Might sound like a stupid question, but do you think dogs go to heaven?

[Riptide]

This probably sounds like a pretty dumb question (especially for a 13 year old to ask)...but we had to put my dog Carly to sleep and I really miss her. Do you think dogs go to heaven? I don't really know what to think. I don't think they have souls, but I also dont think they'll go to hell, but I -hope- they don't just sit there and rot...I don't know...what do you all think?

[Karen]

I think they go to heaven.

[dab_20]

I also think they go to heaven. It comforts me to know that dogs I have lost are watching down on me.

[Jessika]

Animals loved and cherished as pets, and animals that have made an impact on someone's life in some way or another, do go to heaven and they will be waiting there at the Pearly gates for you to arrive. :)

[joycenalex]

honey, of course dogs are in heaven. i cannot believe for one second that god would create something as wonderful as a dog, and not have it in paradise as well as here on earth. i know my sweet dog duke is there, likely drinking from the gravy river. i am sorry that you've lost Carly, can you tell us a little bit about her?

[K9soul]

I believe dogs do have souls and Heaven wouldn't be Heaven for me if no dogs were there.

[jackie]

Exactly K9soul,

Heaven couldn't be heaven if my pets were not waiting for me. :)

[Dixieland Dancer]

After one of my first Goldens passed, my brother asked our pastor that exact question. He was a very wise elderly pastor with many years of ministry under his belt. His response was profound....

"David (my brothers name), Jesus tells us he has gone to prepare a place for us. We are told it is magnificent and will bring us great joy. There will be no more pain, suffering or sorrow. Knowing this, if you need your pets in heaven to be happy, they will be there."

He didn't actually say yes or no but he did say we will be filled with joy. I personally believe I will need my pets there with me. They are such a major part of me here and they do give me GREAT JOY! :D

[JenBKR]

Not a stupid question at all! I completely believe that our pets will be in heaven, waiting for us to return to them. I still miss my RB Lady like crazy, who passed away about 10 years ago, but I know that she is waiting for me and I'll see her again someday. I know how difficult it is to deal with the loss of a pet, so if you ever need to talk about losing Carly just PM me!

[Miss Z]

Well, I myself am not religious so I don't believe in Heaven:o . But I know that all my pets live on in my mind and never leave my side, that's sort of my version of the RB;) . If I did believe in Heaven, I would definitely believe that pets went to Heaven, otherwise I would refuse to go!

[lizbud]

Yes, I believe dogs (and cats) go to heaven. One of my favorite
quotes on the subject is........

"If there are no dogs in Heaven,
then when I die I want to go
where they went."

Will Rogers, 1897-1935

[Vela]

Personally, I do not beleive something so full of love, compassion, forgiveness, and charity for our wrongdoings towards then has no soul. I don't beleive it's possible for dogs not to have a soul. I don't think it is a soul like you and I have, but I truly beleive they do have their own souls and I beleive I will see them again someday.

[JenBKR]

Personally, I do not beleive something so full of love, compassion, forgiveness, and charity for our wrongdoings towards then has no soul. I don't beleive it's possible for dogs not to have a soul. I don't think it is a soul like you and I have, but I truly beleive they do have their own souls and I beleive I will see them again someday.

I like the way you put that - maybe our pets are here to teach us about how God is...

[Lori Jordan]

I hope they do!!!I treasure the day i go and have all the animals i have loved and lost will be there waiting to reunite with me!!!

[popcornbird]

I don't believe dogs, or any animals will ever go to hell. Animals are not accountable for their deeds, so they will not be 'punished'...therefore, no animals in hell. I do believe animals have a soul, but it is different from our soul. I believe human beings are accountable for the deeds they commit in life, and the good will be rewarded with heaven, the evil, punished with hell. For animals, that is not the case. They don't need to be punished for anything.

