Über die Autorin bzw. den Autor

Gary Kurz is a retired Coast Guard officer who served his country faithfully and honorably for over 30 years. He and his wife have a love for animals and a concern for others who share their love. He lives in Manhattan, Kansas, near Kansas City. Visit his website at coldnosesbook.com.

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Wagging Tails in Heaven

CITADEL PRESS

Contents

Introduction........................................................11. The Animal—Human Relationship..............................72. Does God Care About Animals?.....................................153. Do Animals Have Souls and an Afterlife?..........................214. What Will Their Afterlife Be Like?...............................375. Will Animals Look Like They Did on Earth?........................436. Will Our Pets Know Us in Heaven?.................................557. Animal Communication.............................................618. Do Animals Become Angels?........................................829. The Sixth Sense..................................................10310. Can the Spirits of Animals Return to Earth?.....................13211. Understanding the Phenomenon....................................14412. Signs and Miracles..............................................16313. The Verdict on Miracles.........................................19814. Godly Comfort...................................................21315. The Sum of It...................................................23716. Final Thoughts and Encouragement................................243

Chapter One

Brevity will be one of my main objectives for this chapter. Shelves are already filled with books on the history of dogs, cats, horses, and domesticated animals of all sorts eligible for the title of "pet." I doubt that I could add anything significant to those works in just one short chapter. Instead, I simply want to give a quick overview of the history of animals from a biblical perspective, a point of view that is seldom addressed in other books.

Predictably, I take a creationism position, but I do not do so blindly. I have studied both evolution theory and creationism and have drawn my own conclusions based on all the evidence. I doubt most evolutionists and few creationists can make the same claim. Both usually follow the lead of others and dismiss the opposite point of view as myth without having studied it out for themselves. I will not discuss the differences between these two beliefs in detail here as I address them in great detail in Cold Noses, and I do not wish to be redundant.

That said, the Bible tells us that originally all animals were made to companion humankind. God even allowed Adam to name them at his pleasure. I think most of us wonder where he came up with names like aardvark and platypus, but let us not concern ourselves with that here. Animal history begins with its creation. Animal history with humankind began one day later when man was created.

When the fall of humankind occurred, animals had nothing to do with it. They suffered under the curse that was brought upon this world by man's blunder. Whether that was fair or not is not in question. It is factual. Whatever history we humans have had, animals were compelled to go along for the ride.

As a result of the curse, many of the animals turned wild. Perhaps it was not so much that they became wild, but rather that God put a fear of man into them, which more closely represents the wording in scripture. That fear exists to this day. It is even present in some domesticated animals, though they are more readily befriended than their wild counterparts.

Through the ages that fear has caused a deep schism between man and wild beast. One day that will be remedied; the fear will be removed and animals will be restored to their original state of tameness. But that too is another story for another time. Since it is the domestic animals, in particular, pets, that are the focus of our study, let us concentrate on them. In so doing, I do not mean to suggest that the creator does not similarly providentially provide for wild animals. Indeed, he does. Rather, I merely want to adhere to the intent of this book and bring understanding and comfort to people regarding their pets.

Please suffer me one additional disclaimer: when I refer to pets, I will primarily be referring to cats and dogs as they represent the majority of animals kept as pets. I am not excluding horses, pigs, goats, ferrets, and a variety of other animals and exotics that have found their way into our homes and hearts. I merely want to keep it simple by not having to name all types of pets every time I use the word. Accordingly, do not feel that the things said here do not apply to your pet simply because it is not a dog or cat. That is not so.

Animals have companioned and worked for and with humans for the duration of our time on earth. Often they have played the role of working or service animals. From sled dogs to guide animals to farm mousers, they have performed services that we could not do ourselves. When a need arose that did not fit the abilities of a certain dog or cat, science and ingenuity stepped in to develop a new or diverse breed, specifically suited for the job. Evolution may want to claim some credit here, but these changes were affected by human intervention and nothing more. Even the most elementary effort at researching the development of a particular breed will bear this out.

The average pet does no work, yet is still a contributing member of the household. How many cats have awakened the family to a smoldering fire? Who guards your home from intruders with a threatening deep growl and bared teeth? Who greets you at the door after a hard day's work with a thumping tail or soothing purr? Who keeps guard over your children?

In most Western societies, pets are an important component of the home. Almost invariably they become our closest and most trusted friends. Nothing is superficial about their devotion. They accept us as we are. It doesn't matter to them if we haven't bathed. They don't wince if we use our sleeves to wipe our mouths. They don't care if we have smoker's breath. They just want to be near us. Who could ask for a better friend than that?

In the United States over 70 million households keep pets. That boils down to about 80 percent of our homes, apartments, and mobile home parks where pets are allowed. The pet industry has doubled in size and revenue twice in the last decade. There are radio talk shows, cable television shows, and community activities all dedicated to celebrating these wonderful personalities we call pets.

Across the United States there has been a substantial increase in no-kill shelters and rescue organizations as society becomes increasingly more aware of our debt to these wonderful, loving creatures. People are getting involved and contributing to the welfare of animals like never before. And I for one say, "It's about time." We owe them so much.

Many statues of and monuments to hero dogs and horses are found across this great land that they helped make so great. Museums, websites, magazines, e-zines, and myriad other initiatives that honor these noble friends of humankind are innumerable. Books, comic strips, poems, and songs have been dedicated to recognize collectively their importance to our culture. Again, it is about time. Special tributes are made to police and military K9s that gave their all to protect officers and soldiers. Even animals that were not heroic in a combat sense of the word are often given great honors. Take for instance the story of the passing of a dog named Shackles.

I will not give you...