Way off topic, but kinda along these lines, I lost my best little buddy doggie in March. We walked every morning for years, rain or shine, and he demanded stick throw, fetch and tug. I still walk every morning, and I figured that God, being all powerful, can have me simultaneously "there" throwing sticks, and "here." So doggie is still entertained, and I still have him in my heart. We are both in two places at once - maybe more.
Reality is weird enough on it's own (I study physics for fun), and whatever God has cooked up for meta-reality is going to be beyond stunning. We don't deserve any of it.
Okay, off my soapbox.
Well, we know for sure that there are horses in Heaven, so why not dogs and cats?
Nice read, Cboldt. My sympathies for your loss.