Will there be Animals in Heaven?

[Melody]

My beloved dalmation pup Toby passed away this morning. He was born on the 17th November 04. He had been severely ill for the past 4 days - so though we're all pretty upset, I guess this is for the best.

The whole thing did make me wonder though - do you think there will be animals in heaven? Will we be reunited with our pets as well as our loved ones? Does the Catholic Church have any formal views on this?

Blessings,

Melody

[tklein1014]

I'm sorry about your puppy.  Our pets do become family members and the loss is terrible.  I don't know for sure what the Church's official views are on this, but as an animal lover who has lost a few beloved animal friends, I can't imagine heaven being heaven without at least some animals/plants being there.  It would be especially cool if we are reunited with our lost animal friends in addition to our lost relatives.  I would consider it a bonus.

Tina

[Melody]

Thx Tina,

Only animal lovers understand the real pain of losing a beloved pet.

I agree with you, it would be cool & great to be reunited with our pets there!

Also, the Garden of Eden was filled with animals... and God did make them before man... so I can't imagine God not wanting His creation in heaven with Him.

I think it's egoistic of mankind to assume we're all that God loves...

When Jesus rebuked His disciples for worrying in Luke 12, He used inanimate nature as an example of God's providence & care over His creation...

  27“Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 28If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith!

... I would assume His care over living creatures must surely be must more?

Blessings,

Melody

[jesuvera]

On the authority of St. Thomas Aquinas I find myself arguing against the case.

The Scripture talks about the renewal of the world wherein man's corruption and mortality will come to an end. "For this corruptible must put on incorruption: and this mortal must put on immortality." (1 Cor. 15:53)

And therefore in the renewal of the world, only what is incorrupt and immortal would find place therein viz. the heavenly bodies, the elements and man.

"For the heavenly bodies are by their very nature incorruptible both as to their whole and as to their part: the elements are corruptible as to their parts but incorruptible as a whole: while men are corruptible both in whole and in part, but this is on the part of their matter not on the part of their form, the rational soul to wit, which will remain incorrupt after the corruption of man. on the other hand, dumb animals, plants, and minerals, and all mixed bodies, are corruptible both in their whole and in their parts, both on the part of their matter which loses its form, and on the part of their form which does not remain actually; and thus they are in no way subjects of incorruption. Hence they will not remain in this renewal, but those things alone which we have mentioned above." (Summa, St. Thomas Aquinas)

[Seeker]

Great reference Jesuvera. 

I should have realized the Angelic Doctor would have covered this one already.