Longtime animal lovers have been “haunted” by the sounds of a cat who’s been gone for two years, prompting them to ask, do animals have souls? Do our pets stay with us in spirit? Animal advocate Cathy M. Rosenthal offers her thoughts on the subject.
Dear Cathy,
My wife has always been an animal lover, so in the 50-plus years of our marriage, we’ve had many pets that she and our kids loved. The last pet was a cat named Kasey, who lived for 18 years. We had to put him down about two years ago.
Since he passed, something strange has been happening. Over the past few years, we’ve both heard his distinctive “meow.” At first, I chalked it up to a stray outside, but that wasn’t the case.
The “meow” comes from inside our house – not outside. Then one evening, I was in the room near the spot where his litter box used to be. I heard the unmistakable sound of him scraping the litter, just as he always did before relieving himself. I know that sound well.
We are religious people who believe in the afterlife, so I am not someone who is easily swayed into thinking Kasey is calling to us from the great beyond or roaming the house as a spirit stuck between here and there. Still, the meow and the litter sound were unmistakable. I miss him, but not to the point that I would imagine hearing him. My wife feels the same. We both find it very unusual.
What do you think? I’m sure you’ve heard many stories like this, but do you really believe animals have souls, and that those who were close to us try to contact their former owners? Or are they stuck somewhere in the time/space continuum?
– Frank and Patricia, West Babylon, New York
Dear Frank and Patricia,
Wow, those are some deep questions. Over the years, I’ve heard from many pet owners who say they’ve heard a familiar meow, the sound of nails on the floor, the jingle of a collar, or, in your case, the distinct sound of litter being scratched after the passing of a beloved pet. These experiences are often so specific, so familiar, and so comforting that it’s hard to chalk them up to simple imagination.
Whether these sounds are part of memory, the energy we carry from those close relationships, or something more spiritual is something each person comes to understand in their own way.
From a practical point of view, the brain is powerful, and sometimes it may bring forward sensations deeply imprinted by routine and emotion. But for those who are open to the idea of an afterlife, as you are, it’s not hard to believe that the bond we share with our pets might transcend the physical world.
I do believe animals have souls. The unconditional love they give, the emotional intelligence they show, and the bonds they form with us seem far too powerful. As for your question about the space/time continuum, who’s to say the love we share with our pets doesn’t somehow ripple across dimensions we don’t yet fully understand?
Whether or not our pets “visit” us after death may always remain a mystery, but what matters most is how their presence – real or remembered – continues to bring us peace, comfort, and even joy.
Kasey was clearly a cherished part of your family, and I believe that kind of love leaves a lasting imprint on our souls. Whether it’s the echo of memory or something greater, I hope it brings you comfort to know Kasey is still close in some way.
Cathy M. Rosenthal is a longtime animal advocate, author, columnist, and pet expert who has more than 25 years in the animal welfare field. She fields questions as diverse as the importance of dog training to tips on moving with cats and whether animals have souls. Send your pet questions, stories and tips to cathy@petpundit.com. Please include your name, city, and state.
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