My mare Zubedia and gelding Mac.
Abbott "Pete" Smith, D.V.M.
June 16, 1938 - February 22, 2010
Welcome to Milliron Monday where every Monday we celebrate the legacy of Pete Smith, D.V.M., and Milliron: Abbott “Pete” Smith, D.V.M. The Biography (Monday Creek Publishing 2017). A graduate of Colorado State University and a well-known veterinarian in southeast Ohio, Dr. Smith continues to motivate and inspire.
This weekend one of my
good friends lost his beloved stallion to colic. A sudden death, we talked
about the Rainbow Bridge and the hopes of him seeing his horse again in the
afterlife. As we search for answers, we dig for truths… do animals go to
heaven? Of course, we hope they do. However, many people, including Bible
scholars, question whether or not animals have a soul.
According to Biblesprout.com... “Animals do not have souls such as we have. Because animals have a consciousness which makes them different from plants, and because the Hebrew word nephesh in the Old Testament is used sometimes in reference to this characteristic of animals, some people would say that animals have souls. However, this is not so…”. You can read the rest of the article, as it is very long.
On the other hand, Bibleask.org says that animals do have souls… “Animals are considered souls according to the Bible '… and every living soul died in the sea' (Revelation 16:3). The Scriptures tell us that like humans, animals receive the breath of God or spirit to come alive and then they become souls. Solomon the wisest man states that "both man and animals receive the same breath." Read more here.
How can Bible scholars read the same Bible verse but conclude different scenarios? I don’t know. Too much theology, maybe. What I do know is that my horses are spiritual. They give and receive love. They are love.
I would enjoy having a conversation with Dr. Smith about this topic. What did he believe? Are his beloved animals with him in the afterlife? We can only surmise that he is riding on streets of gold.
My sincere condolences to my friend who lost his stallion. His life will be different now as he makes the journey to an empty stall. A difficult row to hoe.
Many people say they don’t want to go to heaven if there are no horses. Last year at this time, I buried my beloved gelding, Mac, in the pasture where he lived. He suffered a lethal bite from a timber rattlesnake. A healthy teenager, Mac was the epitome of health, a steady ride, and a good friend. I hope to see him again, even if in my dreams.
According to Biblesprout.com... “Animals do not have souls such as we have. Because animals have a consciousness which makes them different from plants, and because the Hebrew word nephesh in the Old Testament is used sometimes in reference to this characteristic of animals, some people would say that animals have souls. However, this is not so…”. You can read the rest of the article, as it is very long.
On the other hand, Bibleask.org says that animals do have souls… “Animals are considered souls according to the Bible '… and every living soul died in the sea' (Revelation 16:3). The Scriptures tell us that like humans, animals receive the breath of God or spirit to come alive and then they become souls. Solomon the wisest man states that "both man and animals receive the same breath." Read more here.
How can Bible scholars read the same Bible verse but conclude different scenarios? I don’t know. Too much theology, maybe. What I do know is that my horses are spiritual. They give and receive love. They are love.
I would enjoy having a conversation with Dr. Smith about this topic. What did he believe? Are his beloved animals with him in the afterlife? We can only surmise that he is riding on streets of gold.
My sincere condolences to my friend who lost his stallion. His life will be different now as he makes the journey to an empty stall. A difficult row to hoe.
Many people say they don’t want to go to heaven if there are no horses. Last year at this time, I buried my beloved gelding, Mac, in the pasture where he lived. He suffered a lethal bite from a timber rattlesnake. A healthy teenager, Mac was the epitome of health, a steady ride, and a good friend. I hope to see him again, even if in my dreams.
Have a great week ahead.
Connect with Gina
Through captivating, powerful, and emotional anecdotes, we celebrate the life of Dr. Abbott P. Smith. His biography takes the reader from smiles to laughter to empathy and tears. Dr. Smith gave us compelling lessons learned from animals; the role animals play in the human condition, the joy of loving an animal, and the awe of their spirituality. A tender and profound look into the life of a skilled veterinarian.
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