My beliefs can be hard to explain so let me start with I don't believe in "God".

I believe in energy and how it relates to the soul. I believe that the soul is the spark that gives life. Anything that is alive be it human, animal, or plant has a part of this "soul energy."

Now when we die our body breaks down. That I understand but what happens to the soul? Where does it go? For that matter where did it come from?

Here's where I sound crazy. I believe that in the beginning all of that "soul energy" was in one collected source. I believe something happened and it got broken up. I believe bits of it reside in every living thing as the soul that makes us alive. When we die I feel it has to go somewhere. I believe it is constantly being broken and clumped together as different bodies require a different amount. A flower needs less than a human who needs less than a redwood tree.

I think this explains alot. How people can know past events or have slightly speical abilities we can't explain. It explains ghost as parts of soul that haven't made it into anything. It explains why some people feel so messed up since they are collections of alot of tiny pieces that have been shoved together. Why we just connect to some people.

Think of the oringal source as a puzzle. One person is a complete corner piece. They feel pretty complete and some day one of the edge peice people comes along and they feel so connected because those parts were so close before. Some people are just tiny parts of the puzzle that were so far apart that they don't fit together in harmony.

I believe heaven will be one day when somehow all of this "soul energy" comes back together into one being and isn't torn apart anyone to make so many people, plants, and animals.

Yeah that is problay as clear as mud and completely crazy to many people. I know it's different but it's what I currently and have felt for many years. Maybe one day I'll see things different but it just makes since to me with what all I've personally experienced and learned.

In case you haven't seen it, here is a classic poem about what happens when animals die.

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

Oh, my dogs are all playing together in doggy heaven, looking down on me ... barking their heads off (laughing) cause now they have better food and toys and beds to sleep in... and they are telling me they are happy and they are thanking me for the time they could enjoy with me...

Now what will happen to me in after life, I will be coming back as Aergia and she's coming back as Acra... sweet sweet revenge, but she will not be as clever as me, the real Acra... or i might be coming back as SO and he will be Me in the next live and we will be together again... }:)

jokes aside, never really thought about it, the Bible is very clear on what will happen and what not, I simply belief in that.

I don't believe there is anything after death, scientifically speaking. Yet there were fewmoments when I fell that my son-in-law (unexpectedky died last year) is somewhere there and is happy that DD is doing ok. It happens in certain weather. Bright sunny days. Strange feeling. Hard to explain. But logically speaking I think there is nothing there, it's not very comforting I know.

Sorry about your cat

I am so sorry for your loss. Our fur babies are so special.

I'm so sorry to hear about your furbaby. I absolutely believe that animals have souls. If they've got a personality, they've got a soul. Just IMHO.

I'm so sorry, Puzzled. I had an older kitty who died several years ago. I felt the same void. I remember feeling like I had a big hole in the middle of my chest. It was so real that I actually felt as if I looked down I would be able to see through to the other side! That's how vivid that feeling was. So no matter what you're feeling, you're not going crazy. Many people are hit with feelings of guilt over things they think they should or should not have done. Be assured, you did the best you could.

As far as what happens, we really have no way of knowing. But in my medical career I can tell you there are so many things we cannot explain. Like the experiences of people who have lost loved ones and felt their presence. Who are we to say that is not real? I am also familiar with energy work and other forms of non-traditional healing. I can't help thinking there is something to it that we cannot explain. Something that may involve the spirit of living things that have gone before us.

I just remain thankful for the unconditional love I had from my kitties and that I was able to give them good homes.