A Tree For Ping Ping

I finally laid Ping Ping to rest today. I planted a tree right next to him, one which will bear beautiful pink flowers. I hope it will grow quickly and bloom quickly - I will take that as a sign that Ping Ping not only lives on but that he remembers me. Of late I have been mulling over that - whether they live on after death. Or do they stop existing altogether? If a pet lives on then how about all the animals we eat!!? This kind of thing never bothered me until I kept pets.