I love animals—always have. I grew up in a family that had tons of pets: a cat, tons of fish, snakes, lizards, frogs, turtles, hamsters, and even a hedgehog (no lions, tigers, and bears, sadly). But my favorite pet, hands down, is my childhood dog. I could write on and on about how much I love this dog, but to keep things real short, I’ll just say she’s a good girl.
I love animals—always have. I grew up in a family that had tons of pets: a cat, tons of fish, snakes, lizards, frogs, turtles, hamsters, and even a hedgehog (no lions, tigers, and bears, sadly). But my favorite pet, hands down, is my childhood dog. I could write on and on about how much I love this dog, but to keep things real short, I’ll just say she’s a good girl.
I’m fortunate to say that she’s still kickin’ and somehow is still able to play fetch. This year, she’ll be turning 16. Unfortunately, she’s not retrieving the ball as fast as she once did.
Like any loving person who has an elderly pet, I wonder what’s next for my dear friend. Maybe you’re like me and you’ve got an elderly pet that’s approaching its final days. Maybe you’ve recently lost a pet and are curious if you’ll ever be reunited. Or maybe you feel some remorse for that horse fly you just swatted and are wondering if they are currently drinking fruit juice out of a coconut on a heavenly insect beach.
No matter your situation regarding animals and the afterlife, we can turn to the Scriptures together to see what might be beyond this world for our animal companions.
Do Dogs Go to Heaven?
The Bible never says whether dogs go to Heaven. In fact, it doesn’t say if any pets get to Heaven after they die. But it has been a question that biblical authors have been asking for millennia:
“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. Who knows whether the spirit of man goes upward and the spirit of the beast goes down into the earth?” (Ecclesiastes 3:19-21).
There’s no clear answer, but that doesn’t definitively mean heaven is absent of pets—so keep reading.
So, why isn’t there a verse that says we may see our fluffy (or slimy) friends one day after they pass? Because the Bible isn’t a question-and-answer book for every possible life encounter. It’s a story of humanity’s brokenness and God’s pursuit to redeem us and bring us into a relationship with him.
Now, Scripture is clear that humans are made in the image of God and that we are created to hold the divine Spirit of God. No other thing in creation has these uniquely divine characteristics—not even angels. And the capacity to hold the Holy Spirit is core to our human identity. It’s critical for our salvation and our adoption as sons and daughters of God.
This is why God loves you and I so much. It’s why Jesus laid down his life on the cross for us—not just so we’d be saved and able to live with God in eternity, but so we’d be elevated as children and heirs of the living God.
When it comes down to it, I am a child of God. My dear childhood dog is not.
So, Will Animals Be in Heaven?…And Will My Dog Be There?
I think so. In fact, scattered throughout parts of the Bible, from an Old Testament prophet to the writings of Paul to the last book of the Bible, Revelation, animals are mentioned as being in Heaven.
Whether these animals previously lived on earth and have been restored in Heaven, OR they are completely new animals (just to be seen in Heaven) is unknown. But what is clear is that Heaven will be a very different experience for animals than it would be for you and me, as humans made to be in relationship with God.
I believe that Heaven will be perfect—and that God knows what I love. In His love for me, I think my dear furry friend will be waiting for me. I also think that the neighbor’s cat that always hissed at me will burn in Hell (It’s a joke. Chill out.).
I just think that Heaven will be different for my dog than it is for me. God is cool like that.
Now, am I 100% confident I will see my friend again? No. Will I lack anything in Heaven if they aren’t there? Not a chance. I trust God that it will be perfect.
Recently lost a pet or considering end-of-life options for them?
It sucks. I’ve been there and I know it’s painful. Despite what some people think, it hurts when an animal dies. I think it’s more than “ok” to grieve. In fact, I believe God mourns with you, too. He cares about what hurts you—no matter how small (or furry).
That’s the kind of God I worship. And maybe one day, I’ll be worshiping Him with my golden doodle on my lap.
Disclaimer: This article is 100% human-generated.
Reflections to share? Got an idea for an article? Email us at articles@crossroads.net
At Crossroads, we major on the majors and minor on the minors. We welcome a diverse community of people who all agree that Jesus is Lord and Savior, even if they view minor theological and faith topics in different ways based on their unique experiences. Our various authors embody that principle, and we approach you, our reader, in the same fashion. You don’t have to agree with every detail of any article you see here to be part of this community or pursue faith. Chances are even our whole staff doesn’t even agree with every detail of what you just read. We are okay with that tension. And we think God is okay with that, too. The foundation of everything we do is a conviction that the Bible is true and that accepting Jesus is who he said he is leads to a healthy life of purpose and adventure—and eternal life with God.
