Pets in Heaven? (Especially on May 21st)

EWTN.com ^ | not given | Dr. Richard Geraghty, PhD

[Salvation]

Pets in Heaven?

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A question that comes up frequently is whether people will see their pets in heaven. Now the Catechism of the Catholic Church does not directly address this question. But it does hold principles which lead us in the direction of an answer.

One principle is that all living things have a soul. Here soul is defined as what makes an organic body live. Now when any living thing dies, its soul is separated from its body. In the case of plants and animals the soul goes out of existence. But in the case of man, the soul remains in existence because it is a spiritual or immaterial thing. Consequently, it differs from the souls of animals in two important respects. First, it is the seat of intelligence or reason.  For this reason a man is held responsible for his actions in a way that animals are not. Secondly, the soul is immortal. A thing which has no physical parts cannot fall apart or be poisoned or be crushed or be put out of existence. For this reason the souls of the saved will always be aware of themselves as enjoying the vision of God for all eternity. This enjoyment will be the result of having chosen to act on earth in such a way that one did the will of God rather than one's own will.  And the souls of the damned will be aware of themselves as never attaining this vision of God because they have shown by their lives on earth that they did not wish this vision but instead preferred their own will.

In the light of this essential difference between human beings and animals, it would seem that we would not see the souls of our pets in heaven for the simple reason that they do not have immortal souls and are not responsible for their actions. They do not have the intelligence which allows them to choose either God's will or their own will.  There is, then, an incomparable distance, say,  between the soul of the sorriest human being who ever lived and the most noble brute animal that ever walked the earth.

Now a child might be heartbroken at the thought that he will never see his pet again. He cannot yet understand this explanation about the difference between the human and the animal soul.  I suppose that one could tell the child that when he hopefully gets to heaven, he could ask God to see his old pets if he still wished to. There would be no harm in that. For we know that when a person finally sees God,  he will not be concerned with seeing old pets or favorite places but rather will be captured in the complete fulfillment of the joy of which old pets and favorite places are but little signs. We adults know that, even if the child does not.

For more information on how the Church sees animals in the lives of human beings, check the Catechism of the Catholic Church 2415-2418. You will learn, for example, that the Church, while it condemns cruelty to animals as an offense against the dignity of man, allow experiments on animals if done in a reasonable way.  Again, you will learn of the tremendous difference that the Church sees between the lowliest of human beings and the most noble of the animals.  It will allow animals to be used for food or clothing, but will defend the right of an innocent human being to live against Kings and Nations. The Church will demand that animals be respected as part of creation while at the same time insisting that the dignity owed a human being should never be given to an animal.

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Answered by Dr. Richard Geraghty, PhD

[NavyCanDo]

VIDEO - GOD and DOG

Thought Provoking video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H17edn_RZoY

[married21]

“WHY would we need pets in heaven?”

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I don’t think that’s necessarily the right question. After all, there are numerous relatives, co-workers, neighbors and such that I don’t actually need to see in heaven, but they’ll be there, irregardless of my opinion on it.

I tell my kids that we go to Heaven to reconnect completely with God. Animals never distanced themselves from God, so they don’t need the same kind of reunion that we do. Also, I tell them that the Bible is about God and His people, not animals. We know God is merciful, but we have no idea what means in relation to other species.

I would say there will be animals in heaven if that’s what is right for them. Otherwise, God will make some other arrangement that is appropriate.

[NavyCanDo]

Remember this too about Eden. The animals there were also going to live forever. That was his plan

• God knew what he wanted to do in regard to creation

• He had the power to bring HIs plan to pass

• He created a perfect environment

• He created man in a perfect state of spirit, mind, and body

• He created perfect animals to share mankinds perfect domain

• He intended for this perfect situation to continue forever, without death for either human or animal.

He was completely happy with his work and with the relationship he had orchestrated between mankind and animals. How could anybody think animals will not be a part of the New Earth (The New Eden) Yet you see their post here. And if God created our Pet and brought it into our lives the first time - it is in his power to do it all again.

[boatbums]

That reminded me.

