In Genesis Chapters 1-2 mankind had a physical body, soul life, and spirit life. When one loses life one dies. Adam lost his spirit life when he disobeyed God. He still had soul life which made him a living, moving being that could think and act. But spiritually he was dead and mankind was left without a connection to God.
Animals have soul life just as man does.
But God designed man to have spirit life as well. He made the mind of man to hold and believe His word. He designed man to communicate with Him. Man lost his spirit life, but the system was still designed to have it. God designed mankind cable ready .