Do dogs have souls?

My husband, David, recently asked me, “Do you think dogs have souls?” His dog, Ginger, was recently diagnosed with cancer and being 15 ½ years old, all we can do for her is provide her comfort and love. David longs to know that death will not be the end of this relationship with his dog. So I began to ponder his question, “Do you think dogs have souls?”

I only came to know Ginger three years ago when I met David again after 35 + years out of high school. We were married six months ago and Ginger has accepted me as part of their family!  I have never observed a relationship like the two of them have. In fact, sometimes I’m a little envious of the bond they share. Ginger has been the one thing that has stayed by David’s side and loved him unconditionally through all the heartache of divorce and loneliness. I believe that God sent Ginger to David to love him and care for him at a time he needed it, a time when he felt no one else cared. 

Ginger has offered the kind of love that is spoken about in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8. “Love is patient, (despite long hours of being left alone, needing to go to the bathroom but waiting until you get home) love is kind (welcoming all to the house and licking them on the hand). It does not envy (well maybe a little envy of her master’s new found love), it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” Her love for her master has never wavered nor failed.

When David leaves, Ginger searches for him continuously until he returns. Ginger sleeps with David and me but when David is gone out of town, Ginger sleeps on the couch by the door waiting for her master to come home. It is said, and I believe, that we search our whole lives for our Master. We search for Him in scripture, in church, in community, and in nature. Like Ginger, may we never lose sight of our Lord and Master and continue to search for Him while we wait patiently for His return.

David and Ginger look at each other with eyes that are full of love and caring for each other. “The eyes really are a window to the soul, according to scientists. Patterns in the iris can give an indication of whether we are warm and trusting or neurotic and impulsive.” Theologians say that animals do not have souls and point out that man was created superior to animals and that animals can’t be equal with him. But I have seen the warmth and trusting in Ginger’s eyes, and if eyes are the windows into the soul, then I have observed a beautiful soul in Ginger.

I found this little story and feel it might help David with his question.

Distraught, an elderly widow whose beloved little dog died after fifteen faithful years went to her pastor.

"Parson," she said, tears streaming down her cheeks, "the vicar said animals have no souls. My darling little dog Fluffy has died. Does that mean I won’t see her again in heaven?"

"Madam," said the old priest, "God, in his great love and wisdom has created heaven to be a place of perfect happiness. I am sure that if you need your little dog to complete your happiness, you will find her there."

So David, I am sure that God will, in his great love and wisdom when the time comes, love and care for Ginger. And some day if you need her to complete your happiness in heaven, Ginger will meet you at the gates.

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