"but it is a bit abrasive to aggressively know something that very well might not be so".

Isn't that the position of people of faith Amos?

Interestingly in the british "Independent" newsaper today scientists report that research shows that animals have individual personalities just like us. All those of us who own pets have known this. So, do animals have souls? Was my cat when she was put down any different to my mother when dead? I felt the loss of both personalities deeply, but either both have "souls" or neither? Take your choice.