Posted on 07/13/2009 5:57:16 PM PDT by sushiman
Last night we had to put the last of our three Boston Terriers to sleep . She had a long life of 13 and a half years , but of course my wife and I were very deeply saddened , but it was the best and only humane thing to do . Momo was the mother of Toto who died last year at this time , and of Max who passed two years ago . I like to believe that our beloved pets meet us again in heaven , but so many folks argue that animals have no souls so cannot enter heaven . What do you all think ?
Great minds think alike, separated by four seconds! :)
I've gone into this topic before at length, and would be happy to do so again, but the foundation of this understanding begins with Romans 8:18-24.
In particular, look for John Wesley's sermon The General Deliverance, which should be readily available via web search.
The Garden had flowers and animals. Heaven is even better so how could there not be either one?
I believe each species (not including man) has its own group mind. He maintains a rapport with it when he is alive. This is the basis of “instinct”. When an animal dies he goes right back into that collective cat or dog mind.
I think you need another terrier...wire hairs are my personal fav
I’m sorry for your loss. I’m not much of a Bible scholar, but whatever happens will be God’s will, and you’ll be OK with how it works out.
Blessings,
MB
I had to make the decision with my 16 yr old shepard last year. I underestimated how hard it would be.
Now, I haven’t been to a Sunday church service in 40 years, but if there’s ever a creature on this Earth that deserves to have a Heaven, it’s a dog.
Hopefully, she’ll get to see ME again.
Two things: First, we’ve had a number of cats and dogs over the years — each unique, each with a personality very different from all others. If they were totally instinct driven by DNA, only, it seems to me they’d all be exactly alike. You can almost see the little wheels and gears of their individual intellects spinning inside those little heads as they puzzle something new out. There is Mind in those heads. I don’t know about soul, but I have clearly experienced those Minds.
Secondly, animals are expressions of God’s creation and creativity. Why would he waste such good work?
When you try to visualize Heaven, do you see grass or trees or any other such plants and flowers. (I do.) Then surely these small magnificent animal creations belong in that scene. With you.
I had a brief impression once about arriving in Heaven, and ALL the little creatures I had ever known were all there, surrounding me.
Finally, the fact that we can love them in ways we cannot connect with things like cars or even homes speaks to me of their transcendent existence, of their “spark within” that can’t be defined, but can be clearly felt.
I do hope this is somehow a valid vision. One day, we’ll know.
Go Go (hardcore Anti Kenyan / Marxist -Leninist) Just diagnosed last week with canine lymphoma. Never gives up. No quit in her at all.
Well, gee. That actually gave me a lump in my throat.
I know whereof you speak.
I am so sorry for your loss. I just lost my cat in February, and asked the same question. The loss seems easier to handle if we think we’ll see them again!
And thanks to all in this thread who have cited Scripture, where animals are mentioned in the afterlife. If horses, lions and lambs will be there, hopefully our dogs and cats will be as well!
Thank you, Lord, for your Word.
It is probably theologically incorrect (according to the RC Church)but I believe that pets go to heaven. Not a separate place, either, but where we are. Is that a heresy?
If so, it must be a very minor one. Catsanddogsagensian.
Lots of thoughtful posts on here give good reasons why pets should be in heaven.
I just have a gut feeling they are there because God loves us and wants us to be happy with Him. So why not let us have our pets?
There’s plenty of room in heaven. And no litter boxes.
“...Since animals also have spirits...”
Oh, Good Grief!?!??!?!?!?
: )
My answer to your question: I don’t know. I hope they do, I truly do, but I don’t know. I only know the Ways of HaShem are right and I have to leave it with him.
From what I understand Boxers go straight to heaven because it wouldn’t be heaven without them, Rottweilers go to Purgatory for being so mean, and schnauzers get the hot place for eternity.
If dogs can go to heaven, then they can go to hell too.
Now try explaining to me how dogs will be judged and saved or condemned.
An old man and his dog were walking down this dirt road with fences on both sides, they came to a gate in the fence and looked in, it was nice - grassy,woody areas, just what a huntin dog and man would like, but, it had a sign saying no trespassing so they walked on.
They came to a beautiful gate with a person in white robes standing there. Welcome to Heaven he said. The old man was happy and started in with his dog following him.
The gatekeeper stopped him. Dogs arent allowed, Im sorry but he cant come with you.
What kind of Heaven wont allow dogs? If he cant come in, then I will stay out with him. Hes been my faithful companion all his life, I cant desert him now.
Suit yourself, but I have to warn you, the Devils on this road and hell try to sweet talk you into his area, hell promise you anything, but, the dog cant go there either. If you wont leave the dog, youll spend Eternity on this road
So the old man and dog went on. They came to a rundown fence with a gap in it, no gate, just a hole. Another old man was inside.
Scuse me Sir, my dog and I are getting mighty tired, mind if we come in and sit in the shade for awhile?
Of course, theres some cold water under that tree over there. Make yourselves comfortable
Youre sure my dog can come in? The man down the road said dogs werent allowed anywhere.
Would you come in if you had to leave the dog?
No sir, thats why I didnt go to Heaven, he said the dog couldnt come in. Well be spending Eternity on this road, and a glass of cold water and some shade would be mighty fine right about now. But, I wont come in if my buddy here cant come too, and thats final.
The man smiled a big smile and said Welcome to Heaven.
You mean this is Heaven? Dogs ARE allowed? How come that fellow down the road said they werent?
That was the Devil and he gets all the people who are willing to give up a life long companion for a comfortable place to stay. They soon find out their mistake, but, then its too late. The dogs come here, the fickle people stay there. GOD wouldnt allow dogs to be banned from Heaven. After all, HE created them to be mans companions in life, why would he separate them in death?
Author Earl Hamner
The Twilight Zone
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