[worthbeads]

What happens to animals other that humans when they die? Are they supposed to go to heaven or not? Why or why not?

[Fr_Chuck]

Of course one persons heaven would be with dogs, another cats, another free of animals.

Since God created animals and loved them, I am sure he will have animals there, but our specific animals do not have souls and are not being saved or going to heaven as we do

[paraclete]

Animals have their reward here

[Capuchin]

This is an interesting topic. If animals have their reward here, why don't we have our reward here also? I'm certainly enjoying being here :)

[buzzman]

It was explained to me this way... The soul is the "Seat of your personality". Animals most definitely have personalities, so they have a soul. What they lack is a spirit. The spirit is a gift from God that is exclusive to human beings only. It is this unique quality that has made us separate from any other living being on earth. God gave us dominion over all living creatures on the earth. I don't believe there is a heaven for animals. It is my understanding that it is the spirit that gives you the chance for heaven because it allows you the freedom to choose. Humans are the only ones capable of choosing right from wrong. I hope this helps.

[Choux]

Death is final for all plants and animals.

For some reason, it's usually Americans, people think that unpleasant events "shouldn't happen" to them, but they happen to everyone, we all suffer loss, terrible losses. The important thing is to know how to deal with losses of all kinds and not to be "destroyed" by them.

[bushg]

animals have their reward here

I find that statement hard to believe, Look at michael vicks animals. I hope that is not all they had to look forward to. How depressing.

[GlindaofOz]

Personally, I could not imagine a heaven without animals. If that's the case I don't want to go.

[CaptainRich]

they lack is a spirit. The spirit is a gift from God that is exclusive to human beings only. It is this unique quality that has made us separate from any other living being on earth. God gave us dominion over all living creatures on the earth.

This concept wouldn't sit well with the early occupants of this wedge of planet. They existed simply and symbiotically with a reverence for everything that was provided for them by their great spirit. They say the eagle and the bear, for example, to be wise because both the eagle and the bear weren't wasteful or arrogant, and only took what they required.

[worthbeads]

This concept wouldn't sit well with the original occupants of this wedge of planet. They existed simply and symbiotically with a reverence for everything that was provided for them by their great spirit. They say the eagle and the bear, for example, to be wise because both the eagle and the bear weren't wasteful or arrogant, and only took what they required.

CaptainRich raises a good point. Why are we considered God's children when we are the most destructive race on the planet?

[Fr_Chuck]

Because we can be his children not his pets. Since evil entered the world though sin, things have become preverted and destructive.

[worthbeads]

But animals are only perverted and destructive if we interfere with them.

[CaptainRich]

I'm previously from Alaska. And I've hunted most of my life. I've enjoyed the opportunity to sit and watch animals in the wild, without the need to take.

Have you ever watched wolves hunt? And afterwards have a grand celebration, because their bellies were full? They're very social.

Or watched as two squirrels play games of tag or hide-and-seek? They have shown me their spirit.

We don't hold the corner on that term, spirit, just our version of the word.