Pets in heaven?

This question is an offshoot of another question on this site regarding pets and heaven. It has always been my understanding that we are not to expect pets to be resurrected in heaven with us, but there appears to be a seemingly widespread belief that this is the case. I own animals and I love them dearly, and while the Bible speaks of animals as part of God's creation over which humans have stewardship, it seems that pet keeping as it is in the modern world isn't specifically discussed. Others who support animal resurrection point to passages in the Bible that speak of animals in heaven, but it seems like a big jump to go from "animals in heaven" to "my specific pet will be resurrected." Can you shed any light on this matter?

I’m afraid the matter will remain in the dark, as I won’t be able to shed any light on it. In the Bible God simply does not address specific questions like this about our life in the new heavens and new earth.

If you hear differing beliefs on the question, that is because people are sharing their opinions on a matter on which Scripture is silent. As a dog lover, I too can have my own thoughts about pets—past and present—and eternity, but they remain only my thoughts because Scripture is silent on the matter. I agree that it is a big jump to go from the possibility of having “animals in heaven” to “my specific pet will be resurrected.”

I know it is not the answer people want to hear, but we will to have to wait to see all the good things that God has prepared for us in eternity. We cannot begin to imagine what God has in store for us. Unlike our lives on earth, our happiness in heaven will not be dependent in any way on things or possessions. God will be our source of perfect joy and contentment, and there will not be sorrow of any kind in our future (Revelation 21:3-4).