As to animals being in heaven...for people who make it to heaven, I know that God has promised them complete happiness and bliss there, and they will get whatever they wish for in heaven. If a person in heaven wants his/her pet there, while religion doesn't explicitly mention it, I do believe God will give that person his/her pet. I do not believe animals will be in heaven as a 'reward' for THEM, as they don't do any wrong or right in this world...they don't have freedom of choice as humans in deeds and actions, but if a person wants his/her pet there, I'm sure God will bring that animal there for the good person's happiness.

[sirrahved]

I believe all animals (not including humans!) cease to exist after death. It's not "them" rotting, just the body. They don't go to heaven, or to hell. They're just gone.

I do also believe that heaven is absolutely perfect, and that if animals have to be in heaven to make people happy, they'll be there.

[sirrahved]

Just a question for all of you that said my pets are waiting for me, looking down on me, etc... How would it be heaven for THEM if they were watching you suffer, cry, replace them...

[Jessika]

Just a question for all of you that said my pets are waiting for me, looking down on me, etc... How would it be heaven for THEM if they were watching you suffer, cry, replace them...
The same concept would apply to family members who have passed on, if you think about it. If you believe humans go to heaven/hell, then apply the same concept to pets and there you go :)

[sirrahved]

The same concept would apply to family members who have passed on, if you think about it. If you believe humans go to heaven/hell, then apply the same concept to pets and there you go :)

That's why I was asking. I DON'T believe family members/friends look down on us from heaven.

[cali]

if my pets dont go to heaven, then as far as I am concerned I will be in Hell. I firmly belive that all animals have souls, that includes Humans, if there were no animals in heaven then humans would not be in heaven, because we are just another species of animal, I will never understand people who insist that animals are a lower lifeform, because humans ARE animals, humans are primates, so are monkeys, monkeys are animals, so are we.

[lbaker]

sarrihdev, I'm surprised and disapointed in your response. Riptide, hopefully someone will attach the link to the Rainbow Bridge thought for you. Of course there is a special place for our special friends... four legger, two legger, feathered and scaled even ~ if they live in our hearts they live. Bless your heart dear and always feel the love.

[cyber-sibes]

A man realized that he had died when his old dog, lost many years earlier, came up to him, wagging his tail. So the man walked down the road with his beloved dog, wondering if the road led to heaven. After a while, he saw a fine house, and approached it, hoping for a drink of water for himself and his dog. He asked the man working outside if they could have a drink, and that man went into the house, saying "follow me" but turned at the door and said "sorry, you'll have to leave your dog outside. we don't allow dogs in here."

The man was stunned, and shook his head, turning to leave. He continued down the road, and eventually came to a farmhouse with an outdoor pump. He approached an older gentleman working outside, and again asked for a drink.

This man looked up, smiling - "Sure, help yourself. And there's a bowl next to the pump for your dog, too. He looks thirsty." He patted the old dog's head.

Overjoyed, the man and his dog drank their fill. They all stood in the cool shade and talked. Curious, he asked the older gentleman about the other house - "I thought maybe that was heaven, but now I don't know."

The older man smiled, "No, how could that be heaven? After all the love you've shared, why would God want you to leave your best friend behind?" The man hugged his dog and smiled. He knew he had found heaven after all.

Look to your heart for the answer. I believe every creature is God in a different disguise, and as such, possesses a soul. Love doesn't die. We all go on to whatever is next. :)

[Riptide]

I guess I feel a little better...thanks everyone :) And for those who wanted to know about Carly - she was an 11 year old Sheltie, and we had to put her down on Feb. 8th due to heart failure. Her heart rate was at 33 and it should have been around 100-120. It wouldn't have been fair for her to be living with less than 1/4 of her heart working so we had to put her down...here are a few pics of her.

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f174/Riptide-Photography/Canine/ccc8c5c4.jpg

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f174/Riptide-Photography/Canine/7eba7df3.jpg

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f174/Riptide-Photography/Canine/13864965.jpg

[sirrahved]

sarrihdev, I'm surprised and disapointed in your response. Riptide, hopefully someone will attach the link to the Rainbow Bridge thought for you. Of course there is a special place for our special friends... four legger, two legger, feathered and scaled even ~ if they live in our hearts they live. Bless your heart dear and always feel the love.


