During a radio interview that we did the host asked if listeners were learning spiritual lessons from animals. One young man called in and said that he loved his dog but didn't think she was teaching him anything spiritual. He thought he could only get spiritual insight from the one source of his religious beliefs. How could a dog ever demonstrate a spiritual principle?

Then the host asked the man if he thought he'd learned anything by sharing his home with this animal. The man said he was looking at the dog, resting comfortably on his couch, as she patiently waited for him to take her for a walk. He said as much as this dog loved her walks, no matter how busy he became doing graphics out of his home office, the dog never pestered him. He said that he often wished he could be as patient as she is.

We smiled, listening to this man describe a spiritual quality -- patience -- while denying that an animal had anything of spiritual value to teach him.

Repeatedly, people who are willing to put aside the human ego, tell us how animals show unconditional love, compassion, forgiveness, and joy, not through animal instinct, behavior, or training. In other words, animals demonstrate an expanded consciousness.

Animals have been on this planet long before humans. They have grown spiritually to the point where they now serve as healers, teachers, and angels. Animal and human consciousness have become so entwined that these two kingdoms live in greater harmony with each other than ever.

The spiritual nature of animals has caused phenomenal growth in human-animal, interspecies relationships. This is because humans need more of what animals have in spades -- the ability to love unconditionally.

We believe that often, animals with consciousness that seems freer of mental limitations and emotional baggage are clear, pure conduits for Spirit. Indeed, they are angels -- messengers who let us know that we're loved and miracles are possible. As spiritual beings they demonstrate virtues that humans have often forgotten.

What do you believe about the spiritual nature of animals?