Today, I found out that one of my childhood pets, Cookie, died two and a half weeks ago. (I haven't seen my family since a couple days before she passed away, and they wanted to tell me in person.) She'd been really sick for a while, so we knew it was coming.. they said she died peacefully in her favorite spot under the piano. They think it might have been cancer. So I'm glad her misery is over, but I'll certainly miss seeing her scamper around my family's house!
To be honest, I was a little surprised by the way this news affected me. I knew I would be sad when her time came, but I didn't think I'd tear up over it, or that I'd need a few hours to sort of process it. So I guess that's why I'm writing this blog post; to honor a good pet.
God made humans higher than the animals and gave us dominion over them. We should recognize and affirm this arrangement. The way to do this is by regarding animals as objects to be used, like a chair or a plate. So we shouldn't treat them any better than a chair or a plate, and we shouldn't be sad if they die. Being sentimental about them is being too worldly.
ReplyDeleteIf someone you loved gave you a chair, and then someone tore it up, wouldn't you be sad/angry? God gives us animals to care for and to keep us company. She is within her rights as a human, and even more within her rights as a Christian, to mourn the loss of an animal friend.
DeleteAnd you said that why? Sounds hurtful and self righteous to me.
DeleteI disagree! God placed the animals under our care.
ReplyDelete- We are supposed to care for our animals
"A righteous man cares for the needs of his animal, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel" (Proverbs 12:10)
- We must pay careful attention to our animals
"Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds." (Proverbs 27:23)
- God cares about the animals - He takes time to feed them:
"Look at the birds of the sky: They don’t sow or reap or gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you worth more than they?" (Matthew 6:26)
I agree, Alex. I have had two cats die in my life, both times I was sad and needed time to process it. I spent time with them, cared for them, and had them since I was young. Of course it's sad when they die because they were a part of your life, your growing up time. I would like to believe that a God who knows me and my heart inside and out would understand that.
ReplyDeleteWow, these arguments are totally logical and make perfect sense! And doesn't the Bible also say that not a sparrow falls without God knowing? I was wrong and my thinking has been corrected in this matter. Thanks!
ReplyDeletethere was a horse that i have had since i was born and the worst part is finding them dying not finding them dead
ReplyDeleteOh, that sounds really difficult. I'm sorry you had to experience that. :/
DeleteI cried when my childhood dogs died. I didn't think I would but it was hard. Sorry for you loss. Don't regret crying.
ReplyDeleteMy . . . childhood . . . cat . . . was . . . named . . . Cookie . . . ! :'(
ReplyDeleteMy dog got some severe internal injuries last year and he almost died. I thought I was going to cry forever....
ReplyDelete