Do animals go to heaven?

[barq2]

As a Franciscan, and lover of animals, I often wonder if animals go to heaven. I find it hard to accept the Catholic doctrine that they don't have souls and so can't enter heaven. So why did St Francis preach to the animals if they don't have souls? The garden of Eden was also full of animals (ok, the snake was a problem but it was Satan in disguise).

When I think of animals I've known well, like the cats I've had as pets, I find it really hard to accept they don't have a soul. When I've been ill they sit on my bed and comfort me. When I watch them they are there true authentic selves.

I don't follow Islam but was interested to discover Mohammed's love of cats. When a cat went to sleep on his sleave he cut it off rather than disturb the cat. I think you have to be a serious cat lover to do that!

[Charon]

Oh I know all the animals i cared for and loved will be there. It would not be Heaven for me if they are not, No disrespect to God but he knows dang well how much i loved and cared for rescues and personal animals. Any animal I could help without losing a finger or such.

I jokingly tell God i am staging a sit out of Heaven if my beloved fur friends are not there.
I don't know if they have souls per se but i never thought about that one too much.

I just know I pray for them, care for them with love, and that wherever they will go, so, too, will i.

Humble opinion and all.

[TrayGold]

Animals for sure are in heaven.

[Charon]

[barq2]

Oh I know all the animals i cared for and loved will be there. It would not be Heaven for me if they are not, No disrespect to God but he knows dang well how much i loved and cared for rescues and personal animals. Any animal I could help without losing a finger or such.

I jokingly tell God i am staging a sit out of Heaven if my beloved fur friends are not there.
I don't know if they have souls per se but i never thought about that one too much.

I just know I pray for them, care for them with love, and that wherever they will go, so, too, will i.

Charon, I agree very much, especially with your first paragraph. That's beautifully epressed.  

I don't presume to know what heaven will be like (or if I'll make the entry criteria!). But it wouldn't be heaven without the animals I have loved. Eden had animals, so why not Heaven.

There was an abandoned kitten, separated from his mum too early, very underweight, who I cared for. He lived 19 years and seemed to be more interested in humans than other cats. He would follow me everywhere. I noticed my dog owning friends always liked him more than the average cat as he seemed to slightly embody a doggy nature. When he had to make the unhappy one-way journey to the vet I cried more than when my Dad died - and please don't think I didn't love my Dad, I did very much. But there is something about the unconditional love a pet can give. I suppose that cat represented an important period in my life and I travel around too much to get another pet.

A more difficult question is the animals that aren't pets. When I visit my eldery Mum she has made her large garden into a sort of nature reserve. We can watch foxes and their cubs dancing as they play. I see documentaries with elephants mourning their dead and many other animals who also have grieving processes. I wonder if it is presumptious of us as humans to assume God doesn't care for animals too? The Bible speaks of Man (sic.) having "dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the heavens, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth" (Genisis). Dominion means control and with that surely goes with responsibility i.e. we can choose to be kind to them. Many of us eat animals, but I'm sure no Christian would wish them to suffer.

I suppose I'm a bit of an animist, seeing God in nature (animism is also heretical). Sometimes I've felt very close to God in churches, but also when admiring trees or little animals about their work.

[Charon]

I have met far better souls in animals of all kinds than in many a human being.
I don't do churches cuz i used to be asked to get up and preach. Did not want that.

I don't eat animals. Never would. They are friends to me, and I shall be beyond bewildered if I don't see all our animal protectorates in Heaven.

If Heaven is perfect, all the creatures God made will be right there with us. What a boring heaven it would be without horses i used to ride. and love.

I am not big on churches. I prefer the Lord visit me in my spirit. I do believe it will be beautiful and loving in heaven with all the animals. And i hate they have been tortured and beaten and eaten. *big story here in US about Haitians coming and eating our pets and geese*

The ones whom will be missing dissed God. I have known too many animals whom know my feelings. My pain. My Prince Harrison now, found me close to death about 8 months ago. I felt fur wrap around my neck and then his paws started movement on my chest. My houseshare came in then and knelt to pray as he thought I was dead. Then I began breathing again.

God uses this precious animals to keep some of us company. To give us love. That same God would not abandon them after they have changed so many of our lives.

I am not adverse to riding horses in Heaven. But if u have been ill or in trouble, I watch videos and have experienced animals of all sorts working to save us. That is God within.

And, the animals are just cool and know whom loves them back.

They have suffered on earth for man's
needs and I would have a tough time forgiving a God whom would let them have suffered for naught.

They love us and vice versa. No doubt about it.

[Charon]

i watch documentaries on so called wild animals and such, and whereas i won't look at death of them, i see the love the parents have for babies. how other herd animals try to protect each other.

I never thought about it much in my elder years as I know God better and surely he cannot be so cruel to his creations.