Dogs have souls, but you already knew that

seattletimes ^ | May 16, 2009 | Electa Draper

[JoeProBono]

For centuries, humans have imagined they are the only animals with morals. But humans are not alone in the moral arena, a new breed of behavior experts says. Natural historian Jake Page said some scientists are acknowledging what pet owners have told their canines all along: "Good dog."

Dogs are full of natural goodness and have rich emotional lives, said animal behaviorist Marc Bekoff, professor emeritus at the University of Colorado, Boulder.

A dog's code of ethics is on display daily in parks, backyards and family rooms. "We're not trying to elevate animals," Bekoff said. "We're not trying to reduce humans. We're not saying we're better or worse or the same. We're saying we're not alone in having a nuanced moral system." Page, author of "Do Dogs Smile?," said biology no longer dismisses dogs and other animals as "furry automatons" driven by instinct and food. "People like Bekoff have figured out how to measure these things," Page said. "It's a whole new ballgame for studying dog personalities and emotions." Bekoff, co-author of "Wild Justice: The Moral Lives of Animals," spent thousands of hours observing coyotes, wolves and dogs. He analyzed videotapes frame by frame. The work convinced him these animals possess empathy and compassion, the emotions upon which moral sense is built. While much the same can be said of monkeys, wolves, elephants, dolphins, whales and other social animals, dogs are special cases; they share in human lives, he said. "Dogs know they are dependent. They learn to read us," Bekoff said.

"Dogs develop this great sense of trust. We're tightly linked, and there is something spiritual about that unity."

[Judith Anne]

As I recall, in the new earth, the lion will lie down with the lamb. So, there must be those two, at least.

[Recovering Ex-hippie]

My doggie, Lola and I offer you and your pupster our prayers and concern and hope that you may , in this difficult time, have the peace that passes all understanding.

Hang in there, you are doing the right thing to be with her in this time. I hope and pray that soon your doggie will respond well to the treatments and be happy soon again. Let us know how she is doing.

[fanfan]

Anyone who has loved a dog and received their affection and trust in return knows intrinsically that their is something behind their eyes more than simple instinct.

Bump.

[Friendofgeorge]

What is it that you want me to say? I already posted how I felt about Breeders of any kind. It is very selfish for ANYBODY to buy a dog when there are so many being put down.

[RegulatorCountry]

But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased Him, and to every seed his own body. All flesh is not the same flesh; but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds. There are celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differeth from another star in glory. So, also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption; it is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: it is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.

I Corinthians 15:38-44

[Nosterrex]

What has this to do with dogs having souls? The point of these verses is that human beings will have glorified bodies in the resurrection. There is nothing in here about the resurrection of animals or animal spirits.

[Judith Anne]

I don’t want you to say anything.

[Judith Anne]

Let me amend that: I don’t want you to say anything about dog breeders. But it’s a free country.

[goat granny]

But does God say they do not have souls...all things have spirit, Jesus said on Palm Sunday that if the crowds had not shouted Hosanna, even the very stones would cry out..

[driftdiver]

“But does God say they do not have souls...”

I don’t remember seeing any references to going out and saving Fido or bringing Fido to Christ. If animals had souls we would be tasked with helping them to find the Lord.

We are tasked with caring for all of Gods creatures. We are told we are above all of Gods creatures.

I love animals but I try not to change the Bible to mean what I want it to mean.

[ZX12R]

but I try not to change the Bible to mean what I want it to mean.

Then you're the only one. LOL

[ovrtaxt]

Agreed!~ But we’re the ones with the sin problem, not them! If anything, they can show Christ to us just by being what they are. All of creation declares His handiwork after all...And why shouldn’t they be in heaven too, if it’s more real than this world, and if this existence is only a faint and temporary echo of His intentions? Nobody knows for sure, but I expect animals to be there too.

[driftdiver]

“All of creation declares His handiwork after all...And why shouldn’t they be in heaven too, if it’s more real than this world, and if this existence is only a faint and temporary echo of His intentions?”

I dunno why, lets wait our time and then we’ll find out for sure.

[driftdiver]

I’m not the only one. There are millions upon millions of good people trying to follow Gods word.

Some do better than others. To stop trying and turn away from God is not the answer.

[ovrtaxt]

:)

[xsmommy]

They. Are. Animals. No soul.

i would never presume to state which humans will make it into heaven; nor would i categorically state as an objective truth something that NONE of us has any way of knowing.

[ZX12R]

There are millions upon millions of good people trying to follow Gods word.

Yes, all in their own unique way. I've not noticed much agreement among the myriad denominations.

[xsmommy]

i don’t think anyone thinks you are a loser, Diana, but you did arrogantly state as a fact something that there is no way of anyone knowing and about which there is much emotional disagreement. So you kind of asked for the feedback you are getting here.

[driftdiver]

“Yes, all in their own unique way. I’ve not noticed much agreement among the myriad denominations”

Yep we are all hypocrites. But theres always room for one more, so come on in!

[Friendofgeorge]

The only good breeder is a blank breeder