Will dogs go to heaven?

This is a fun question, but one that has many important implications about the afterlife and how spirits work. The concept has been revived by a few recent events. One is an animated comedy film ‘All Dogs go to Heaven’ and its sequel in 1996. It was also an episode of Supernatural, the TV series. Then, just recently, Pope Francis intimated that animals could be in the afterlife because of scripture references.

Actually, there is evidence for this idea in the Bible, and it’s related to the term ‘breath of life’ that biblical scholars interpret to be the spirit. Ecclesiastes 3:18-21 says that animals have the breath of life and the same fate awaits both humans and animals, essentially the body losing the spirit at death. It questions whether animal spirits might not go to heaven.

Hosea 2:18 speaks of God’s covenant with the creatures in that day, a reference to the end time.

There are four references in Genesis. The reason for this is the story of Noah and the ark with the inclusion of two of each kind of animal. Again, there are references to animals having the breath of life, which would suggest that animals have spirits.

Luke 12:6 refers to the fact that God doesn’t forget sparrows.

The best reference to this idea is in Isaiah 11:6-9 where the Kingdom is populated with both predator and prey and they will coexist in peace as in . . . the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together, and the little child will lead them, suggesting that animals and people will coexist together when Christ’s kingdom reign begins.

My opinion on this is based not on scriptures but on logic. If one believes that we humans will have perfect glorified resurrected bodies again after the second coming, there is no reason that our pets couldn’t enjoy resurrected bodies, assuming that they have spirits or souls like we do. Of course, there are some that would object to this. They’re like the Pharisees that questioned Jesus about who would be married to whom in the afterlife. He told them that marriage will be unnecessary then. Marriage is a human institution to beget children and care for them. Marriage as an institution won’t be needed in Heaven because there won’t be births, and you know what that means, don’t you? No more sex! Men and women will be equal in the absolute sense. Think about that one!

If our pets do end up in Heaven with us, our relationship with them might be totally different than it is now. Resurrected animals won’t be dependent on us for care. Everyone, including our pets, will be free to enjoy everlasting bliss with God. I like that idea.

Thanks for reading.