask some questions.

Do dogs follow canine commandments, say pet prayers, observe holy days, have priests/rabbis/ministers/etc. Do they honor saints? Wear medals on their collars?

Following this line of reasoning, one must wonder whether there are different religions comparable to Protestantism, Judaism, Catholicism, Islam, etc. And if there are different animal creeds, how did they become different? What events caused the schisms? Were there martyrs in each of the religions? Was there persecution? Did Dobermans push Dachshunds around? Step on their ears and such?

So many questions, in fact, that we probably should, as rulers of the Earth, make some determinations so we may settle any doubts we have and go on with our more important business.

Therefore, we will assume that animals do indeed have souls.

They appear to be religious beings prone to many periods of meditation. Witness the numerous periods of inactivity that pets exhibit throughout the day.

They may have a set of rules or commandments to which they attempt to adhere. Primary among them is "Thou shalt not bite thy master or mistress or anyone who has an attorney."

Prominent also are the rules against toileting in inappropriate places, licking ones personal parts, making loud noises, using appropriate drinking facilities, etc.

Honoring thy father and mother is difficult for most animals, so I imagine this directive is replaced by the veneration of creatures such as Lassie and Snoopy. Representations of these icons are easy and should include those dogs playing poker.

They all get a pass on the adultery thing, although amorous attention to human extremities is a definite no-no.

Of course, there is the reward for living an exemplary animal life. Animal Heaven.

Animal Hell is the other part of that concept, but given the increasing hostility to anyone being unkind to any critters, it's a concept that we shall not explore.

Back to Heaven.

What would heaven be? Endless fire hydrants, balls, bones, having unlimited hind ends to sniff ? Is animal heaven sectioned off for thoroughbreds and mongrels, or even by breed?

So many questions regarding our fuzzy friends, which probably never will be answered.

Why not, you ask? Because no one really cares.

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