Expert: Elder Greg Madden - 2/28/2008

Question
My wife and I was discussing the other day on what happens when a dog dies, I believe that once a dog dies that is it, but my wife seems to think that because they all have their own personality and feeling that they also must have a soul, thus, when a dog dies they must go to some sort of an afterlife. I can not find anything in the bible to support both side of the argument, so we want to seek professional advice?

Answer
Bro MArk,

Thank you for the opportunity to help. You are right Mark, when a dog (or any animal) dies, they simply die.  

There is no animal of any kind is eternal.  The only created creatures that are eternal, are angels and men and women.  Dogs simply become dust in the universe.  They were given for man's enjoyment and service.  Other animals like cows, pigs, etc. were given specifically for food for mankind, and they too simply become dust, with no eternal life.  In fact, as you go through the creation account, it is all rather impersonal, "let there be light, let there be green plants, let the land produce living creatures, etc.," however, when God comes to create man, it all changes, and God says, "Let us create man in our image....."  Men and women are like no other creature on earth, we have eternal souls and are designed to have a relationship with the living God.  Animals do not have a relationship to God, they have no means of communication to God, they are much like plants, in that they only serve a function and then die.
http://www.biblebb.com/files/tonyqa/tc99-51.htm


But do animals have souls? Animals may be said to have souls—if the word “soul” is used as the Bible employs it in discussing members of the animal kingdom (i.e., to describe only the physical life force found within all living creatures). But if the word “soul” is used to refer to an immortal soul that one day will inhabit heaven or hell, then no, animals may not be said to possess a soul. This is the only conclusion that can be drawn, respecting the instruction on the subject found within the Word of God.
http://www.apologeticspress.org/articles/448

Please let me know if this helps, or if you have any further questions.

Elder Greg Madden
http://www.forministry.com/USOKPENTEMMM1