Heaven, Conlin and Thorell agree, just wouldn't be heaven without animals. That may make sense to a lot of people today, but for many centuries, the Judeo-Christian tradition taught that animals were put on Earth primarily for human use and that they lack the immortal souls that would allow them otherworldly rewards. Heaven is where God resides, and it is something different than this world. I have no idea whether animals will be in heaven. However, many other religious groups and individuals have no doubt they will see their pets again.
Some newspapers run paid pet obituaries.
We can't place ourselves at the center. We are part of the whole. Armer was among religious leaders who blessed animals at St. Mark's earlier this month. The ritual is named for St. Francis of Assisi, a Catholic saint also revered by Episcopalians, who had a special reverence for animals. It helps us to remember the great importance of animals in our lives, those who live with us and those who don't.