I heard this a long time ago, but it came up on a social media feed and I still chuckled, so:

Not really related directly to your story except that it involves pets. But this is a true story and one without chuckles.

Years ago, living in a remote area, I could often only get one AM radio station. Their programming was mostly right wing and religious. There was a show on this station every week with a minister who would take questions from callers. I was listening when a young boy called in. He asked this radio minister if his dog would get to go to heaven. The minister said in a very serious voice that he was sorry son, but we people are made in the image of God and only we go to heaven. Animals do not go to heaven.

I suppose that according to this minister's view of Christian doctrine this might have been the 'correct' answer. But I couldn't help thinking what a sanctimonious ass he was. The poor kid was crushed and all for this fool minister's view of a make believe god and a man-created mythology.

Funny...that happened about 40 years ago, but it stuck with me because I couldn't help thinking how sad that must have made this innocent kid feel. Maybe he grew up to get out from under the yoke of magical thinking.