Question:
Dr. Lindstrom, One of my dogs passed on lastnight. He was 18 yrs old. I am struggling with the grief, but would like to know if you believe there is an afterlife for pets. You thoughts would be appreciated.
Answer:
While the life of our pets give us joy and companionship, we only have them for a short time. God created ONLY man in His image. Pets do not have spirits and therefore cease to exist once they have died. The loss is real and can be painful. God understands our heartaches. We need to be thankful to God for the animals He has provided and accept that he made them finite for a reason known only to Him. God was good to allow the long life that your dog experienced. God was apparently merciful to you and your dog for you to have him so long. Many other pet owners are not as blessed as you. I am sorry about your loss. But I have good news! I believe that there will be animals in heaven. Not the ones we lost here. But there will be animals for us to enjoy. Jesus will come back at the Second Coming on a White horse. We also as believers will return with Christ on white horses. Check out Revelation 19:11-14 which says, “And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.”