Hi Chris,
The answer to your question of crossing before your pet is really an easy
one.  The creator of the pets wants only what is good for them.  The Being
(by whatever name you call him) wants only for our best.  Since the Being is
pure love, when you cross the rainbow bridge before your pet, you'll be the
one to say what happens.
 
Only love can come from love.  This is the reason, we have shelters for all
the unloved/unwanted fuzzies.  We didn't cause them to become unwanted, but
we are not going to let them go unloved and unprotected.
 
Marge + 6 fuzzies
[Posted in FML issue 1747]