The Soul of All Living Creatures: What Animals Can Teach Us About Being Human

by Vint Virga

As profiled in the New York Times Magazine…

Based on the author’s twenty-five years of experience as a veterinarian and veterinary behaviorist, The Soul of All Living Creatures delves into the inner lives of animals – from whales, wolves, and leopards to mice, dogs, and cats – and explores the relationships we forge with them.
 
As an emergency room clinician four years out of veterinary school, Dr. Vint Virga had a life-changing he witnessed the power of simple human contact and compassion to affect the recovery of a dog struggling to survive after being hit by a car.  Observing firsthand the remarkably strong connection between humans and animals inspired him to explore the world from the viewpoint of animals and taught him to respect the kinship that connects us.

With The Soul of All Living Creatures , Virga draws from his decades in veterinary practice to reveal how, by striving to perceive the world as animals do, we can enrich our own appreciation of life, enhance our character, nurture our relationships, improve our communication with others, reorder our values, and deepen our grasp of spirituality.  Virga discerningly illuminates basic traits shared by both humans and animals and makes animal behavior meaningful, relevant, and easy to understand.  Insightful and eloquent, The Soul of All Living Creatures offers an intimate journey into the lives of our fellow creatures and a thought-provoking promise of what we can learn from spending time with them.

Genres: Nonfiction, Animals, Science, Spirituality, Psychology, Nature, Dogs

240 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2013

Reviews

[Susan (aka Just My Op) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazingly enough, this book did not make me cry. I expected heartbreaking stories, which I don't enjoy but which seem to come with the territory when reading about animals. There were stories, and there were some which are sad, some which really made me feel for the animals involved, but not break into ugly sobs.

Subtitled “What Animals Can Teach Us About Being Human,” this book does that but it also teaches us more about animals, how close they are in emotions to humans, how they react to different situations, how their lives are more complex than the casually observer would ever guess.

One of the passages I could most relate to:

“When I watch others eat, I find it curious how absently most people cut at their steak, tear off a chicken wing, or gnaw at a bone, without a thought about their prey, the abattoir, the life that passed. I don't believe it's done with intention. It's just that meat is removed from its source – a fragment of another being.”

Don't let me lead you into thinking this is a book about vegetarianism. It is not. But there are so many observations that I felt when I became a vegetarian that I could really connect to the book and the author.

The author is a consultant to zoos, and this leads to a quandary. Do we really have the right to keeps animals in cages, no matter how glorified, in order to protect the species as a whole? The author seems to think so. I'm not so convinced. One of the saddest stories in the book, the one that almost made me cry, was about a snow leopard so out of her element that her spirit had left her body. No one, animal or human, should have to live like that. And then there was the lonely whale.

The allegories in the book were not as appealing to me. While they did help the author make his point, for me, they didn't add to the book.

This book is about animal behavior but also about humans, about mindfulness, and is a self-help book if one cares to use it as such.

Good reading.

I was given an uncorrected proof for review. The quote above may have changed in the published edition.

[Kevin McAllister · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was a bit too sappy and new agey for we. Like the author I hate using the pronoun it when discussing animals, but unlike the author I feel the terms boys and girls goes too far. Male and female, he and she will suffice. Boys and girls is taking it to far. And if you want to use parables and metaphors to illustrate your points, you don't need to give your readers a step by step explanation of them ; we get it .

[Mindy Miller · Rating 1 out of 5]

The author had nothing groundbreaking to offer. He simply gushed dramatically about how godly animals are, with some random stories thrown in that really didn't illustrate his sometimes odd theories. And I already know some people prefer animals over humans and feel extremely comfortable with them. (I'm one of them!) But did we have to write a whole book to share that?

Really over the top. I love animals, but this was too much.

[Helaine · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was disappointed in this book as I thought it would go into more depth about specific animal behaviors. Instead, the author's approach is to give an example of some animal behavior problem and then turn it into a lesson for human living, eg, tolerance. I found the book to be too preachy without the scientific underpinning I was looking for.

[Ang · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interspersed with some really fascinating stories about animals is some very new agey mumbo jumbo. Which is too bad, because the second half of every chapter was essentially unreadable. Oh, there's also a weirdly high number of old folktales in this book. That illustrate something about animals and humans. Except, man, I'd rather just read about animals and humans interacting and whatnot. (Also, sometimes Virga tells a story about an animal with a weird behavioral issue AND NEVER TELLS US THE OUTCOME of that particular situation. Nothing is more infuriating.)

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book because of the absolutely marvelous New York Times article, Zoo Animals and their Discontents, http://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/06/mag....* I’ve come to love the zoo down the street as an adult and remain mortified by the zoos of my youth; concrete boxes with unhappy animals. Dr. Virga seems to be part of why zoos today now are so much better. He and those like him brought in positive (rather than negative) feedback and the idea that animals, too, grieve and get anxious and bored.

