For as long as people have had cats, they have wondered if cats do, too.
see more Lolcats and funny pictures
The concept of “the soul” is an extraordinarily powerful one. When we love a living being, who loves us back, we recognize both the individual who is unique and irreplaceable, and our own longing that this love, of whatever kind, would not end when the living being does.
Since the love does not go away, it only takes another form; it would seem that perhaps the loved one does go on. By taking another form. By taking with them that which inspired so much love.
Which would be their soul.
Our global society has taken great strides in understanding the physical world; we take pictures from space and make coffee in the microwave. These are readily understandable through “cause and effect,” because all the pictures from space link up with each other and look identifiable from different distances, and coffee gets hot in the microwave.
“Believing” in outer space or microwaves is not considered an option when there is so much abundant evidence that they do exist. While we may not completely understand how a rocket manages to escape the earth’s gravitational pull, or how microwaves are created in our kitchen, we are satisfied that the end result occurs whether we understand it, or not.
Someone does, or it wouldn’t be happening.
Because the existence of souls does not have such readily available, real world, evidence, it remains a source of controversy. Over the course of human history, religions rise and fall around theories on how soul mechanics might work… and influencing our views on whether a cat would have one.
Since it is a matter of belief anyway; I do think cats have souls.
Are not cats unique individuals? Don’t they love and are loved? Can’t they sense our moods and offer compassion and understanding?
What would our souls be; if not made of such stuff as this?
In life, we might like mustard or ketchup, prefer delicate antiques or fat chairs of mongrel design, dance to mazurkas or sway to Mozart. These are all unique expressions we make based on the choices we have before us.
In another time and place, we would have made different choices. But we would still be us. What drives us can take its final shape through genes and our environment, but individually driven we still are.
Since cats are also unique in their expression, different in their designs, and vary through their inheritance and their interactions to become separate and distinct personalities; I don’t think it’s stretching an observation to see the same drives flowing from the same source.
The impetus behind the soul searching is the same no matter what living being we have managed to connect with in such a profound way. We ask upon each loss; Will we see each other again?
Each person finds their own path to answering that question.
We should all remember that souls are only expressed in physical bodies for a short time. So if souls do continue, it is in the form of memories, emotions, and feelings.
These are things that may not require a structure of carbon and chemicals to exist; such a structure may only make these things easier to express.
“Belief” may not matter to souls. Like outer space and microwaves, these are things that existed before we were aware of them. And will continue on whether we are aware of them, or not.
So if we feel any living being still within our heart, if we think we sometimes pick up on their presence, it might be that we are simply wishing this were so. Or it might be that more solid, more physical, more proven methods of detection are not to be based on our five physical senses. Such thoughts are often attributed to our “imagination.”
But our five physical senses have been established to be transient in the very nature that we, in turn, use to notice what it is that they notice.
If we have indelible, indestructible souls, then what those souls touch are made of the same indelible, indestructible, indefinable materials.
It is these other “senses,” so difficult to define and yet so difficult to discount, that we are using to become aware of something we have few and futile words for.
That might be a simple consequence of having two sides of our brains. The logical, rational, side, the one which puts cameras on the moon and coffee in our microwave, is also the side which has a speech center. It is the side which can put things into words, understands how to use physical efforts towards a physical end, and will communicate the results in words with other logical, rational, brain sides with speech centers.
We have a whole other half of the brain where we create art, channel passionate attachments to ephemeral concepts, and share lofty appreciation for such non-physical objectives as fairness, kindness, beauty, and love. Such things exist; and they dwell in our imagination.
This side does not have a speech center. It expresses itself in feelings.
If we are to detect and connect with the souls around us; emotions are the way we would do it.
Look at these images from the Hubble Space Telescope! Listen to music. Want some coffee?
If you are a Pink Floyd fan, this is also a lovely one.
I have always found it extraordinary how much we can love cats, and how much they can love us. Sharing love is its own purpose, and its own reward.
Because there are no small souls.
