Goodbye Pet, and See You in Heaven: A Memoir of Animals, Love and Loss

When her beloved small dog died, Bel Mooney was astonished at the depth of her sorrow and the emptiness in her life. A woman who always thought herself entirely aware of her own feelings became unwell and confused when the small dog was no longer there. Social media posts and then a newspaper article about her feelings brought a deluge of responses. People sent pictures of their dogs and cats, personal anecdotes and stories. It was then that she decided to explore these feelings. Why do humans mourn animals? Are people absurd to fancy that their beloved pets can go to heaven, or is this another way of expressing the belief that a very special kind of love will inevitably continue after death? On her quest to discover more about pet bereavement, Bel sets off on a personal journey of discovery. She visits pet cemeteries, private and public. She watches some of her dog’s ashes being made into jewellery and is reminded of ancient reliquaries. She finds out about Ancient Egypt (where they embalmed their precious pets), about the legend of St Roch (whose life was saved by a dog), and discovers what the great world faiths think about pets and heaven.This is an intensely personal and affectionate look at the love we extend to our pets, both in life and in death.Enriched by stories and quotations, it is a book that will be treasured by anyone who has loved an animal.