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

As an animal lover, I'd hoped to find some new insights in this book. Not that it wasn't entertaining. It was, but I didn't learn anything I didn't already know. The thesis of this book is that animals and humans are not that different. Yeah, but why is that a surprise? We have feelings. So do animals. They are happy and sad and angry and gentle and pissed off and delighted and loved and lonely and all the other emotions that are part of the "human" condition. They have their own languages, but those languages are easy to learn, if we just listen, pay attention, and take the time to learn. What dog owner doesn't recognize the yips and yaps of a welcome home, when he's been left alone in the house (or outside in the rain) for most of the day? What cat owner doesn't recognize the many different kinds of "meow" in his or her cats. It may not be English, but it's certainly understandable. Who hasn't looked into the eyes of an animal that has been abused and not recognize the betrayal in that animal's eyes, and who can just walk away without trying to do something about it? We're mammals, and no matter whether we walk on four legs or two, we share everything else in common. Yes, read this book! It will touch your heart and soul. Then go spend time with you pets.

By far, this is one of the best books I have ever read. Personally, I have a great love of psychology books and have a master's in counseling. I love my dogs (one of whom recently passed into Heaven) more than anything. This book combined my two great loves perfectly. I know the souls of my own dogs--the great, unconditional love and real purity of soul they have--and how much they have taught me (about being better than human). Dr. Virga put everything together so beautifully for me, relating the character and emotions of his "case" animals to human tholughts and emotions and motives. I want to read this book over and over again and will be giving it as a gift to everyone I think might have an interest in the very deep and moving subject matter. If I could start my life over and re-choose a best career, I would want to be a behavioral veterinarian, as he is. Dr. Virga is a terrific writer, as well--he is sensitive, intelligent, caring--sometimes moving me to laughter, other times to tears. More than these things, though, he is inspiring--inspiring us humans to look more closely, seriously, compassionately, and lovingly at all animals, and inspiring us to indeed be more like them--for our betterment. Although this is not good enough, by far, "Thank You," Dr. Virga, for your wonderful work.

Dr. Virga's book is a nice blend of behavioral medicine, philosophy, history and actual cases that involve several species - not just dogs and cats. However, being a small animal veterinarian with a special interest in feline medicine, I particularly enjoyed his stories about our little and big feline friends. The story that I will not forget is the heartbreaking but amazing account of the elderly couple and their cat with redirected aggression. William and Margaret's relationship with their cat Prudence was a story of how kindness and compassion in midst of Prudence's confusing behavioral changes was the result of a strong connection with this animal that shared their home.If I ruled the world, I would make it a reading requirement of all of my friends and family especially those families that have never had the privilege of sharing their home with a pet. Maybe, I would also make it required reading for kids in high school. The book definitely helps you see what you may not have clearly seen in our relationship with all animals - not just the flurry cute ones. I thoroughly enjoyed this beautifully written book and have brought several copies for friends, including my friends in households without pets.

We all appear to be linked together: dogs, cats, human beings, from the behavioral impressions Dr Virga reflects through his entertaining writing about the animal patients he has seen and the consulation he has provided to zoos and wild life failities. What is really interesting is his recognition that a reason for living drives all forms of life to thrive. Hopelessness and dispair lead to deterioration and one's demise.Especially entertaining are the descriptions Dr. Virga provides of animals in a state of emoitional, maybe mental, distess and how he is successful in guiding them back to their normal selves. One of his patients would go into a rage attacking and destroying wooden objects but never direct this attack behavior toward its masters when they attempted to grab and hug it until it wore itself down. It recognized, even in the spirit of the rage, to direct its acivity toward an inanimate object that it did not love, like it did its master and mistress.This is worth reading--more imortantly, considering in reflection as we all seek a clearer understanding of our and our best friend animal's moods and privatel worldly outlooks.

I like it that he uses personal experiences, I hate it that he starts what looks like a great problem, then leaves the animal with the problem as he goes on to discuss what causes it without any closure on the poor animal. What happened to Dougal? Was there any help for him? I was left hanging and very frustrated that Dougal was even mentioned with him OCD problems. There are a lot of good information in this book, the little snippets of real experience is entertaining, but usually is left unsolved as it only helped to present the problem and a whole discussion of the whys and hows follows the introduction of the animal with a problem. I was hoping for more information on how to help them, not just what is causing their behavior.

This is a very unusual book. The author is a doctor, not of people but of animals, and he doesn't cure their physical problems, but their mental ones. The book provides stories with insights into how similar we are to animals, and also how different, in our feelings, emotions and senses. He was trained, and worked for years as a veterinary surgeon, so his explanations are not in psychological language, they are in ordinary English, and easy to understand. i have loved dogs since I was a kid and cats later, so I found his book very interesting. James Collard

Finished it today, to be honest har ek page par pyar aaya but kal 9th chapter ne rula diya or aaj 10th or last chapter ne bahut zyada bhavuk kar diya- pata nahi kyun ending ho gayi is book ki. Or kasam se Vint Virga bahut ache insan or vet doctor hain: main shukraguzar hun in jaise logon ka jo ye dharti par janm lete hain, mother nature is blessed to have you Sir.

Obviously not written by a "writer", but some beautiful stories and a great read for any animal lover. It is amazing to see these glimpses into Dr. Virga's career, and his experiences with traumatized animals. There is much more going on below the surface than we realize. Many of the stories brought tears to my eyes.

Anyone who thinks animals don't have souls or are just things should read this book. Those of us who know and love animals will love this book.

Excellent read! Beautiful, inspiring stories.