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Will I See My Dog In Heaven
Original Edition of I Will See You in Heaven What do you Will we see our dogs and cats in the hereafter? Does God's plan for eternity include the created nonhuman world? Franciscan friar and popular writer Father Jack Wintz brings a love for all creation and infectious enthusiasm to the serious task of exploring answers to these long-asked questions, In Will I See My Dog in Heaven? Father Jack admits that no one really knows what God has in mind for us in the next life. But in ten thoughtful chapters, he lines up evidence from the Scriptures, Christian tradition and liturgy, and the life and teachings of St. Francis of Assisi, that God desires all creatures (yes, including our beloved pets!) in the afterlife.
153 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
April 30, 2018
A sweet gentle book full of biblical references that make a strong case that God loves all creatures equally. I believe I will see all of my pets in heaven!
August 30, 2015
Uplifting read for those with a swollen heart after loss of a beloved pet; especially for this reader who lost
a brilliant being of a chocolate lab who was a remarkable blessing to our family.
a brilliant being of a chocolate lab who was a remarkable blessing to our family.
September 15, 2025
why,I thought the book would be better then it was that's why I am glad I borrowed it
November 4, 2009
(Wintz, Jack. Will I See My Dog in Heaven? Massachusetts : Paraclete Press. 2009. 153pp.)
Father Wintz, a Franciscan friar, explores a question he has pondered for years.
His thoughts first appeared in article form in St. Anthony Messenger magazine. Motivated by a large reader response and devotional study of St. Francis, he expanded the original material into book length. The question in the book’s title “sounds like a naïve kid’s question”, Father Wintz said in an interview with Catholic News Service June 13, “but I think it fits in this broader context of the question of salvation for all creation.”
The question in its simplicity and profundity evokes Blake’s Songs of Innocence, Songs of Experience. Both poet and priest speak of theological ideas with the wisdom of children. The thesis of the book is that God’s plan for salvation includes all of creation. In ten chapters the author supports his thesis with evidence from Scripture, the works of St. Francis of Assisi and Judeo-Christian tradition.
Father Wintz builds his seminal concept chapter by chapter. The Genesis story includes the refrain, “and God saw it was good.” All of creation, including animals, reflect God’s goodness. The Garden of Eden ,where all creatures live in harmony, serves as a metaphor for a world reborn. God’s concern for animals and their part in salvation is evident in the stories of Noah and Jonah. In Psalms 104,148 and Daniel chapter three, all of creation are on pray full journey of praise to the creator. In the Canticle of Creatures, St. Francis addresses animals and the natural world as brother and sister. The saint’s language accentuates the familial relationship of all creation. Father Wintz, a man of faith, concludes with the belief that all creation will be saved and paradise regained.
The book, not mired in theology, is readable and appeals to a general audience. It is, however, a tad repetitive. One wonders if the original form was a better fit.
For those of us who have watched as our beloved pets cross Rainbow Bridge, be consoled by Father Wintz‘s closure, “Yes, with heartfelt thanks to God’s saving love for the whole family of creation, I will see my dog in heaven!”
Father Wintz, a Franciscan friar, explores a question he has pondered for years.
His thoughts first appeared in article form in St. Anthony Messenger magazine. Motivated by a large reader response and devotional study of St. Francis, he expanded the original material into book length. The question in the book’s title “sounds like a naïve kid’s question”, Father Wintz said in an interview with Catholic News Service June 13, “but I think it fits in this broader context of the question of salvation for all creation.”
The question in its simplicity and profundity evokes Blake’s Songs of Innocence, Songs of Experience. Both poet and priest speak of theological ideas with the wisdom of children. The thesis of the book is that God’s plan for salvation includes all of creation. In ten chapters the author supports his thesis with evidence from Scripture, the works of St. Francis of Assisi and Judeo-Christian tradition.