Only small creatures.
The toughest part of having a cat is deciding to say goodbye. Find help in my posts on coping with end of life issues.
Got here from a Link or Search?
There’s more ways to care for our cat with The Way of Cats than the article you are reading now. See all of my posts on mourning our cat.
Two hours ago, I took my 12.5 year old cat, Thomas, to the vet for the final time and for the first time in 25 years, I don’t have a cat to come home to, so I am in unchartered territory. When I gave Thomas one last long cuddle before burying him, a small contented purr slipped out. I suppose the Vet would say there was still air in his lungs – however, for me, it was the last sound my lovely boy made and I’ll never forget it.
Oh, Anita, I’m so sorry. It’s almost as though I wrote that post for you.
I get asked this question all the time. It’s nice to know they are still out there, somewhere, though our sorrow in the NOW is still very difficult.
What a sad day for you! I am so glad Thomas was able to say goodbye to his loving mom. I hope you have someone there to cuddle you. I am so glad you shared this touching story.
I lost my sweet little Opie 6 weeks ago; he was just a year and a half old. He was having a small growth removed inside his ear and the vet tech that was suppose to be watching him after the surgery, wasn’t in the room. He suffocated due to swelling.
Oh, Laura, so young. And to have it happen through carelessness is especially upsetting.
Dear Laura,
What a sad story and how traumatic for you. I am so sorry. On the day you posted (July 27) I saw my one year old Zoe for the last time. She went out in the early evening and never came back.
It seems especially awful when we lose a young one. Do you have any other cats at home to comfort you?
Such a sad story.
I wrote a post on my blog about a lion that reincarnated as a cat you might like to read this:
http://www.catsweloveyou.com/blog/a-story-about-a-cat-and-reincarnation
Puffin my beloved cat companion, the cat in the story showed me that love never dies. I know that now. I have since worked with other animal communicators who can contact animals who have passed into spirit.
I am so sorry for your loss.
Gillian´s last [type] ..Tom Cat Tales
i took my 13 year old mrs bigglesworth to the vet yesterday for the last time ,she had cancer of the mouth ,she died quickly in my arms and when i moved her she was lighter then air ,lighter then she was when we went in. this tells me her soul left and went on.i miss her so much, and i hope she visits once in a while to say hi,i know she understood me when i explained everything to her,i could see it in her eyes, she was so calm ,oh my god i miss her so much! it hurts so much the pain and i am sure in time the pain will subside and i will be able to think of her without the sadness that i am drowning in now .thank you for the other stories it felt good to read them and know my pain is normal and i will heal! mrs bigglesworth will be missed by mommy(me) my sons taylor and tristan , auntie scarlett and daddy(paul) and her baby tigger we love you girl and i will see you on the other side biggs!
I firmly believe cats have souls, just as we do. I’m not sure we could choose to come back as a cat or vice versa, but we definitely share the commonality. Cats can be incredibly wise animals too – almost as if they’ve been round a few times just as we have.
Allison´s last [type] ..Interactive cat toys the best cat toys to buy online today updated Fri Oct 22 2010 1:37 pm CDT
i think that there is a difference between a spirit and a soul. it makes more sense to say that animals have spirits, not souls.
through all manner of religions, there is the prevalent belief that souls are judged. you have to ask yourself: are cats judged as good or bad and accordingly rewarded or punished in the afterlife? if the answer is no (after all, they are animals, not people; they aren’t capable of things like murder or rape), then what you really think is that they have some eternal aspect that goes on after the body is dead but that isn’t judged. by definition, that can’t be a soul, but it can be given the more general term of, “spirit.”
if you start saying that cats have souls, then you may well start feeling responsible for their eternal well-being, since souls are judged. spare yourself this and just understand that cats (and all other forms of life, i believe) have spirits, not souls.
Yes, I agree that cats have spirits not souls….
My beloved male Persian cat “Lucky” just died a few weeks ago…he was going to be 22 years old this January…
He had kidney failure, and was developing many other health disorders….I tried hard to fight the battle of health with him….had to give him many treatments on my own and working with the Vet.