There are pieces of a very good book here. When he was a vet student, students still did operations on living, healthy dogs slated for euthanasia because no human wanted them. His description of spending some time with the dog he would later kill made me cry. It’s making me cry right now as a write this. It’s good prose:

At lunchtime while most of our classmates were eating and reviewing their surgery notes one last time, a few of us quietly slipped away to the kennel where the dogs stayed until lab began. Without many words but a look in our eyes that clearly expressed why we each were there, we opened the door and walked into the kennel to meet the dogs we would be working with soon – to take them for a walk; play with them on the lawn; let them sniff at a lamppost, the bushes, the trees; sit with them on the grass and do nothing together; pet them and hug them; let them know we cared. At times in that hour, we’d catch a glimpse of each other and I saw in their faces what I’m sure was in mine: a respect for the lives of the dogs we were with.

. . .

I still think of those dogs, though, all these years later – the joy in their faces as we walked into the kennel; the simple abandon in our hour together; that soft, grateful look when their eyes would meet mine. And given what was required of us in that era of training, I could not help but choose to spend that hour with them. (88-89).

What a compassionate, clear-eyed, courageous thing to do. I hope, though I am not confident, that I would have the strength and love to do that too. I’m not sure I would. The day we adopted Aleister (black lab, sitting beside me) there was a chocolate lab at the vet whose heartrending attempt to get my attention still gnaws at me. Well done, doctor.

While there are pieces of a good book, it got a little too woo-woo for me at times. It needed another editing pass; there were some actual typos. The parables largely missed me, though I don’t doubt there is wisdom in them, encountered at the right time. The subtitle (“What Animals Can Teach Us About Being Human) seemed forced. But I really enjoyed his own stories of successes and appreciated his stories of losses; animals helped and animals lost and the world made better by his work.


*Having read Civilization and Its Discontents several times, that’s a hell of a title. Kudos, headline writer. Kudos.

[Ginger · Rating 4 out of 5]

In my library, there’s a small table set up with “librarian’s picks”. Each book has a card beneath printed with the name of the librarian who picked that particular book. Sounds familiar, right? Well, our branch is a bit different. You see, we have a wonderful therapy dog who is owned by one of the librarians and Rooney can be found most days in the office or in the children’s section during story time. However, any patron may ask to see Rooney at any given time and indulge her in belly rubs, hugs, etc. Rooney has earned her spot on the “librarian’s picks” table. Yep, you guessed it...this book was a “Rooney pick”. I was super excited to read this book, especially since it rated a pick by Rooney.

I’m giving this 4 stars because not only did I learn about animals and the different ways they behave like they do, but more importantly, I learned some things about myself. I definitely have a new perspective on some behaviors (human and animal alike) and I’m anxious to go into the new year applying some of what I learned.

[Tim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I lovely read, as Virga shares stories of life as a vet and trying to understand the animals around us. He shares his frustrations, successes and how they have changed him.
Reading this inspired me to watch my dog more closely and be more attentive of his needs.

[Bambi Kline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great insights. Just thought it would be more about how humans interact with animals and the influences on each other.

[Victoria · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book, written by an experienced veterinarian and animal behaviorist, is certainly a fast read (barely over 200 pages long!) and unfortunately does not cover anything earth-shatteringly interesting. Each of the ten chapters uses one particular anecdote from Dr. Virga’s long career to help illustrate the quality (such as integrity) in both animals and humanity. This is an interesting structure, and the book is well-written, but nothing screams fresh to me. Also, despite the dog on the cover, this book contains more stories about cats - both domesticated and in zoos. Many of the chapters also tie in a global feeling with a parable or myth that adds a vein of non-traditional spirituality to the book. It’s an interesting read, but even those international stories are familiar ones (three blind men encounter an elephant, for example). And though I read a lot of books in this sort of sub-genre, I don’t know that it would feel all that fresh to most readers.

The book also presents more issues than provides any solutions. In one of the few dog stories, Dr. Virga discusses his own rescue-dog’s separation anxiety. Though he relays the patience that his family exercises in dealing with it, he doesn’t relay any sort of treatment or tips on helping with the issue. All in all, I finished this book unsatisfied, wanting more information.

[Ashly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this book from the goodreads first-reads giveaway.


I liked this book because there was some stuff I can agree on and agreed on. I even used post-its for the parts i like. Like people talking to there dogs or seeing them as part of the family. Thats how I see my dog, as family. Also I understand about that the one who listens to you best is your animal because thats how I feel sometimes. The stories was okay, it shows owners concern for there animals and that they would do anything for them.

