DO PETS GO TO HEAVEN?

DO PETS GO TO HEAVEN? Is a question I am asked. In response I share the following.

CHARLEY LEFT US (Written Tuesday, July 24, 2012)

Revelation 19:11-16 And I saw Heaven opened. And behold, a white horse! And He sitting on him was called Faithful and True. And in righteousness He judges and makes war. And His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head many crowns. And He had a name written, one that no one knew except Himself. And He had been clothed in a garment dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies in Heaven followed Him on white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, so that with it He should strike the nations. And He will shepherd them with a rod of iron. And He treads the winepress of the wine of the anger and of the wrath of Almighty God. And He has on His garment, and on His thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.

  Charley stayed with me a few times during his years. A real pal, we had fun together. He especially liked it when we sat outside and I brushed his coat with our old horse grooming brush.

  The big Golden Retriever’s personality drew people to him that said they didn’t like dogs.

  I last saw him Sunday evening. No longer powerful and fast, he was gaunt. Though no longer running, his mouth gaped as he panted for breath. He stood before me seeking relief as he constantly shifted the weight of his pained body from one leg to the other. Charley’s eyes looked deep into mine, pleading for help. I couldn’t help the poor fellow. I could only weep as I do now.

  Yesterday morning Charley departed this life.

  Is Charley in heaven laying at Ann’s feet now? Will Dawn and John see their beloved puppy again?

  The essay below from GotQuestions.org explains biblically we don’t know for sure. But, with the writer, we do hope so.  EBB4

"Do pets / animals go to Heaven? Do pets / animals have souls?"
  The Bible does not give any explicit teaching on whether pets/animals have “souls” or whether pets/animals will be in heaven. However, we can use general biblical principles to develop some clarity on the subject. The Bible states that both man (Genesis 2:7) and animals (Genesis 1:30; 6:17; 7:15, 22) have the breath of life. The primary difference between human beings and animals is that humanity is made in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:26-27), while animals are not. Being made in the image and likeness of God means that human beings are like God, capable of spirituality, with mind, emotion, and will, and they have a part of their being that continues after death. If pets/animals do have a “soul” or immaterial aspect, it must therefore be of a different and lesser “quality.” This difference possibly means that pet/animal “souls” do not continue in existence after death.
  Another factor to consider is that animals are a part of God’s creative process in Genesis. God created the animals and said they were good (Genesis 1:25). Therefore, there is no reason why there could not be animals on the new earth (Revelation 21:1). There will most definitely be animals during the millennial kingdom (Isaiah 11:6; 65:25). It is impossible to say definitively whether some of these animals might be the pets we had while here on earth. We do know that God is just and that when we get to heaven we will find ourselves in complete agreement with His decision on this issue, whatever it may be.

Recommended Resource: Grieving the Death of a Pet by Betty Carmack.