Do All Dogs Go To Heaven?

We are told in Genesis that we (humankind) are to have dominion over all of the animals. We are created in God's image.  We know that God is love.  Since we are created in God’s image should we not be a reflection of love.  Therefor we should love not only each other but all of creation.

The sad part is that we have done a lot of damage over the years to God’s creation.  We have killed animals to the point that they have become extinct.  We have destroyed land that was occupied by animals.  We have taken creation and turned it upside down.  Instead of showing love we have become those that use creation and manipulate it and cause major destruction to the planet God has given to us.

I want us to remember that even when God covered all the Earth with water the animals were given a safe place.  Just like Noah and his family the animals were gathered together so that they may have a place to avoid the floods damage.  They traveled with Noah and they were treated as treasures.  When the boat finally rested on the mount the animals were released from the ark.  Both humankind and animals were able to procreate and fill the Earth again with love

God knew that we would need companions in our life.  Many people have special pets that fill that need for companionship.  They treat them like their children.  They go out of their way to give them love.  They give them immunizations shots, special food, and other medical procedures to keep their pets healthy. 

Some Christians will say that animals do not go to Heaven.  Their reason is that they believe animals have no souls.  They believe that only people go to Heaven because we have a soul.  We have the opportunity to accept Jesus in our life.  Humans are believed to be the only creatures on the Earth that understand the difference between sinning and not sinning. 

Others believe that all animals especially pets go to Heaven.  They believe this because of the different emotions that animal’s exhibit.  Our pets return our love.  Not only do they return our love but they do it unconditionally.  They put their trust in us that we will provide all their needs.  Animals will show sadness at death of other animals or owners. 

They get upset when we leave them.  They show happiness when we return. 

These two sides have battled each other for a long time.  People that think their pets do not go to Heaven usually do not consider their pets the same way that those thinking they will go to Heaven respond.  If you don’t believe pets go to Heaven you will have a hard time when they see people tore up because of a loss of a pet.  They can’t understand how someone would feel that way about a pet.  Those that think the pets go to Heaven cannot comprehend when people do not show a lot of emotion when they pass away.

I propose that these two sides come to a common ground.  We need to recognize that all people are created in the image of God filled with love with that we can come to a compassionate understanding of other people.  What does it hurt if someone thinks their beloved pet goes to Heaven?  We can come to understand that it isn’t a debate over if pets or going to Heaven instead it is an acceptance of people’s love.

We also can go one step further.  We can come to an understanding that we need to start treating animals with passion.  We can learn that destroying the habitat of animals kills off the creatures God saved on the arc.  Imagine how the world would be if we showed love to each other and to the Earth we live on.

Accepting that we have to care about the earth will change our attitude.  It isn’t all about what we can have or want to have.  Instead we can understand that the planet needs to be taken care of.  We have to take responsibility to ensure that the creatures of this world can live in peace and harmony.  We have to remember that we are the caregivers of God’s creation. 

The next time you meet someone that has lost their pet allows them to grieve the way they need to grieve.  Some will be very upset because their beloved pet has passed away.  They may feel in their heart that they will one date meet their pet in the next life. Others may grieve in a much different way. Allow them to have this grieving mechanism. 

We have to remember none of us for certain know where our beloved pets will go when they pass on.  I think back to the movie “All Dogs Go to Heaven” and how it helps children when their pets pass away.  It isn’t giving them false hope it is just letting know that they can be sad but their pet is safe.  We have to understand that this is important to anyone that has lost someone or a pet.  We need to know that they are heading to a much better place.  Once we can accept that we can start to heal in the grieving process.

Written in remembrance of Karma you will always be loved and missed.