Father Wintz builds his seminal concept chapter by chapter. The Genesis story includes the refrain, “and God saw it was good.” All of creation, including animals, reflect God’s goodness. The Garden of Eden ,where all creatures live in harmony, serves as a metaphor for a world reborn. God’s concern for animals and their part in salvation is evident in the stories of Noah and Jonah. In Psalms 104,148 and Daniel chapter three, all of creation are on pray full journey of praise to the creator. In the Canticle of Creatures, St. Francis addresses animals and the natural world as brother and sister. The saint’s language accentuates the familial relationship of all creation. Father Wintz, a man of faith, concludes with the belief that all creation will be saved and paradise regained.
The book, not mired in theology, is readable and appeals to a general audience. It is, however, a tad repetitive. One wonders if the original form was a better fit.
For those of us who have watched as our beloved pets cross Rainbow Bridge, be consoled by Father Wintz‘s closure, “Yes, with heartfelt thanks to God’s saving love for the whole family of creation, I will see my dog in heaven!”
January 2, 2018
I picked this book up from the library shortly after we had to put our dog down a few months ago. It has sat on our book shelf and I was getting ready to return it unread. Today would have been our dog, Holden's 16th birthday and I found myself reaching for this book. I sat down to read a chapter or two and ended up finishing the whole thing in one sitting.
This book was well thought out and well written. It gives several examples of biblical text and writings from St. Francis as well as biblical scholars regarding animals and heaven. I found this book to be very comforting and I will use many of these examples the next time my children ask me if we will ever see Holden again.
This book was well thought out and well written. It gives several examples of biblical text and writings from St. Francis as well as biblical scholars regarding animals and heaven. I found this book to be very comforting and I will use many of these examples the next time my children ask me if we will ever see Holden again.
February 12, 2017
I am loving this book. After losing our golden retriever Angel this past Wednesday after 14 1/2 years of unconditional wonderful love, it's very raw. Something told me last night to pull this off my shelf and read it. I haven't been able to put it down. It is a blanket over me, helping my grief along and knowing as I have always known, that we will be together again. I will right Father Jack after finishing this book and thank him. It's a blessing.
January 13, 2010
Not only will we see our dogs in heaven, we will see our cats, horses, rabbits, etc. for God created humans and animals.
June 8, 2011
Author shows biblical and spiritual reasons that give confidence that we wil not only see our beloved pets in heaven but all of creation. I liked the book.
February 17, 2016
Now that I know I will see him in heaven I realized I'd better do my best to get myself there! I did like this book very much. Read it right after losing my dog.
August 25, 2016
A deeper-than-expected, comforting read as I continue to mourn the loss of my old bulldog Emmet.
December 29, 2016
A beautiful affirmation of the whole of creation, based on Franciscan spirituality.
November 10, 2020
A deeply thoughtful and very consoling book, and I learned something while reading it. For example:
"a key point of the Franciscan view, surprising to some, is this: the Word of God did not become a creature and a human being because of Adam and Eve's sin. On the contrary, the Divine Word became flesh because from all eternity, God wanted Christ to become creation's most perfect work..." (pages 68 and 69 of the paperback edition, in chapter 5.)
A little further down this page, Father Jack explains these views were espoused by Duns Scotus. Now I know who Duns Scotus was, and I love Hopkins' poems about him even more. This is awesome.
Awesome, too, is the story of St. Francis's death, which I had actually not read before. And there are, of course, many charming animal stories, both from the time of St. Francis and from the present day. I strongly agree that heaven would not be heaven without our beloved animal companions, but Father Jack also encourages reverence and kindness toward our fellow creatures in the here and now.
A delightful book
"a key point of the Franciscan view, surprising to some, is this: the Word of God did not become a creature and a human being because of Adam and Eve's sin. On the contrary, the Divine Word became flesh because from all eternity, God wanted Christ to become creation's most perfect work..." (pages 68 and 69 of the paperback edition, in chapter 5.)
A little further down this page, Father Jack explains these views were espoused by Duns Scotus. Now I know who Duns Scotus was, and I love Hopkins' poems about him even more. This is awesome.
Awesome, too, is the story of St. Francis's death, which I had actually not read before. And there are, of course, many charming animal stories, both from the time of St. Francis and from the present day. I strongly agree that heaven would not be heaven without our beloved animal companions, but Father Jack also encourages reverence and kindness toward our fellow creatures in the here and now.