It was an expensive process, and my beloved pet just hated the needles and medicine….In mist my treatment for him I over-looked some medication which caused his death….I feel so guilty of not being there for him when he passed-away…I had to work, and still remember that terrible day when I rushed home to find his lifeless body….
I feel that he is still around and don’t know if he is happy or mad that he is not with me….
I am trying to find peace in my mind and heart that he has forgiven me….I will never forget him, and sad that he is not with me…How can I get over his loss….
I am alone and sad most of the time…..Will I get over him, or do I need help!
You did wonderfully by Lucky; 22 is an incredible age for a cat. It was his time; and his life had become one of pain. Forgive yourself; as I’m sure he has.
You don’t need to be alone and sad anymore. You just need to give yourself permission not to be.
Thank you so much WereBear….your message is helping me….I’ve done all I could….but it was not enough to keep my pet “Lucky’ alive for much more time…
He would have delvoped some other problems….the Vet told me his Kidney was at 5 %…..But, I thought I could beat this, and make him well so he could live more years…..I realize now that it was a hard thing to do…But, I still miss him..and wish he was with me….I am letting him go, and find he is in peace…This is making me feel better….Do you think I will ever get over him…we were so close for many years…I still feel guilty that I was the one that made him die…
Thank you so much for the needed response…
All the best wishes to you for 2011….
Carmine,
I can feel your pain!! I as well just lost my baby “Lucky” who was 15 1/2 years old from kidney failure to :’(. Like your baby my baby was one of a kind, we had such a close bond. I had my baby since he was 3 days old. He was always with me throughout the day and would sleep with his arm wrapped around my neck at night. Words can not descripe how much I love and miss him. I made the decision to have him put down because his quality of life was no more.
. Just as we will think about them from time to time as the years pass.
I tried everything possible to save him. I took him to four different doctors, hopsilized him, gave him medication two times a day, cooked for him, and gave him an IV once a day. I spent thousands of dollars but nothing I did worked. Making the decision to put him down and actually doing it was one of the hardest decisions of my life, my heart literally ached.
I know our babies love us just as much as we love them and understand we did all within our power. I believe they are just like us they get tired of fighting and accept they must move on. I know I would not want to live in pain everyday, have pills shoved down my throat 2x’s daily, needless and liquid stabbed into me everyday ,and then have no energy to do the things I loved. This is not a quality of life for anyone or anything.
As much as I miss my angle kitty I know he is now in a better place and is no longer suffering in pain. I will always love him and will never forget him!! I can understand how you feel guilty but don’t your baby Lucky knows you loved him so much. To me it sounds like he held on as long as he could to prove to you how much he loved you. I find comfort to believe that one day when our times comes we will be reunited with them. As you said you believe they have spirits…… so course your baby will be with you in spirit. It is not because he is upset it is because he loves and misses you. They have been with us for so long it is just as hard for them as it is for us. I believe they as well have to feel at peace before they go do what ever it is they do in kitty heaven. I think they will always occasionally pop in and check in on us at times
I have taken classes in communicating with spirits at a spiritualist church. I have experienced the spirits of a pet dog and a pet bird. If those animals survive after death I am certain cats do too.