Surprised and disappointed? These are my religious beliefs. I love animals very much indeed, and still mourn the loss of my "rb" babies, even some of my animals from childhood. Why is it to not love them to think they stop existing after death? Some people think this happens to people, too.

[Jessika]

Oh my goodness, she was GORGEOUS!! I LOVE the second picture of her!

[Riptide]

thanks ^^ I want another sheltie so badly, but not right now...it's too early...

[cyber-sibes]

What a beautiful girl! Thanks for sharing some wonderful pictures of her.

[Jessika]

thanks ^^ I want another sheltie so badly, but not right now...it's too early...
You'll know when the time is right. And don't EVER think of it as "replacing" her, because NOTHING will ever replace a loved one.

[WolvesRawk]

They go to heaven. God loves all of his creatures. All of them go to heaven or hell(however, since animals are born good, I doubt there are very many in hell. If there were, it wouldn't be hell, would it? ;) )

[Rio&Nickysmommy]

I personally have no doubt that all of my past furbabies and relatives are waiting for me and looking down over me. Yes I am sure pets and loved ones see us morning them and crying. Yet within our hearts over time that mourning turns to great memories till we reunite. I belive this with my whole heart. I have seen so many people die being a Hospice Nurse (retired now) but I do belive in Heaven. The God I know and love would never ever take away something we love and that loves us for eternity. Do dogs and animals have souls. Just look into any animals or humans eyes and you can see their soul. At least thats what I have seen. Hugs and I am so sorry for your loss of such a beautiful baby.
Rio&Nickysmommy

[flamepony12]

I also believe they go to heaven. There's a beautiful Rainbow Bridge poem that's been written about losing an animal and then being reunited, gives me goosebumps every time.

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

And then you cross Rainbow Bridge together...

- Anonymous

[K9soul]

This is a very poignant flash/music version of the Rainbow Bridge.

http://indigo.org/rainbow/

[BitsyNaceyDog]

I don't believe dogs, or any animals will ever go to hell. Animals are not accountable for their deeds, so they will not be 'punished'...therefore, no animals in hell. I do believe animals have a soul, but it is different from our soul. I believe human beings are accountable for the deeds they commit in life, and the good will be rewarded with heaven, the evil, punished with hell. For animals, that is not the case. They don't need to be punished for anything.

As to animals being in heaven...for people who make it to heaven, I know that God has promised them complete happiness and bliss there, and they will get whatever they wish for in heaven. If a person in heaven wants his/her pet there, while religion doesn't explicitly mention it, I do believe God will give that person his/her pet. I do not believe animals will be in heaven as a 'reward' for THEM, as they don't do any wrong or right in this world...they don't have freedom of choice as humans in deeds and actions, but if a person wants his/her pet there, I'm sure God will bring that animal there for the good person's happiness.

That's basically what I believe.
For a long time I was told animals didn't have souls therefore didn't go to heaven, nor did they go to hell. I learned that I needed to stop believing what others believed and what they told me and I needed to start believing what was in my heart. I didn't believe in some of what my church taught me or how they did things, neither did Justin. We left our church and have since found we have a stronger relationship with God. With that said I now believe in my heart that animals do have souls. I believe that their souls are innocent and like babies and young children they do not have a day of judgment, they just go straight to heaven.

[Barbara]

I'm with Will Rogers: If dogs- or cats BTW- don't go to heaven I don't wanna go there either.

[shihtzulover850]

I have wondered that for a long time to. Especially after Snuggles had a close call and almost got hit by a car. I have prayed very hard for her and other dogs that they may go to heaven. I will pray for yours to. :)

[Pembroke_Corgi]

Carly was such a beautiful girl! I really believe that if humans have a soul that survives death, then dogs most certainly do too. And if there is a paradise waiting after death, then what kind of place would it be without other creatures? I can't imagine exisiting anywhere without all the creatures of our world- trees, birds, dogs, cats....

[shihtzulover850]

I agree.