Animals were put in the garden to be with mankind. They were created before we were created. They were a forethought, not an afterthought. They were and remain important. God did not make them temporary creatures, but intended rather that they should live with us as special companions forever. Nothing has been written to suggest God has changed His mind.
When the earth was destroyed by flood God preserved the animals along with mankind. Obviously, God’s lesser creatures (those not made in his image) are indeed important to him.
This is why I am convinced animals will be part of the Millennium and the New Earth, and perhaps Heaven as well. And like in Eden we will once again have that companionship with all of them like it was intended from the beginning.
Those saying here “we don’t need pets, in heaven” - don’t really understand God’s plan for the original Eden.
I didn’t think of the preservation of animals through the Great Flood. Always lots of jokes about that Ark of Noah’s. In fact I got one this last week — Lord, I had to get a building permit, I had to go to court over cruelty to animals. It was just crazy about our “big government” of today.
And they never bonded with an animal...or probably loved one at all.