Do animals experience any kind of afterlife?

[Nathan]

Question: Do animals experience any kind of afterlife? Is there (as a family member calls it) "a big field in the sky" awaiting our loved pets, or do they simply cease to exist in any way upon death?

Thanks.

[Pio Nono]

JMJ
5/25 - Pope St. Gregory VII

Nathan,

I had to explain this to my seventh grade CCD class this year; though I think I broke the hearts of a couple little girls, it's irresponsible to hide the truth from them at that age. The souls of plants and animals do not survive death - they're not built to endure eternal life. They no longer exist after death. Hope this helps.

Yours,
Pio Nono