Heaven, Pt.8 Will My Beloved Pet Be There?

Those of us who have had and loved pets frequently want to know the answer to this question:  Will my pet be in heaven?  I have often joked over the years that my dogs would be in heaven because I made sure they said "The Sinner's Prayer". In reality I know it isn't something animals can, or need to do, but it made my heart feel better to think that if they could, then they would, and I would find them waiting for me there. 

But will there be pets in heaven? First we have to go back to Eden. When Adam and Eve fell into sin, they did so by choice.  Sin and death came into this world because of the actions of mankind, not animals. We are the ones who caused the separation between God and man. As a result of this severed relationship, all of creation fell under a curse.  All the beauty and life that sang out from plants and animals in perfect Eden was now stifled, weighed down by a heavy cloak; silenced by the overshadowing of evil. The vibrant colors of the entire creation were stripped of their brightness; muted and grayed by the cloud of iniquity that now covered and permeated everything on earth.  Even though they did not directly sin, the shroud of sin affected all creation- plants, animals, fish, the Earth. Death would come eventually to all.

I have had several pets in my lifetime.  I grew up on a farm so cats were a mainstay, and my best friends. I would cry and mourn for them when they died, but each spring brought a new batch to fall in love with all over again.  I adored them, but I wasn't so attached that I would feel bad if they weren't in heaven.  Besides, as someone I know once said, all cats end up in "purrrrrgatory" anyway!  (Sorry cat lovers!)
Dogs are another story.  I had a dog named Ginger.  She was a beautiful golden Cocker Spaniel.  Such a sweet dog!  We had her for a number of years, but when we moved to Europe for awhile, she became our friends' dog.  They loved her dearly, too, and she was accepted and cherished by their whole family.  She was a special dog who had won the hearts of two families, and lived a long, happy life.
My current dog is Zala.  She is the most spoiled, sweet, adorable little dog you could ever want. She has character and personality that are uncanny.  Sometimes she seems more human than dog!  When she dies, my heart will definitely break. 

I would love to see these two special dogs in heaven, but honestly I do not know if they will be.  I know there will be animals- lots of them, and of all kinds. But animals were not created in God's image. They were not created to have personal relationships with their Creator as we are, and they have no need for salvation. So if my favorite beloved pet is not in heaven, will I be sad and miss her?  Maybe, but if heaven is a place of no sadness and tears, then I don't think I will. 

There is much Biblical evidence that there will be animals in heaven. Heaven is, and will be forever, the restoration of all the once was.  It is Eden again- perfect. Relationship restored; harmony in all of creation. 

Isaiah tells us in Chapter 11:6-8:

" In that day the wolf and the lamb will live together;

    the leopard will lie down with the baby goat.

The calf and the yearling will be safe with the lion,

    and a little child will lead them all.

7 The cow will graze near the bear.

    The cub and the calf will lie down together.

    The lion will eat hay like a cow."

A wolf, a lamb, a leopard, and a baby goat all lying down and living together.  No snarling or growling, and no stalking and licking one's chops sizing up their next meal.  A calf and yearling safe with a lion! And to top it off, a little child is leading them!  Can you see a five year old taking his pet 400 pound lion for a stroll together? Then the lion sits down and eats grass.  Think about that.  No longer hunting, stalking and killing for food.  They will be vegetarians! Genesis 1:30 says, "I have given every green plant as food for all the wild animals, the birds in the sky, and the small animals that scurry along the ground—everything that has life.” And that is what happened." 

I do not know if God will in some way cause our beloved pets to be in heaven, but we do know there will be no sadness or sorrow.  These amazing creatures are with us now to give us love and joy.  If they are with us once again when we get to heaven, it will be wonderful.  If they are not, there will be so many other creatures waiting to take

walks with us and play and "fetch", that we will not feel their absence. 
So get ready to swim with dolphins, and great whales and sharks!  Splash in the rivers of heaven with multitudes of fish, and ride a hippo downstream.  Get into a racing contest with a cheetah, and swing on tree branches with monkeys.  Sit down to rest under a shade tree with a panther, and lean against the king of beasts to snooze.  All the animals and birds and fish are free; no cages, no human made confinements of any kind.  Nature and humans in harmony, living together once again in peace.  

Revelations 5:13 says,

"13 And then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea. They sang:  “Blessing and honor and glory and power belong to the one sitting on the throne and to the Lamb forever and ever.”

Clearly there will be all sorts of creatures in heaven.  They join us as we all bow to our Creator honoring and praising Him; worshiping together as originally designed. 

I can't wait to live, love, play, and enjoy eternity in the best hands-on zoo ever!