A dyslexic, insomniac, atheist was lying in bed one night staring up at the ceiling thinking, “I wonder if there really is a dog?” ;o)

[boatbums]

AMEN!

Isaiah 64:4 (King James Version)

For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth

1 Corinthians 2:9 (King James Version)

But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

[Nowhere Man]

Myself, I see the soul as "life force energy." It cannot be created nor destroyed and it goes on forever. It is a bit like a radio wave but much more than that, it is sentient as well. That's the way I see it.

I've had experiences where I do know they have souls. Maybe people think I'm weird, but I don't care. I've had experiences where I've seen the ghost of my pets come back, sometimes it is only a touch but there are times I have seen and heard them. Maybe some may think I'm way out, but one of my pets came back to talk to me, it was like I had an out of body experience (I've had those too) and one of my cats came back to talk to me. He was a black cat, when he talked, his mouth moved like Salem's did in "Sabrina the Teenage Witch." He said to me that "he and all my kitties, dogs and past pets are fine, they miss us but are doing fine and one day, we will all be together." He added, "all of your pets elected me as spokesman and want to say, we will always be with you." Lastly, he said, "don't worry about us, we are happy." Then I felt myself snapping back into my body.

Myself, I believe in Jesus Christ as my saviour. Still, I see myself as a bit of a Universalist, much like Michael Savage, where the major world religions, Christianity, Judaism, Islam (not the radical type), Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, American Indian faiths and others are like spokes on the wheel to where they lead to God via their own paths.

I think God would want us to be happy plus He gave us all souls and would want all of us to be together in Heaven, I mean, if we go to Heaven and not see our animals friend there, many would be bummed out and I don't think God would want us to be bummed out.

I know I'm gonna get heat for this, oh well, so be it.

[freekitty]

It is your reward.

[Salvation]

I wonder about this too.

Why did God make us? (you)?

God made me to love, honor and serve Him in this life and to be happy with Him in the next.

Nothing about pets on earth or pets in heaven

Now for the rhetorical question:

What is more important? Being in heaven with God or being with your pet?

[Salvation]

**What else compares?**

Absolutely nothing can compare to God.

[Salvation]

Amzing search there.

[Lou Budvis]

I do not think there will be pets in Heaven. When you are in the presence of the Almighty, you’re not going to need your dog to make you happy.

[Salvation]

There is something that goes like this........”not a place to lay his head.”

[NavyCanDo]

“I do not think there will be pets in Heaven. When you are in the presence of the Almighty, you’re not going to need your dog to make you happy.”

Why then did Eden have animals? Eden was supposed to last forever right?

[toothfairy86]

God is God and can “save” anyone He chooses. As for me, I’d like to be buried with my basenji, just in case the ancient Egyptians were right about your dog going to the afterlife with you;-)

[boatbums]

You limit the power of God if you say that pets are not in heaven.

Well said! To say, "Well, it's not mentioned in the Bible.", could just mean that people back then didn't have 'pets' like we do today. There were farm animals and such, but I think we have far more of a relationship - so to speak - with animals as loved, precious members of our family now. God cared enough for even the smallest sparrow to find something to eat, I find it hard to believe he doesn't stay consistent in that care.

[Salvation]

What an interesting story about the overseas missionaries. Might be.

[Salvation]

Great points about the Garden of Eden. Without that first sin, we would be living like that!

Is that an image of heaven? Probably.

[boatbums]

Again, I wonder if you follow your logic: the feral cats? The squirrels? The whales? Trees? Firewood? Carrots? Rocks? Trace minerals? Will all go to heaven as created? Or only beloved pets, who we project souls on because we are lonely and we love them?

Are you forgetting that God DOES create a new heaven and new earth wherein righteousness dwells? By that, there sure will be rocks and trees, trace minerals and animals. How else can:

"The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them.

And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox." (Isa. 11:6-7)

And God gifts us with animal companions. I don't love my husband any less because I love my two kittehs, I don't love either more than I do God. Why not just admit you don't know for sure and allow people to hope?

[boatbums]

AWESOME VERSES!!!

[Salvation]

I have even had someone ask me if our heaven will be the ‘new’ earth that god creates. I could not answer their question.