Do Dogs
Go To Heaven?
Now, about Rover, the dog—though for roving, I hardly
remember him away from my side! ...I almost believe that at one period, had I
been set to say who I was, I should have included Rover as an essential part of
myself. His tail was my tail; his legs were my legs; his tongue was my
tongue!—so much more did I, as we gamboled together, seem conscious of his joy
than of my own! Surely, among other and
greater mercies, I shall find him again! —George MacDonald, The Flight of the Shadow
We had to put our Westie to sleep last
week. Partially blind, deaf, mentally confused and in pain, it was the kindest
thing—but I do miss her.
In her last months
she seemed bewildered, dogging our steps, never allowing us out of her sight.
If I left the room she followed me and found a place on the floor near my feet.
She was “an essential part of myself.”
I mentioned several months ago that while
recovering from back surgery I exercised by walking up and down the hall.
Dolly, though arthritic and in pain, trudged after me dutifully as though we
are on our usual outdoor walk. Her loyalty and unconditional love tugged at my
heart.
I wonder, will there be dogs in heaven? The simplest answer is: Why not? One day there will be a new heaven (sky) and a new
earth (Revelation 21:1). If a new
earth, why a dead earth, like the moon, rather than an earth filled with trees,
mountains, rivers, and flowers like our present world? Why would God allow plants and flowers and other
aspects of this world, but not animals into heaven? Would He take from us there what He gives us here
for our joy? I think not. C.S.
Lewis’ speculated that in heaven we will be "between the angels who are
our elder brothers and the beasts who are our jesters, servants, and
playfellows” (That Hideous Strength).
More to the point, will my dog be in heaven? C.S. Lewis thought so.
He believed that our animals are
saved because of their association with us. They
achieve heaven because they are caught up in our lives, an essential part of
ourselves (The Problem of Pain). In another of his works, The
Great Divorce, Lewis describes a
woman in heaven surrounded by a gaggle of young children, angels, birds and
beasts.
“What are all these
animals? A cat—two cats—dozens of cats. And all those dogs... Why, I can’t
count them. And the birds. And the horses.”
“They are her beasts.”
“Did she keep a sort
of zoo? I mean, this is a bit too much.”
“Every beast and bird
that came near her had its place in her love. In her they became themselves.
And now the abundance of life she has in Christ from the Father flows over into
them.”
Would God, who created
animals, who preserved them through the Flood, who promised to redeem them, who
made us with the capacity to love them and grieve them when they’re gone—would
he revoke his decision to put animals once again under our care? I think not. Perhaps
then, among other and greater mercies, I shall find Dolly again!
David Roper
Sept 30, 2015
