Regrettably, we humans often consider ourselves superior to our brothers and sisters of the animal kingdom, although we share this earth, where we swim together in the water, fly about in the sky and move along on top of the earth or underground. Animals dominate the evening skies as the signs of the zodiac, animate the ancient and mysterious wall paintings in the caves of Lascaux, and appear in myths and fairy tales cross culturally. In shamanic tradition, the shaman becomes a bird who flies about to locate and retrieve an invalid's lost soul. Once she is reunited with her soul, the patient is healed. And finally, today's pet cult indicates that our soul companions are largely from the animal kingdom.
Some people find animals more trustworthy, likable and reliable companions than humans.
Women who have suffered early sexual trauma often are able to relate to animals much more readily than people. Animals provide us with nourishment - from sacrifice to slaughterhouse. We make blankets, coats and jackets out of their fur. Their skin gets tanned and provides hides for anything, from tents to shoes and briefcases. Even their bones and teeth become tools, weapons, buttons, jewelry and once they provided the staying power in corsets.