[Regan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I originally read this book when after winning it in a contest and enjoyed it. Rereading it now, after several life changes including the passing of my kitty Mel, who was with me when I wrote the essay that won me the book, promoting at work, new cats coming into my life and retiring it affected me, in a positive way, even more so. Living through these early days of COVID-19 has put much of my life into different perspectives and how animals approach the changes in their lives, is a key part of living through these times.

[Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance · Rating 3 out of 5]

Virga shares little stories and philosophical observations about animals he has encountered from his twenty-five years of work as a veterinarian. Animals, he tells us, are able to see and feel and experience the world in ways that are outside of our human ways of experiencing the world.

A book any animal lover will enjoy.

[Cara Hinton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lovely book with stories of animals this Veterinarian has treated in a variety of unconventional ways. A reminder that all animals are important, have feelings, and many have similar issues as humans. And also reminds us how important the connection between animals and humans is in our lives.

[Ric Dragon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really interesting book on many levels - divided into various themes in which the author received lessons from animals.

[John McDaid · Rating 5 out of 5]

The subtitle of this book -- "What animals can teach us about being human" -- says it all. In this slim (216pp) volume, behavioral veterinarian Vint Virga weaves together science, close observation, insights from various wisdom traditions, and a heaping dollop of compassion to create an engaging and penetrating look at how animals -- and humans -- think and feel.

Are dogs mindful? Can clouded leopards display integrity? Do house cats show forgiveness? These questions and others occupy the ten chapters, as Virga combines case studies from his practice (both with pets and in his work at zoos) with meditations on what these qualities mean for all animals, humans included.

Importantly, this is not a series of wooly-headed speculations on animals' inner life, but rather, speculation informed by rigorous research, brain imaging science, and tested intervention strategies. Virga does take as a given that the critters he studies possess intention and cognitive representations of the world, but in ways that align with current scientific understanding.

And whether he's drawing on fMRI research or Zen parables, Virga displays a clear command of the material and a lucid, engaging writing style that makes this an accessible, enjoyable read for anyone interested in understanding what their pets may be thinking.

Full disclosure: I recently met Virga at a conference and chatted with him for a few minutes, but I neither received, nor expect to receive anything of value for this review. He just seemed like the kind of person who would write an interesting book.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love animals read this book. Dr. Vint Virga appreciates living creatures as having a spirit which defines their essence. They feel stress, peace or contentment much as we do but they are often used for our whims, food, entertainment or sport. Bonds exist between many species which we've chosen to ignore or push away under the guise of anthropomorphism, being rationale and not honoring life different than human life.

He illustrates many examples of animals living in a different realm with a consciousness of their needs and preferences. Dr Virga DVM., points to anxious, stressed behaviors of zoo- kept animals particularly in zoos who do not model conservation captivity. He could tell something was absent from the animal by a vacant stare, hiding from crowds pressed up against glass, pulling fur from their tail due to stress and slowly going mad in close confinement.

I related to his passionate appreciation and empathy for animals, all creatures especially after the loss of my dog. As Vint points out, I learned from my noble dog and that continues now from observing birds, animals living with uncertainty, waking up to a frozen world, losing habitat and hiding from predators, ultimately moving on with acceptance. Our beloved animals we share the earth with keep on keeping on and they are never afraid of their last walk into the woods for eternity. Thanks to the animals, we learn to accept our mortality, our fears , weaknesses and empty soul areas in our lives that need to be filled. Thoughtful and sensitive writing.

[Marie Belcredi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book dealt with animals - wild ones, pets and those in zoos and what they can teach us. The chapters are titled "mindfulness","forgiveness" and other traits that we can learn from animals. The author is a vet who has gone into animal psychology after having seen a well loved dog recover against odds seemingly because of the attention and love of humans.
I enjoyed this book although sometimes it seemed to get a bit lost on parables. I have learnt something from this book and will attend to all my pets with better understanding especially my cats.
I found the hardest part to read was about zoo animals. Great big wild cats like ocelots are kept in small enclosures, their wild urges constrained so that they have lost their spirit. Sad!

[Kelley · Rating 1 out of 5]

Alright, I love dogs, I get the deeper things that can go on with a dog. But the narrator ruined this book for me, I mean, talk about nap-inducing. And the author saw everything being a neurotic tendency. Our Lab suffers terrible allergies, but does he? Is he just so unhappy that he only gets to go to class once a week and compete a few times a year, but have owners that work from home and take care of his every need? Should I take him to a shrink? I found this incredibly boring and not worth it and how did I finish this?!
To the narrator, this book being read in a dramatic fashion was obnoxious, like every sentence was not the twist in a murder plot. But kudos to you both for making me feel such emotion over this book, albeit not good emotions.

