I have noticed this, and it perplexes me. In the US at least, I think many people have a belief in God and heaven, without the education of what they really mean. Secular believers, if you will. More of a comfort system to get them through their day, they don't think about the ramifications of their beliefs, and probably couldn't put them down on paper in any organized fashion.

They're loved ones and just as it's comforting to think your human loved ones are still existing in some place of eternal happiness, so to it is for pets. Nonexistence, while less comforting, at least entails absolutely no suffering.

That's been going on for what seems like forever.
When mine go and when/if I announce it on my FB know for certain the likelihood of someone saying something like that is very high, even from those I know are heathen lefties.
I'm not going to correct anyone on it though.

yes like, 50 billion humans aren't enough up there. which animals get to go? is there a dress code?if some animals don't go do they go to hell? that is one hell of a bridge.

I'm not religious but I do like to believe that there is a possibility for animals to not just rot in the ground.. So I have a rainbow bridge tattoo. I know they are rotting in the ground but it makes me feel better to think that they are having fun somewhere. Doesn't bother me that us humans are rotting in the ground, but animals... I can't do it. I know I won't see them again or anything though. I know the truth, I just use it to cover my guilt of wishing I could have done more for my animals. Given them the best doctors and pamper the fuck out of them, ya know? Because they're way better than humans and deserve to be treated like royalty, in my opinion.

More comfort fantasies .

In Manhattan recently ,thousands of people turned up for the Blessing of the pets in a famous Cathedral

I don't care that much for cats but that's a good one.

It must make them feel better about themselves.