Do Dogs go to Heaven?

---

Dealing with the loss of a pet can be extremely difficult. Dogs are not just tools humans use for hunting or protecting livestock; they are a part of our family. Losing a dog is like losing a family member, and getting over such a tragedy is one of the hardest things you will have to do.

There are more than 3.000 religions in the world, and some of them offer us ways of coping with the losses of family members and friends. For us, our dogs are both - family members and best friends. Luckily, many of these religions have different explanations about what goes on in the afterlife, and one of the most significant religions in the world is Christianity. When dealing with the loss of a pet, many Christian dog owners ask themselves, “Do dogs got to heaven?”

So, do dogs go to heaven?

The Bible is the sacred book of all Christians, and everything that needs to be understood about that religion can be found in it. Unfortunately, this book was written and created through a period of 1.300 years, and dogs had a completely different role back then. The Bible doesn’t offer us a clear answer to the question, “Do dogs go to heaven?” There is nothing in there that explicitly states that dogs have a special place in heaven.

Different theories

If you are a Christian, you might want to know there are many theories by historical theologists regarding dogs going to heaven God created. Since the Christian God is good and wants all that is best for us, surely, he (or she) would allow dogs in. This religion says that all those that are good and believe in God will be allowed to come to the Kingdom of Heaven, and what is better than a dog?

One dog breed played a massive role in one of the biggest religions in the world. Check out the role these dogs had in Buddhism - Fun facts about the Lhasa Apso.

Dogs are the only beings (other than parents) that will put our needs before their own. There is nothing purer than a dog’s love towards their owners, and it would be very hypocritical not to allow such good animals into heaven. Honestly, if the Silver City doesn’t allow dogs, we are not sure we want to end up there.

Luckily, some esteemed Christian philosophers and priests touched and commented on this topic, and they have laid their theories about dogs and their relationship with heaven. Here are some of the most interesting responses;

C.S. Lewis

C.S. Lewis was a well-known Christian apologist, but he is best known as the author of a series of books called “The Chronicles of Narnia.” His theory and answer to the question, “Do dogs go to heaven?” is - it depends. Dogs can go to heaven through the faith of their owners. The relationship their owners had with God will determine whether their dogs will go to heaven. He believed that dogs are subordinate to men, and their owners’ virtue and faith will determine their fate. The exact theory goes like this;

"The theory I am suggesting... makes God the center of the universe and man the subordinate center of terrestrial nature: the beasts are not co-ordinate with man, but subordinate to him, and their destiny is through and through related to his. And the derivative immortality suggested for them is not a mere amende or compensation: It is part and parcel of the new heaven and new earth, organically related to the whole suffering process of the world's fall and redemption."

- C.S. Lewis, “The Problem of Pain,” Chapter 9, 1940, p. 145

Martin Luther

Martin Luther was one of the biggest reformists in the history of the Christian Church. He didn’t even know that his life philosophies will start a whole denomination called Lutherans within the Christiandom. Martin Luther was a dog owner, and when asked whether he believes dogs go to heaven, he answered this;

"Certainly there will be, for Peter calls that day the time of the restitution of all things. Then, as clearly said elsewhere, he will create new Tolpels (his dog’s name was Tolpel) with the skin of gold and hair of pearls. There and then, God will be all in all.

No animal will eat any other. Snakes and toads and other beasts which are poisonous on account of original sin will then be not only innocuous but even pleasing and nice to play with. Why is it that we cannot believe all things will happen as the Bible says, even in this article of resurrection? Original sin is at fault."

- From Preserved Smith, "The Life and Letters of Martin Luther," London: John Murray, 1911, p. 362

Dealing with the loss of a pet is not easy. Check out this article for some helpful tips - Grieving a pet.

What do the owners say?

If you ever ask a religious dog owner, “Do dogs go to heaven?” we are pretty sure you would get a simple and straightforward answer - Yes. Dog owners will do anything for their dogs, and most believe dogs actually go to heaven. Most religions in the world are based on love, and an animal filled with so much unconditional love surely has to go to heaven, right?

In conclusion

Whether dogs go to heaven is an individual question for every dog owner individually. Religion is precisely that - faith. If you believe your dog goes to heaven, there is no reason you should think or believe otherwise. The whole notion is based upon each individual believing in the afterlife, and if their belief is true, why wouldn’t that afterlife, in this case, heaven, include their favorite, loving, and faithful dogs?

World Dog Finder team