If you are interested in learning more about the afterlife have a look at this web site:
http://sites.google.com/site/chs4o8pt/summary_of_evidence
i lost my ritz due to gettin hit bye a car i cried like a baby she didnt hurt no one i just wish i can turn back and hug her my daughter miss her meowing when shes cries
Hi, it is so hard to say anything. I had lost Sisi on November 16, 2010 around 9:00 AM. She died in my lap and we were on the way to the vet. She had cancer. She was 10 years and 3 months old and she was not fixed. She had 2 surgeries because of the cancer and I think that the second one made her feel worse. She passed away four months after the second one and she fought just because she loved us, for three years with cancer.It is my fault that I could not make her live longer and better. I did not want to fix her because it did not feel right. i could not give her a mate, because her mom died when she gave birth. I know I made many mistakes and I cannot bring time back and correct them. I will never forgive myself. She gave everything she could to please us ans I feel like I did not give her enough at all. I am not the same person since she is not here. I miss her, I love her, I cannot be without her. we all miss her a lot. Words cannot tell it all. My heart will always be in pieces. I prayed to God, or whoever is up there, to take 10 years of my life and give them to her, just to have her longer, but no… I guess he needed her more than me, which is IMPOSSIBLE. May be it was time for her to be something else, not a cat. but she was actually an ANGEL in a body of a cat. They all are ANGELS. I believe in life after death. I am just praying now and I will pray everyday, to be with her again one day. To have the luxury of having her next to me again. I just want her to have everything I could not give her, she deserves everything in the world, and I need her to know that I love her from the bottom of my heart, or whatever has left from it. And she will always have a very special place in every single cell of my soul. She is forever wit me. My family misses her a lot as well. They always will. And we will be waiting for her to come back in our lives again. We love you, Sisi. Words are not enough to express what we feel for you, my love.
After 16 and a half years my cat had taken ill last week. We took him to the vet and he was diagnosed with cancer. He had stopped eating and drinking and we knew he was aware of what was happening. We were advised to give him water ( by syringe ) to keep him hydrated. We tried this and he really wasn’t interested in it. Rather than prolonging things we decided to put out food and water for him to be used at his will. I had a talk with him and assured him that all was okay and to let us know when he is ready to go. For a couple of days he sat and slept away from us, mainly looking out the window. Finally on Saturday evening he layed on his side and let out a final meow. I picked him up and held him as he passed. He let out a couple of sighs and I assured him all would be OK and go to sleep. he died in my arms and did not seem to be afraid. I don’t think I ever would want to be put in this situation, but I would not trade it for anything as I told my kitty I would be there for him till the end. Some friends have said Poopie was almost human. My thoughts on this is he was more than that he was beautiful. He will be missed dearly.
My little cat Nelson died last week. He went out one evening, as he always did, never to come home. He was struck by a car and died. He was an unneutered male cat, so when he didn’t return home at first, I thought he might be off chasing ladies. However, after a couple of days, I began to worry and went searching for him, and found him by the side of the road. I took him home and buried him. He was only 10 months old, and just getting a start in life.
He was very friendly and cuddly, and would follow me around wherever I went, always about 6 feet behind me, trotting along.
I am utterly heart-broken and guilt-ridden, thinking that I shouldn’t have let him out that night. Of course he loved being outside, and it could have happened anytime. I can still picture him prowling around in the grass, ready to pounce on anything that would move. He was unlike any cat I’ve ever seen, and he would wag his tail incessantly like a dog.
I miss him so much, and want to believe I will see him again in heaven. I will always love him and never forget him. Rest in peace, and God bless you, Nelson.
My Kitty Kat. TT> was a @ 2 year old Tuxido short hair domestic male. The cyottes out in our back 40 got him a couple of weeks ago. He was an indoor/outdoor kitty and loved his hunting night time freedom! He was dumped on our paito one snowy , cold January day when he was @ 2 months old, starved and almost frozen to death. We rushed him to our vet. and then nursed him back to health. He was so sweet and followed me all around inside and outside only about a step behind me talking to me all the while. (a real wind bag) he had to have his freedom to roam his/our 40 acres in the pacific northwest on the Canidain border in North Idaho. He loved the seasons, summer heat and especally our harsh, deep winter snow. he used to burrow through the snowbanks that I left with the snowblower like a mole again talking all the while to me!. He would/did have it no other way, that was his life an indoor/outdoor kitty. My question is this; I want to know how that I get over loosing my little boy. (The Tennessee Tuxedo ) ????? Could someone who knows help me start to heal a broken heart. Thank you, and TT. I will see you in the ‘Other Life’ someday…….. ‘The Mafia Man’.