A delightful book
October 11, 2018
This book comes mainly from the roman Catholic spiritual tradition which can be a plus or minus for various readers. Father Wintz is sincere about helping grieving pet parents find reassurance that they will indeed be united with their pets in heaven. In fact, Wintz believes that all creation will be redeemed in the coming new heaven and new earth. But the book falls short because it spends a fair bit of time talking about St. Francis and the traditional beliefs about his life and his interactions with animals. The "spirit" of the book was tender and caring to those grieving, but it didn't really feel convincing to me. However, if you are grieving the loss of a furbaby, I would still recommend this book, along with numerous others. Speaking from experience, I know that grieving pet parents need lots of reassurance, from lots of angles.
December 5, 2022
I recently lost my dog who I had for over half my life. It truly is a beyond heartbreaking stage I’m going through, and this book helped me greatly. I had and still have no doubts he’s up in heaven, but it was nice to be able to tie it to some biblical references and see firsthand how special animals are to God.
January 4, 2021
This book was comforting and reassuring to me and I appreciate my friends, Mary Kay and Ed, sending it to me. I agree with the author that God loves all of His creation.
July 9, 2021
A beautiful book that expounds scriptures to declare that God works to save all his creations and yes, our beloved pets will be with us in Heaven. I appreciated this book so much.
February 20, 2018
We sadly had to say goodbye to our 12 year old beautiful Sheltie, Monty, recently on January 18,2018. We are gutted and heartbroken. This book was recommended by friends, in the hope that it would give us some comfort and reassurance, who like us have asked the same questions, will we see our pets again in Heaven? This book written by a Franciscan priest expertly makes a good case that we will see them again, drawing from the Bible, Franciscan tradition and personal experience. It is thought provoking and well worth a read.
February 5, 2010
When I saw this book I thought it would be interesting to see how someone would tackle this question theologically. Jack Wintz does a great job of explaining that no one really knows what Heaven will be like, but he basically shows how Biblically God reiterates that He loves all creation, not just humans. He also focuses on St. Francis, the saint of animals, a lot for obvious reasons and also because Wintz is a Franciscan friar himself. Overall, a good exploration of this topic.
A quote from the book I really like makes the point that all of creation - land, plants, animals, humans, everything was made to glorify God. "If we looked around and listened to the world around us, and if the singing birds could be formed into a chorus and the rustling breeze and tinkling rain could have a voice, and the roar of the ocean could be put into words, they would all have one thing to say: 'We were made for the sake of Jesus Christ.' " (p.74)
A quote from the book I really like makes the point that all of creation - land, plants, animals, humans, everything was made to glorify God. "If we looked around and listened to the world around us, and if the singing birds could be formed into a chorus and the rustling breeze and tinkling rain could have a voice, and the roar of the ocean could be put into words, they would all have one thing to say: 'We were made for the sake of Jesus Christ.' " (p.74)
October 13, 2013
It is apparent that Fr. Jack did not envision people not of the Catholic persuasion to be reading his book (as he frequently comments on the reader's adherence to and acceptance of Catholic teachings). That made this a little odd for me, but I think that Wintz is at his best when giving (even off-handedly) an excellent example of pastoral wisdom vs. Catholic theology as well as giving reason for why God would have reason to include all of His creation in the plan for salvation.
January 19, 2010
A very good book about whether our pets will meet us in Heaven by Jack Wintz, a Francisan priest. He cites many verses from the Bible and other works in answering this question. He says that although no one knows for sure, from his research, he believes that God has a place for our pets in Heaven.
April 28, 2011
I liked this little book that I picked up in Sedona last fall. I have been in disagreement with organized religion for the lack of belief that animals are a part of the kingdom of God. whatever that may be.
This book outlined where the bible has included all of creations of God's as heavenly. It wasn't conclusive (is religion ever) but it was interesting.
Recommend.
This book outlined where the bible has included all of creations of God's as heavenly. It wasn't conclusive (is religion ever) but it was interesting.
