Soul Animal: Our Connection to Dogs as Sentient Beings

Brio; photograph c/o Elena Mannes

A fact-oriented sceptic learns to connect with her dog and connect on a soul level in physical life and in spirit

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From the day I brought my puppy Brio home, my life became one of surprises. At first, they were often about frustration and even sadness because I felt I could not communicate or connect with him. I didn’t speak ‘dog’. I was convinced that Brio didn’t even love me. The most profound and miraculous surprises, however, came later.

Ultimately, my relationship with Brio became one of deep connection and great transformation. I learned what great gifts these fellow creatures have to offer us as feeling, sentient beings, as teachers, not