This will be a tear-jerker for you pet owners and animal lovers. On Friday August 23rd our Golden Retriever-Labrador-Great Dane mix had to be put down. He was 12 years old. For five months, we were able to slow the growth of a polyp in his nose and enjoy each other as a family, though he had slowed down a bit, he still had good quality of life. He was running around the backyard, occassionally bringing us his toys, and continued to snuggle with us on the couch (our favorite pass-time). However, in his final week, the polyp had rapidly grown too large to manage with medication and his quality of life was starting to suffer. Although he wagged his tail whenever we went up to pet him, he started isolating himself, moping around all day with his eyes barely able to open; it was clear he was in pain. Radiation would’ve been too much on his senior body and his quality of life would be even worse. We had to make the incredibly tough decision to put his comfort ahead of our desire to keep him around and had him euthanized. I’ve been through many tough things and this one has been one of the toughest. He was my best friend and a constant reminder of Jesus’s love for me everytime I looked at him, this dog pointed me to Christ by the way he comforted me, was always with me, and so many other descriptives… too many to list here. It’s a difficult, sad time getting used to life without him, but I take great comfort in knowing he is in Heaven. I truly believe that. Here’s why…
“A righteous man regards the life of his animal, But the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.” (Proverbs 12:10)
In this verse, God gives us clear guidance on how we are to treat animals. God created animals for the use of mankind (Genesis 1:28; 9:3), whether that is for practical reasons such as assistance in farming, police or military work or for companionship and pure enjoyment. God also expects us to respect and care for those resources and companions, not to abuse them. Looking to the Word of God, Solomon connects a person’s righteousness (that is, their trust and devotion to God) to their treatment of animals. BibleRef.com gives great insight in their article on how Proverbs 12:10 ought to be interpreted, “The God-fearing (Proverbs 1:7) person will treat them kindly, feed them properly, and care for them when they hurt.”
In his regard for his animals, the righteous person resembles the Good Shepherd, Jesus. The Good Shepherd cares for the basic needs of His flock (Psalm 23:2). He protects them (John 10:3–4, 11). In a related passage, Deuteronomy 25:4 commanded the farmers of Israel not to muzzle an ox when it is treading out the grain. A cruel farmer would muzzle his ox to prevent it from eating some grain. While this might save some time, and a tiny amount of harvest, it is unkind and unhelpful to the animal. In contrast to godly attitudes, a wicked person’s approach to animals can’t be anything more than cruelty. Even their “mercy,” in such a case, is relatively harsh and abusive. Cruelty to animals is seen today in staged dog fights, in starving animals, in animal beatings, in neglecting proper care of pets, and in abandoning helpless animals. Believers need to be careful not to elevate animals to equal human beings (Genesis 1:26–27). However, preventing animal cruelty and rescuing abused animals both reflect a godly attitude towards creation and a heart that is ever-growing in the purification of mercy, humility, and compassion in Christ. (Source: BibleRef.com)
Genesis 1:30 tells us that all animals were created to eat grass. Man also only ate plants and fruit. It was after The Fall in chapter 3 when Adam & Eve’s rebellion against God that brought about sin, pain, suffering, death, destruction and killing into the world. Animals no longer exclusively fed on plants but have been kept in a continuous cycle that is evidence of how sin affects all of creation. We have all seen how savage and brutal the animal kingdom could be, for both predator and prey, via The Discovery Channel and National Geographic. Isaiah 65 talks about the New Heaven and New Earth; how there will be no presence of sin, no death or destruction, no sadness and no pain.Verse 25 says the wolf and lamb will feed together and the lion will eat straw like the ox, dust will be the serpent’s food and “they will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain”. This of course describes God’s kingdom which we will dwell in forever. I believe it also includes animals because of Genesis 1:30 and knowing the character of God as the ultimate unifier and restorer.
Revelation 5:13 says:
“And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!”
Jesus paid the ultimate price to conquer sin, death, and the devil. He will establish His kingdom, restore everything, and ALL creatures will worship Him into eternity.
Whether you believe that all dogs go to heaven or not, it is one of those nuanced topics that is a tertiary issue and one that this dog-mama is at peace with. Here is a video where I go a bit in detail about my testimony about my dog.
Another article that I wrote to support the reasons I believe my dog is in Heaven: Here
Here are a few of many, many pictures we’ve taken of my dog recently:
