In this revised edition of his celebrated book, Gary Kowalski grapples with the big spiritual questions around our relationship with animals whether they have souls, self-consciousness, awareness of death, a capacity for recognizing beauty and creating art. Ultimately, he asks, what do we lose in a world without animals, and what does that mean for our ongoing relationships with the creatures with whom we share our world?Souls of Animalsaddresses these and a variety of related topics in beautifully written vignettes. Kowalski explores how animals play, their sense of altruism, their selfless ability to love. By "de-sacrilizing" animals, he argues, we make ourselves less human. The book contains thoughtful ideas for rituals and ceremonies, spiritual guidance, and readings and poems to use for solace in case a pet dies. "If we are to keep our family homestead Earth safe for coming generations," writes Kowalski, "we must awaken to a new respect for the family of life.".