DEAR ABBY: My cat recently passed away, and it has devastated me. He was my emotional support during some of the hardest times of my life — relationships ending, moving to different states, deaths in my family, lonely nights battling depression. My cat was my one constant source of peace and companionship. I miss him dearly.
When I mentioned to some friends that I’m looking forward to reuniting with him one day in the “hereafter,” a religious friend scoffed and laughed. She then proceeded to tell me cats do not have souls and I shouldn’t get my hopes up of ever seeing him again. I managed a small shrug and changed the subject, but on the drive home I was depressed, thinking about what she’d said.
Upon further research, I found that, according to Catholicism, she was correct, and animals do not have souls, which has made me heartbroken all over again. Should I consult a religious adviser or continue believing I’ll see my cat again?
I have to think that people who have no friends or family but do have beloved pets will be reunited with them. Lots of times, our pets are the only family we have. — MISSING MY CAT IN GEORGIA
DEAR MISSING: Your friend was insensitive to deny you the comfort of believing your soul would be reunited with that of your beloved kitty. There are many religions, and not all of them subscribe to the same philosophies. If you need reassurance, discuss this with your own religious adviser who, I am sure, has had a similar conversation with many members of his flock.
P.S. My personal philosophy is that my soul will be reunited with any soul I wish once I have shed this earthly shell.
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.
