Q. Will I see my pet dog in heaven? I miss her every day. She has passed on due to a hit and run accident 4 years ago. At first when it happened, I was very upset with God. I couldn’t understand why he allowed this to happen. I entrusted my dog’s safety to him. But over the years, I saw how God used her death for good purposes and slowly, I heal. I kept wishing and hoping that I would see her again but I fear so much that it wouldn’t happen.
I haven’t found a specific, direct answer to your question in the Bible, but my personal belief is that yes, we will see our beloved pets again in heaven.
I base this answer not so much on a particular biblical teaching as on the overall biblical message, that God’s salvation is intended to renew the entire creation. It is not limited to the regeneration of human souls and the eventual resurrection of human bodies. God wants to restore the creation to its original harmony and beauty, and originally humans lived with animals peacefully and cooperatively.
So I don’t see why heaven wouldn’t bring back this arrangement, and I don’t see why individual animals who lived on earth wouldn’t get in on it, just as individual humans who lived on earth will. Certainly the biblical prophets’ visions of God’s renewed creation include animals, and they are living once again in harmony with one another and with humans. As Isaiah says, for example:
The wolf will live with the lamb,
the leopard will lie down with the goat,
the calf and the lion and the yearling together;
and a little child will lead them.
So while, as I said, I can’t cite a specific biblical passage that answers your question directly, I think you have every reason to hope confidently that you will see your friend again.
Good Question 
I stumbled on your blog this morning in search on answers about sacrifice in the Old Testament. I then noticed your latest blog entry. I am a believer in the afterlife. I am also a practicing veterinarian. I have, on countless occasions had the chance to offer words of comfort at the passing of a beloved pet. I honestly believe that our pets will be with us in heaven. Thanks for your thoughtful response to this person’s question. ~ ron
Thanks for your encouraging words on this post, and for the comfort you offer to families as they say goodbye to pets who have become friends and family members.
Animals / beautiful birds and also former pets feature in many ‘Near Death Experiences’ of Heaven, so if they’re anything to go by – & they do seem convincing & Christian – then yes 🙂
I just lost my dog and I am so devastated.. Somehow these comments give me comfort, thank you guys. I really hope that we will see our pets in heaven, I miss him sooooo much 😦
My sympathies to you. I’m glad the post was encouraging. May you know God’s comfort and peace.
I, too have just had to euth my little friend because of a disease. The hardest part was watching – even though I knew she was suffering and ready to go. I’ve had to do this several times in the past, and as a lover of dogs, I know I’ll have to do it again. And as a born again Bible believing follower of the Lord Jesus Christ, I too have asked will I see them again. My thoughts are this – I may be wrong, and please correct me if so – but first, I think that love and emotion are aspects of the soul – and since dogs can feel them, I think they might have a little soul – even though Paul says there are different kinds of flesh (1 Cor. 15:39). My second thought is: that our loving Creator fully knows how much we love these little companions – not only did He make them for us enjoy and rule over (Gen. 2), but also as companionship (2 Sam. 12:3). I find it interesting that the parable Nathan confronted David with had to have been specifically word for word from the Lord. So if the Lord knew how much the poor man loved his little ewe lamb, surely He knows how much we love our little pups. Not dogma (no pun intended) – just encouragement that God will do perfectly right with our little fur friends.