Who Are Animals?

When I ask this question, the respondent usually answers with an animal description such as, “fluffy with four legs,” or a list of different kinds of animals such as “dogs, horses, cats.” Although this is WHAT animals are, it is not really WHO they are.

Animals are living, breathing souls; beings that have a conscience and feel pain, sorrow, sadness, neglect, joy, depression, embarrassment, love and much more; beings that rationalize and can think, just like humans.

Of course, we cannot make a dog out of a human, or a cat out of a fish. Members of certain species have specific physical and emotional requirements. We have to allow animals to be who they are and ensure that their physical and emotional needs are met. But we also need to recognize that deep down humans and animals are the same. We are souls in bodies that give us the ability to learn and express ourselves in this lifetime. Therefore, the only difference between humans and animals is our outer appearance!!!

On a daily basis, I see how wonderful and amazing animals are. They have important messages to relay and can play a huge role in our lives as teachers and guides if we choose to be open, listen to what they have to say, and learn from them.

Animals do have different values. They do not care how much money we have, where we live, or what we do for a living. They care about who we are, not what we are. Let’s do the same. Let’s see animals as who they are -- wonderful living souls with feelings and emotions.