Recommend.
June 20, 2009
This book was not exactly what I had expected - mainly from a Catholic theology perspective. But it does raise an interesting question that we cannot really answer. Could be a good discussion point.
before-2021
January 27, 2014very uplifting and a great reminder that we are. not alone on this earth. praise God
September 17, 2017
I was first drawn to this book when Richard Rohr recommended it following the death earlier this year of his beloved black lab Venus. I was privileged to meet Venus in the flesh (and her owner Richard) when I visited the Centre for Action and Contemplation in 2016. We have our own black lab and I felt a kindred spirit with Richard in his grieving his loss. After reading this book, I am even more persuaded that I will meet not only Richard in the next life but perhaps also our beloved pets.
But the wonders of this book extend far beyond any attempt to answer the question framed in the book's title. It offers a simple overview of Franciscan spirituality and a fresh appreciation for this saint who possessed a special fondness for all of God's special creatures. Francis understood the magnitude of Incarnation and the place in it of all living beings.
The author is himself a Franciscan priest and seems especially equipped to offer a broad analysis of both scripture and Franciscan theology in exploring the place of animals in the Kingdom: "It is difficult for those who take the Incarnation seriously, and who adhere to a profound creation spirituality, to imagine a final paradise without the creatures that God first created, as well."
I was completely taken by the elaborate description of the annual St. Francis day celebration at the Episcopal Cathedral of St. John the Divine, the largest Gothic cathedral in the world located in Upper Manhattan, NYC. Imagine the "standing-room-only crowd of 3,500 men, women and children - with dogs, cats, gerbils, turtles, parrots, and other pets at their sides - (as they) worshipped and praised their loving Creator with song and dance and colonial banners."
Or St. Boniface Church in San Francisco where Franciscan friar Father Floyd Lotito for over 15 years has opened his church to the blessing of animals on the feast of St. Francis. At one point during this ceremony, the friar invites the people to bring their pets forward to be blessed individually. I love it!
What will heaven be like? I hesitate to even imagine. But this book has invited me to imagine the special place that God's creatures will have in heaven. And I daresay that this chorus may include my beloved pets - Muffy, Carrots, Brodie, Delilah, and Roo. I'm not sure about Kristy's 7 hamsters, but when God created them, he also called them "very good!"
"Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, everything in the universe cry out: 'To the one who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor, glory and might, forever and ever'" (Revelation 5: 13).
But the wonders of this book extend far beyond any attempt to answer the question framed in the book's title. It offers a simple overview of Franciscan spirituality and a fresh appreciation for this saint who possessed a special fondness for all of God's special creatures. Francis understood the magnitude of Incarnation and the place in it of all living beings.
The author is himself a Franciscan priest and seems especially equipped to offer a broad analysis of both scripture and Franciscan theology in exploring the place of animals in the Kingdom: "It is difficult for those who take the Incarnation seriously, and who adhere to a profound creation spirituality, to imagine a final paradise without the creatures that God first created, as well."
I was completely taken by the elaborate description of the annual St. Francis day celebration at the Episcopal Cathedral of St. John the Divine, the largest Gothic cathedral in the world located in Upper Manhattan, NYC. Imagine the "standing-room-only crowd of 3,500 men, women and children - with dogs, cats, gerbils, turtles, parrots, and other pets at their sides - (as they) worshipped and praised their loving Creator with song and dance and colonial banners."
Or St. Boniface Church in San Francisco where Franciscan friar Father Floyd Lotito for over 15 years has opened his church to the blessing of animals on the feast of St. Francis. At one point during this ceremony, the friar invites the people to bring their pets forward to be blessed individually. I love it!
What will heaven be like? I hesitate to even imagine. But this book has invited me to imagine the special place that God's creatures will have in heaven. And I daresay that this chorus may include my beloved pets - Muffy, Carrots, Brodie, Delilah, and Roo. I'm not sure about Kristy's 7 hamsters, but when God created them, he also called them "very good!"
"Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, everything in the universe cry out: 'To the one who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor, glory and might, forever and ever'" (Revelation 5: 13).
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews