February 10th, 2012 
LeeAnn One of my dearest friends recently gave me a book called The Souls of Animals, by Gary Kowalski.
My guess is that we all define “soul” a little differently. To me, it is one’s essence; it is what makes someone who he/she is (whether that someone is human or animal). Mr. Kowalski states, in discussing what “soul” means to him, that “[he is] concerned less with raw brain power, memory, and learning ability than [he is] with more subtle facets of intelligence such as empathy, artistry, and imagination.”
I consider myself fortunate that I have never questioned whether animals have souls; I have always known that they do. When I have looked into the eyes of the animals that I have been fortunate to share my life with, I can see their souls. Is it intelligence? Yes, but also a kindness, an understanding, a gentleness, and love.
Within the past year, I have used my strong belief in the souls of animals to help me in a situation that has always caused me great distress. I have an extremely hard time seeing animals dead in the road. I have a tendency to wonder what their last hours were like – if they were in pain, if they were afraid, if their family misses them, etc. Unfortunately, the road that I take to yoga every morning (at 5:30 a.m.) often contains an animal that has been hit and killed the previous night.
One such day, a number of months ago, I arrived at yoga fighting off tears and carrying with me the scene from the road. As we began our practice that day, our yoga instructor asked us to dedicate our practice to someone or something of significance to us. Without a thought, I dedicated my practice to the soul of the deceased cat that I had just seen. It was one of the most amazing practices that I have had to date – one in which I was completely present and on my mat. When I see a struck animal on the way to yoga now, I begin my practice with a dedication to their soul. It brings a genuine feeling of peace to me.
In The Souls of Animals, Mr. Kowalski shows the readers the capacity of animals to show emotion and empathy, reasoning, artistry, spirituality and other emotions or skills that many have assumed are uniquely human qualities. I loved reading every page of this book.
Koko, the gorilla who communicates using sign language, is an incredible example of all of the above qualities and more.
Apparently a number of years ago, Koko was asked what she wanted for her birthday, and she answered, in sign language, that she wanted a kitten. Koko was presented with a litter of rescued kittens, whom she handled very gently. Koko chose a grey kitten and named her “All Ball.” Koko tenderly carried All Ball around and even tried to nurse her as if she were a baby gorilla. When All Ball playfully bit Koko, Koko’s reactions were to sign “dirty” and “toilet”, which were apparently her way to express disapproval.
Koko was always kind and gentle to All Ball and would repeatedly sign to her trainer, “soft/good/cat.”
One evening All Ball got out of the protected area and was killed by a car. Koko was told about the accident and erupted into high-pitched sobs. For some time after the loss, Koko cried whenever cats were mentioned. (As an aside, Koko is now in her forties and has several kittens as companions. You can read about her at Koko’s World.)
Elephants are also very expressive in mourning the death of loved ones. For one of the most moving videos that I have seen on this subject, see my post entitled My Love Affair with Elephants and English Bulldogs.
I have seen my pets mourn when we have lost one of our own. It is very discernible. Are they reading our emotions and reacting to those? I am sure in part that this is true, but their behavior goes further and leaves in me no doubt as to their grief.
Mr. Kowalski introduces us to Siri, the fourteen-year old, 8,400 pound Asian elephant, who was observed drawing lines using sticks and stones in the dust of her cage at the Syracuse Zoo. Her keeper gave her pads of paper and charcoal, and Siri drew pictures. Her drawings were sent to an art history professor at Syracuse University, who analyzed the drawings without knowing who the artist was. He remarked, “[t]hese drawings are very lyrical, very, very beautiful. … They are so positive and affirmative and tense, the energy is so compact and controlled, it’s just incredible.”
While The Souls of Animals is a wonderful reminder of how incredible the animals are with whom we share our planet, there is also a bittersweet note. We do not always treat them properly and we often operate from an assumption of superiority. As entire species near extinction, we must make changes.
On a personal note, I have struggled with how I can help. More and more, I recognize that my passion for animals is one of the strongest forces in my life. While animal rescue organizations have always been my choice for financial contributions, I have hesitated in becoming an active participant. I have hidden behind fears such as “I don’t want to know the cruelty that exists” and “I can’t take them all home.”
The Souls of Animals just may have been the breaking point for me. The day after finishing this book, I stopped by the humane society on the way into work and completed a volunteer application. A small step, but a step….
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Love you, Honey. Mom
Love you too, Mama!
Loved this one. I miss the Humane Society – they are wonderful there! I think this is a great step. Remember, though, that you make a difference in 4 animals’ lives every day.
Mer – you are an inspiration to me in this realm!! I wish you were still here and we could do this together! Love and miss you!
My favorite post. I see Ruthie’s soul every single day. I love chatting with her and seeing how she responds to me. I think it is a beautiful and wonderful thing how you have been able to give so much to animals. I always say that WHEN I win the lottery, my first check will go straight to helping animals. YOU are such an inspiration.
Kel – thank you!! And you do a ton for animals too – with all that you have rescued and given amazing homes too! I need to start buying lottery tickets – did you see someone one from ticket at Village Station?? xoxo
p.s. – I thought of you when I went to the H.S. and looked for “that lady”.
Loved this post. Thanks for the info about the book.
Thank you Christine – I think you will enjoy the book!
Love this post. Have never doubted animals have souls either. I get upset about the animals that are run over as well. It has helped me to say a prayer that they didn’t suffer. You’ll be a great volunteer. It is hard not to take them all home, but it gets easier. Says the failed foster…:)
Shawn – thanks for the encouragement!! I love it that we have similar feelings about animals – and so fun to reconnect after all of these years!! Take care!
Congratulations on taking the step!
My husband and I witnessed a crow being struck by a car. The crow’s companions visibly mourned; it was truly moving, especially as both of us had honestly viewed crows as merely annoying – though very clever – birds. Our view of the species was radically altered by the experience.
Thank you Ilegirl! Gary Kowalski spends a good amount of time in the book on birds – on their protective instincts for each other and also their mating for life. Your experience sounds so moving. We are always learning more about the capacities of other living creatures. Hope you are well!
Hi LeeAnn. Sorry for the delay in responding! Like all your posts, they stay with me for so long and I think about them a lot. I’ve heard of this book but have not read it, and would love to do so. From what you’ve shared, it seems like one I would learn a lot from. I wish I could say that I was wise about animals having souls all my life, but I don’t think I ever thought of it in that way. Somehow with Grace, I knew immediately. She has taught me so much. Since having her, I think of animals in a much deeper way and know that they absolutely have souls. I can’t wait to hear more about your volunteer work. I know they are so lucky to have you become a part of their work. And while it may bring some sorrow, I am betting that it will bring greater joy and also great rewards for the animals you serve.
Hey Robin – you would definitely like the book! Grace has been a true blessing in your life – and you in hers. Thank you for the encouragement on the volunteer work. I have to wait a bit for the next orientation and then I am sure I will blog about my experiences. Have a great week!
Dear LeeAnn,
Thanks for mentioning my book, which I wrote twenty years ago, partly as a result hearing about Koko and her kitten. “The Souls of Animals” was way ahead of the curve back then, but now most of my conclusions have been confirmed by mainstream research. Animals not only have biologies; they also have biographies as sensitive, emotionally intelligent creatures who experience love, loss, grief, compassion and most of the other traits we associate with being human.
Readers who like “The Souls of Animals” may also want to check out some of my more recent works at http://www.kowalskibooks.com.
I’m glad you were motivated to volunteer with your local humane society. I’m sure the animals will return just as much comfort and joy and you share with them!
Blessings,
Reverend Gary Kowalski
Reverend Kowalski – I am honored by your presence on my blog – thank you! As is obvious, I loved your book. I look forward to reading your more recent works.
Best regards,
LeeAnn