My chocolate lab, Tracker, saw an owl the other evening. Now he thinks everything’s an owl. He’s dreaming by my chair-side now—of a dozen owls, going by the commotion of his four paws.
Dogs dream of owls. People dream of destinies. Dogs have souls—a mind, a will, emotions—but not spirits. People have both, being made in God’s image as we are. Unlike dogs, we have the ability to choose God and, consequently, have our old dead spirit replaced with a new eternal one (2 Cor 5:17; Ezek 36:26; et al). I believe all people who choose to place their trust in Jesus as their Savior will be in Heaven. I believe God does not hold dogs, or any other creature we are here to steward, responsible for the Fall. That curse is something we brought about. I believe dogs will be in Heaven. I see nothing in Scripture that precludes it. And it seems consistent to me for our loving, doting Father to make it so.
Tracker is getting old. I miss him already. I believe I will reunite with him in Heaven and on the New Earth one day, along with all my other pets and all the other fascinations of God’s creation, like owls.
I hope this encourages you to look forward to your reunions.
Kevin Murray
© 2023 All rights reserved
This is a great perspective I hadn’t considered before – that animals weren’t responsible for the fall, and God wouldn’t punish them for disobeying Him.
I hope we are reunited with all our pets as well as believing members of our families in eternity! That’s what I’d like to have in Heaven. And I’m convinced of this — if God greets me and spends time with me in heaven, I’m game!!
That’s it! God wouldn’t hold animals responsible for the fall. Sure, He could choose to NOT have them in Heaven, and we will be fully satisfied with whatever God chooses. But, it seems to me, our God would not give one inch to Satan. God created this beautiful, full world in its unblemished state (pre-fall). I expect He will replenish it upon His return with all the creatures that suffered loss. This would include our pets, and so much more!