All dogs go to Heaven?

This is a question I have been asked many times, so I decided to take a deeper dive into the subject: Do our animals go to Heaven? Will we get to see them again? This is just a hypothesis, so don’t kill the messenger, It is just theory and what I think.

In many traditional interpretations, salvation is uniquely associated with human beings. Scriptures like Romans 8:19–22 suggest that all creation is eagerly awaiting the liberation found in the redemption of humanity. Many theologians have argued that while animals are part of God’s good creation and will certainly experience the renewal of a new heaven and new earth—as described in Revelation 21—this renewal doesn’t necessarily imply that animals receive salvation in the same way humans do. Essentially, the human soul is viewed as uniquely capable of an eternal relationship with God because of our capacity for moral choice and spiritual awareness.

Many early church fathers, including Augustine and, later, medieval thinkers like Thomas Aquinas, maintained that animals do not possess souls that are immortal in the same way humans do. Their focus was on human redemption and salvation. However, there was also a strong current of thought—exemplified by the spirituality of figures like St. Francis of Assisi—where the inherent goodness of all life was celebrated. This perspective allowed for a view that, while animals might not have an eternal destiny in the conventional salvific sense, they would be fully integrated into the renewed creation. This renewed creation would reflect the original harmony God intended in Genesis, where every creature finds its rightful place.

Modern theologians have revisited and sometimes reinterpreted these classic positions. Some argue that the prophetic visions found in Isaiah 11:6–9 and Isaiah 65:25, where predators and prey coexist peacefully, hint at a cosmic restoration that includes all of creation—animals being an essential part of that renewal. The idea of a cosmic Christ, where the redemption won by Jesus extends to every corner of the universe, encourages the belief that animals, as part of creation, share in the joy of that redeemed state. Instead of viewing animal existence as requiring salvation, many see it as being naturally restored to the state of harmony originally intended for the earth.

Philosophically, the discussion touches on what it means for creation to be “redeemed.” Is redemption purely a human experience, or is it the ultimate reordering of all things back to a state of balance and beauty? For many who have experienced a deep bond with their animal companions, the idea that these relationships might persist in some form in God’s renewed creation is both comforting and inspiring. Rather than focusing solely on individual salvation, this interpretation emphasizes the interconnectivity of all life in the cosmic plan. The notion is less about animals “going to heaven” on their own and more about a comprehensive renewal of every part of creation—a return to the original goodness declared in Genesis 1:31.

I personally think during the thousand year reign (Rev 20:1-6) on earth, YES there will still be animals, but to think they will rise to heaven after the reign is in debate and I personally believe that they will not be ascended to Heaven with the rest of creation. This is just my opinion but I would be happy to discuss.

Each perspective offers a rich tapestry of ideas that have evolved over the centuries. Whether one leans toward a strictly human-focused salvation or a more holistic, redeemed cosmos, the discussion invites us to reflect on the beautiful mystery of a world in which every creature—and every human—is woven into God’s grand design.

Through the Bible…..as it Happened This is a paid link, but worth the read!