Do our pets go to Heaven?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Holly3278
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
H

Holly3278

Guest
Hey everyone. Do our pets go to Heaven? What about when there will be a new Heaven and a new Earth, will God allow us to have our pets then? This is something that has bothered me for a long time because I read that according to Catholic teaching, our pets don’t survive death and hence they won’t be with us in eternity. This really bothers me because I have a beloved cat named Precious. She is my little sweetheart. I have had her for 7 years and I know I’ve probably only got about 10 more years with her, if that. I don’t want to lose her for good when she dies. I’m sorry but this is the one thing that bothers me about Catholicism. Can someone please help me out here?
 
What we do know:

Animals and plants have material souls. People have spiritual souls. People alone have intellect and will (the principles of the soul) and are made for union with God in Heaven. Animals are not. Animal souls do not persist after bodily death.

What we do not know:
We do not know what the new Heaven and new Earth will be like. We do not know if the mention of animals is literal or figurative. We do not know if these animals will be like animals we know or some other type of creature entirely. We do not know if God will “reconsistute” animals we have known in our lives.

I personally do not believe this is what is meant by the new Heaven and new Earth. Animals are not people. Yes, we love them and get attached to them, but we should not give animals the love due only to people and to God.
 
I believe that God takes care of all of his creation…all of it.
 
As Scripture has left this an open question, we must do the same.

Some are anxious to say yes, others to say no. But our LORD had not said, either way.

ICXC NIKA
 
No. The animal has no immortal soul. It dissolves at death: “ashes to ashes and dust to dust”. There is nothing of the animal that can endure once the body is dead: therefore, it is impossible.

It is possible that an animal could be recreated by God, or even conjured out of one’s own memory - I see no reason why it should, however, or why one would desire such. I am in agreement with those who has posted in other threads of this topic, to the effect of, “what an insult is it to God, that one feels one can not be happy with the beatific vision, but must have Rover there too, as if a dog could augment God!”

If all people are to live in harmony in the New Jerusalem, assuming that not only animalophiles can be saved, some feel equally so that a place containing dogs or cats could not be paradisaical, disregarding any philosophical arguments one way or the other - which would seem to militate that one group or the other would be changed by force to enter heaven (abrogating free will, that is, if the beatific vision isn’t great enough that it can’t survive without the enhancement offered by Fido), that people who don’t adore animals can’t be saved (heresy), that animalophiles can’t be saved (see above), or that heaven is separate and distinct for each and every individual (see above).
 
I’m not sure it matters much to those who are in heaven or those who will reach heaven. If the answer is ‘no - there are no pets…’ would it make heaven less heavenly?
 
I was not saying that I wouldn’t be happy in Heaven without my cat because I am certain that I would be perfectly happy in Heaven even if I didn’t have her. However, I still think it’d be really cool if I did get to have her anyway.
 
People tend to think of heaven as a really great version of earth. Pizza buffets all day long. Chatting with famous figures from history. And getting back pets and other things that we loved on earth.

But heaven will be nothing like earth. St. Paul assures us, “Eye has not seen, and ear has not heard the things that God has prepared for those who love him.” Heaven will be NOTHING like earth - we cannot even comprehend what it will be like.

In heaven, we will be in complete and perfect union with Jesus Christ, and that will bring us infinite happiness. It’s not like having Precious is really gonna matter to you. It’s hard to think of it that way while we are still on earth, but it really will not matter. Having Precious will not add to the infinite happiness that you will derive from Jesus, and not having Precious will not diminish your happiness.

You won’t have Precious. But you really will not care. You will not miss Precious one bit. I know you have a hard time believing that this is even possible (and you may even be angry at me for saying it), but it is. Jesus will be the only thing that you desire. You’re not gonna want Jesus + Precious.
 
And I think it’d be really cool to eat as much cheesecake as I want in heaven… after all, I wouldn’t have to worry about gaining weight!
Anyway, I think we understand each other’s points.

PS
I’m a dog-lover myself so here’s to hoping there are NO felines in heaven…🙂
 
G-d in His justice and mercy will give us all that we need in Heaven to be happy, including our pets. G-d provides for all His creatures.
 
stewstew03 said:
And I think it’d be really cool to eat as much cheesecake as I want in heaven… after all, I wouldn’t have to worry about gaining weight!
Anyway, I think we understand each other’s points.

PS
I’m a dog-lover myself so here’s to hoping there are NO felines in heaven…🙂
Click to expand...
But that would not be much fun for the doggies, would it, no cats to chase around???

I relate to you though. My FoxyLady is my baby, and I’d love to see her in life everlasting. But I doubt, once I got to nestle in our LORD’s arms, that I’d be looking hard for her, really.

ICXC NIKA
 
All we need in Heaven is God himself. God has provided for animals by choosing in his wisdom to not endow them with immortal souls.
 
There is nothing in the bible that says they won’t go to heaven…so yes they will
 
“But, as it is written: That eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither hath it entered into the heart of man, what things God hath prepared for them that love him.”–1 Corinthians 2:9

I figured since I have seen and heard my dog, then she wont be in Heaven. Don’t get me wrong I loved my dog, but I don’t see why her existance would be necessary for me to be happy in Heaven.

Yet I’m not against pets in Heaven.

Heck just knowing I made it into Heaven would be enough to make me happy.
:twocents:
 
Khalid said:
All we need in Heaven is God himself. God has provided for animals by choosing in his wisdom to not endow them with immortal souls.
Click to expand...
Khalid, if we, who are created in the image of G-d, love our pets and are so devoted to them, don’t you think G-d must love and reward them even more?
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top