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“In that day the wolf and the lamb will live together;..."
Isaiah 11:6 NLT

On July 25, 2017 three pit bulls attacked and killed my sister's pet dog, Saint, while he was on his leash in their backyard. When I got the news I began to cry. I experienced seeing a pit bull viscously attack and kill a small dog before. He was relentless and no matter how much we screamed he would not release the dog's neck from his grasp.

My sister, niece, and nephews are devastated. I never experienced the feeling of the death of a pet, especially in such a viscous way. My question to God was why did He not protect Saint? I know that God can utter a command to animals and they must obey. He commanded ravens to feed Elijah and the ravens obeyed. 1 Kings 17:4 So why did He not command the pit bulls to move away from Saint?

God said,"You live in a fallen world." Before the fall of man, man and animals dwelled peacefully together. There were no attacks or deaths. I noticed in the bible when God said , “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.” Genesis 2:18 Right after saying that, even before He made woman, He formed every beast and every fowl, brought them to Adam and allowed him to name them. Genesis 2:19 After forming them He said, “…But still there was no helper just right for him.” NLT It seems to me like they were originally created to dwell together peaceably like companions. Genesis 2:20 But after the first animal was sacrificed to cover Adam and Eve's nakedness and after man was removed from the Garden of Eden, it seems creation went into a survival mode. Genesis 3:17-19; Genesis 3:21; Genesis 3:23-24

• Why did God not protect Saint? Same question we sometimes ask when people are killed? Jesus told us in this world there will be tribulation but he has overcome this world. Meaning, in believing and trusting in Him as our Savior, Satan can destroy the physical but he cannot destroy our spirit and soul. Matthew 10:28 And to be absent from this body is to be present with the Lord. 2 Corinthians 5:6; 2 Corinthians 5:8 in the world to come, in the place prepared for us, in the our new home, in the New Jerusalem, there will never be death or tragedy. Revelation 21:2-4

But what about our pets? What about the animals? Do they go to heaven?

• Does God care about them? In Genesis He looked at all He created and said it was good! Genesis 1:31 Jesus taught us that He cares and takes care of the birds. Matthew 6:26 Yes God cares about all of His creation! And He cares about what we care about. 1 Peter 5:7 I believe the love we share for God's creation comes through His Spirit that is shed abroad in our hearts. Romans 5:5

• So where is Saint? Did he go to heaven? Although there is no salvation plan spoken for animals the bible list numerous animals that will be there while describing the eternal kingdom. Isaiah 11:6-8; Isaiah 65:25. Whether it will be our pets, the bible does not say, but we can rest assure that God loves all his creation which includes our pets.
  
• So why did He allow it to happen? Because we live in a fallen world, God allows nothing to happen that cannot work out for our good. Romans 8:28 For what the enemy meant for evil God works for good. Genesis 50:20

The scriptures that comforts us concerning our deceased ones says one day we will all be reunited together again! 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

• But this is the scripture God comforted me concerning pets, animals and us.
  “In that day the wolf and the lamb will live together; the leopard will lie down with the baby goat. The calf and the yearling will be safe with the lion, and a little child will lead them all. The cow will graze near the bear. The cub and the calf will lie down together. The lion will eat hay like a cow. [Stop right there! They won't eat each other or people! Hallelujah!] The baby will play safely near the hole of a cobra. Yes, a little child will put its hand in a nest of deadly snakes without harm.”
  NLT Isaiah 11:6-8

Interesting that his name was Saint which is defined in dictionary.com as a person typically regarded as being in heaven after death! Will Saint be in heaven? Well my nephew, Christian, took care of Saint and the bible says our good deeds follow us. Revelation 14:13 So Saint was part of his good deeds and I believe he will be with Christian in his heart in heaven!

God says, “____________ (insert your name) Cast all your cares on Me today because I care for you and all that concerns you, including ____________ (insert your pet or whatever you have concern of).

• Should we grieve the death of a pet?
  “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;” Ecclesiastes 3:1-4

Just don't sorrow as if there is no hope. Remember Jesus is our hope of glory!!!!!

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