An often touchy subject is the one of our animals being with us in heaven. This can get touchy partly because of the level of attachment we get to our pets. The pet grooming industry alone is billions of dollars a year. Often times we treat our animals like part of the family, and people can get passionate about their little furry "family members."
Our pets can be a very real and effective blessing from God. My cats have soothed hurt feelings for my wife and me many times. They are a true joy to have, even when they tear stuff up. As much as I do truly "love" my pets, I cannot by any measure of wanting make it true or not true that they have eternal souls and will be in heaven.
That is essentially what the answer comes down to: an eternal soul. I do not see anything in scripture (or in my cats) that would lead me to believe animals possess a soul. However, as ones created in the "likeness of God" humans do possess an eternal soul.
With the joy and comfort we receive from our pets, I would like to think animals will be in heaven, but I do not expect to see long lost pets greeting me at the pearly gates.
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