Pet Loss Resources

Friends,

Welcome to this dimension of our church's web site.

My family and I experienced the loss of our beloved dog, Comet, about three years ago after having him as part of our family for fifteen years.  Losing Comet was tough, and we continue to miss him.  Before and since that time I have had conversations with several others whose pets have died and increasingly realize the void that that loss leaves in the lives of many people.

For some folks, this whole focus no doubt sounds silly.  But it's clearly not.  For many people the loss of a beloved pet evokes the same level of grief experienced in losing a loved one who happens to be a human being.

Our hope is that you will find the material we have pulled together to be helpful, encouraging, comforting, and hope-filled.

Grace and Peace,   

Dr. Bob Bushong
Senior Pastor/Minister of Preaching

Frequently Asked Questions

Is euthanasia for pets against the Ten Commandments?
No - the Ten Commandments were given for people.

Is it OK to grieve over the loss of my pet?
Grief is grief, whether it's the loss of a human or pet, and it needs to be handled with care.  One could expect to go through the various stages of grief which include sadness, denial, anger, guilt and acceptance and then come out on the other side.

The Loss of a Pet

The loss of a pet is often a time of intense grief for children and adults alike. Pets become part of our identity. They offer companionship, devotion, amusement, and purpose without asking whether we are worth their time. In that sense they can be a means for us to understand and experience the grace of God that loves us even at our worst. In a way that only pet owners can understand, our pets become part of our souls, leading us to ask spiritual questions and to seek spiritual comfort at their passing.

When a beloved pet dies, people often ask the question, “Will my pet go to heaven?” Many people think this is a silly question, but it is not. The question is serious and important. It may sound like a simple question about animals, but it is really a fundamental question about the very nature of God and Creation: “Does God care enough about me to love what I love?” “Is there anything sacred in Creation apart from human beings?” Those are not silly questions. “Will my pet go to heaven?” is a serious question that deserves a serious answer.

The Bible does not tell us whether or not our pets will enter heaven. But Scripture does have words of comfort for those who love the animals. The Bible tells us that animals are important to God. God created every living creature in the sea and on the land and called them “good” (Genesis 1:20-24).

When sin got out of control and God decided to destroy the earth with a flood, God chose to save the animals as well as the people (Genesis 6:19-22).

We are told that God makes covenants with the creatures (Genesis 9:12-16; Hosea 2:18), and God gave instruction for the care of animals in the laws of Moses (Exodus 23:11-12).

God even allowed the law to be broken to save an animal in trouble (Matthew 12:11; Luke 14:5).

God entrusted the care of the beasts to human beings (Genesis 1:26; Psalm 8:6-7), but God still owns them and cares for them (Psalm 50:10-11; Psalm 36:6; Psalm 104:10-22; Luke 12:6,24).

The animals, for their part, participate with human beings in praising God (Psalm 148:7-12; Revelation 5:13) and are included in descriptions of the new heaven and the new earth (Isaiah 11:6-9; Isaiah 65:25).

The Bible shows its respect for animals by referring to Jesus as the “Lion of Judah” (Revelation 5:5) or “Lamb of God” (John 1:29). Romans 8:19-23 implies that all of Creation, human and non-human, awaits the redemption of the body and will be delivered from corruption.

God’s ways are not our ways (Isaiah 55:8-9), and it might be that our pets cannot go to heaven. But God cares greatly for the animals, and the Bible tells us that God cares for people even more (Luke 12:7).

We can be sure, if there is any way that God can work it out, we will find all the pets we have ever loved waiting for us in heaven.

Used with permission from Anne Robertson.

A Prayer for the Loss of a Pet

Dear God, thank you for sending us [ name ] and for allowing her/him to be with us for a time.  She/he has been such a blessing to us, and our lives have been richer because you gave us the gift of one of your creatures.

We are sad now, because our time with [ name ] has come to an end.  It is a real loss to us, and our world does not seem as cheery and bright as it was.  Be with us in our time of grief, dear God, and accept our mourning as a form of praise for this love that has enriched our lives.  Amen.

To download this prayer as a document right click here.

Used with permission from Anne Robertson.