Recently I had a friend ask me if I thought that dogs and cats went to heaven. Before I could answer the question another man sitting near told her that the bible makes no mention of animals going to heaven. My personal opinion is that dogs and cats have souls and they are special in Gods eyes as animals are mentioned all throughout the bible. If you do some research you will find a very long list of animals if listed A-Z are too numerous for me to put on this posting. I will highlight several of them and where they are located in the bible if you would like to reference and read about it.
We love our critters, dogs, cats, hamsters, cows, pigs, and all those other things people call pets. I have never had anything other than dogs, a few cats, some fish and a hamster or two. My favorite are dogs, yes I am a dog lover and we currently have three grand dogs that we enjoy greatly. We all come to love them and enjoy spending time watching them gallop, play, fight, roll around with each other and just show us love. Animals are so loyal to us and are connected to us. My oldest daughter Taylor has a little dog named Finley and he really has become my dog. He follows me everywhere I go and will not let me out of his sight at anytime.
When I had my heart issues back in September and again in November Finley attached to me and became so protective of me it is not even funny. This little dog is my buddy, my bestie, my little man that takes care of me. I joke at my daughter about it saying that he really is my dog and not here's. My wife and I had a little dog name Macy for ten years and I have previously written about her. We had to let her go back in August of 2019 and amazingly she has been around us some since her untimely passing. If you want to know more about that go and check for the story called Bringing Macy Home. It is a heart warming story about a families love of their pets and the impact such a small little critter can have on a life.
Back to the question the lady asked me about dogs and heaven. Her family pet is getting very old and is struggling a bit with things and she feels like it will not be long before they have to let her go also. Losing a pet is very hard as you are attached to them, connected to them spiritually. I know when Macy passed I could see her eyes and knew there was a little soul in that small body. A little soul that was so loving, caring and kind. She was loyal and was like my current buddy Finley. She went everywhere I went and would not leave me alone.
I saw a skit by the famous singer, songwriter and comedian Mark Lowery recently and he was talking about Dogs going to heaven. He was making some great jokes and also gave a very good story about dogs and all the animals listed in the bible. His point was surely God takes those precious souls to heaven just like he does man. Maybe not from a perspective of saving souls, but as a tag along for us when we earn our wings. I know my little buddy Macy is with my mom in heaven, she loved my mom and dad so much and loved visiting them. With all this said, I told the young lady that asked me to read the bible and think about it and form her own opinion and not let someone else tell her what the bible means or does not mean.
The man didn't appear to take it very good, but at that point the lady was not looking for someone to burst her bubble, instead she was looking for someone to be kind, compassionate and caring. She was going to have to tell her two small children soon if dogs go to heaven. I referred her to Ecclesiastes 3: 19-21 where it states "For what happens to the children of man and what happens to the beasts is the same; as one dies, so dies the other. They all have the same breath, and man has no advantage over the beasts, for all is vanity. All go to one place. All are from the dust, and to dust all return". That seems to me to be evidence that God takes our dogs and cats to heaven.
In Genesis 9: 9-10 it states, "“Behold, I establish my covenant with you and your offspring after you, and with every living creature that is with you, the birds, the livestock, and every beast of the earth with you, as many as came out of the ark; it is for every beast of the earth".
So my answer to the young lady is God made everything, God owns everything, God is the beginning and ending. He is the Alpha and Omega, he giveth and he taketh away. I know in my heart my dogs from my youth bullet, sparky, pookie, bandit, winky, and most recently my little baby girl Macy will Oneday be seeing me in Glory. I am grateful for my Dogs, Cats, and other critters that have blessed me and my family. My final advice to her was all the memories you make with those precious pets and family remain in your heart and give you hope of a future with them again.
God Bless you and your pets!
Coach B
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