[Leila Kern · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book. I often watch my cats because they interest me in their thought process! I certainly think that people can learn from animals in their daily living. Animals live in the present; people tend to obsess about everything! I will certainly try to live more like an animal in my day to day life! Wonderful book for people to read especially when dealing with living each day!

[Helen Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This fascinating book certainly delivers the promise of it's subtitle: What Animals Can Teach Us About Being Human. The author's long career as a veterinarian and animal behavior specialist - in private practice and experience with zoos and other organizations - are reflected in his love and respect for all life. He reveals how, by striving to perceive the world as animals do, we can enrich our own appreciation of life, and deepen our grasp of spirituality.

[Sarah Ewald · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoughtful book about animals and how much we, as humans, share the same foibles. Dr. Virga, has worked in zoos, and also in small animal practice, and gives thought to how much animals can have the same anxieties, and fears, as we experience. I saw behaviors that I experienced with one or more of my cats. Enlightening.

[Darci · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this one. It is a mix of life experience with the emotional life of animals and wisdom from parables. It brought to mind many things I "knew" but don't "do" enough. The stories were told with compassion and the resulting moral of the story tied things together at the end of each chapter. Well worth the listen - or read.

[Avigayil Levy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book captures Dr. Virga’s personal experiences working with animals, both domesticated and in captivity housed at a zoo he frequents. His stories about personal experiences working with different animals, how interactions brought him to a diagnosis, and his caring approach to understanding how an animal interacts with its environment is truly eye opening.

[Alex Murray · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a decent book. I’m also a veterinarian, so I relate to so many of the stories in this book. I wanted to do behavioral medicine, once upon a time, and very much commend the author for what he does. I did find the ending of most chapters to be formatted a lot like an essay for English class. But, I overall enjoyed this book.

[Steve Granger · Rating 3 out of 5]

The description of this book does a good job of providing you with a sense of what to expect. A reflection on decades of veterinary experience, filled with lessons about the ways that animals, or living creatures more broadly, can teach us about ourselves. Highly suggested for the animal lovers.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Not a long read, but deeply impactful.

Animals can have the same physical ailments that humans have and this book deals with with their emotional ailments which can also be the same as humans.

Antidotes explain each psychological ‘condition’ for both a zoo animal as well as a domesticated animal.

The one ‘take-away’ from this book, is that animals of all kinds, live in the ‘moment’, the here and now. Behaviorists believe that they remember the past, but do not let it define them, unlike their human counterparts. I think we can all take a valuable lesson from them.

[David Gee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed both the real animal stories and the parable style stories and thought the "what animals can teach us" messages were well integrated into the narrative and thought-provoking.
A nice bonus was the author's mellow voice on the audiotape.

[Netta De beer · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a animal lover.....this was heartfelt .

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I rarely ever write reviews, so please excuse my novice writing... I thought that this book was incredibly beautiful and thoughtful, and it is inspiring to me as an aspiring vet to see that there are many who respect our spiritual and emotional connection to animals; a connection that, I think, greatly informs our purpose as healers. Being animals ourselves but also being further classified as "human", we somehow manage to lose our connection to other species and drift away from that sense of Oneness and unity. It is easy to perceive ourselves as being separate from everything else, and sometimes it takes a moment of meditation and observing animals living in the present to remind ourselves of our true essence and our nature. The author's compassion and insightful perceptions, described through combining personal anecdotes and some more well-known tales, shine through and awaken that spark of passion that arises within when we feel connected to the world beyond ourselves. Isolation can be a painful thing and can make us delusional, even. But reminding ourselves of the importance of togetherness, compassion, and forgiveness, among other points he touches on in this book, is essential to broadening our understanding and becoming better as people. We have an infinite amount to learn from our fellow animals / other species, and the author describes that desire to truly understand on a deeper level -- something deeper than just medicine and biology, which are necessary but also not quite enough: it is important to remember respect and kindness, and to remember that we are much more alike than we think. I believe we all have souls, and I think that the reason we become vets is not necessarily because of our desire to pursue medicine and our curiosity alone, but because we -- as the author describes -- are so drawn to animals with our love and admiration because they remind us of our souls and they teach us valuable lessons, and because they are, in a way, so pure, wise, and present. It is because we have such a strong urge to care for them, nurture them, and be close to them. They often teach us more about "human" traits than our fellow humans do -- traits that we have ascribed to being human but that exist in the animal realm as well, such as compassion and foresight. I love this book for many reasons, and I think that anyone who has interacted with animals on some level will appreciate the author's insight and commentary on our deeply rooted connection to animals, and our mutual capacity for love and respect.