Dreamscapes - Animals

Three Wolves, © D. Loren Champlin

It's not surprising that many people dream of animals. Humans have co-existed with animals for millenia, as both predator and prey, so it's only natural that they would make their way into the human dreamscape.

When an animal appears in a dream, its meaning depends on the dreamer and its association with that particular animal. Pet owners often dream of their pets; there might not be much more to such a dream, unless there is some anxiety about the pet's behavior or health.

A wild animal, on the other hand, can symbolize the dreamer's latent emotions that are too powerful to be dealt with by the conscious mind. How the dreamer interacts with the beast can be revealing. Is the dreamer chased by the animal? Some aspect of the dreamer's self is threatening. Or can the dreamer subdue or control the animal? This more positive outcome may indicate a willingness to deal with whatever is rattling around in the unconscious mind.

Not long ago I dreamt I was living in the upstairs flat of a home (there's that house theme again). I had a dog, which I don't in waking life. At first, I was worried that I wasn't taking good care of the dog - when was the last time I fed it? But it seemed perfectly happy.

Then I looked outside, down into the backyard, where I saw a shocking sight: the two dogs that belonged to the downstairs neighbors were lying in the yard, dead, having been severed in two. The neighbors knew about this, but didn't seem especially concerned.

This extraordinary image occupied me for quite a while the next morning. When I considered the idea of a dog representing loyalty ("man's best friend"), it began to make more sense. I had shared some positive information with an individual just the day before, then received an unwarranted and surprisingly negative response. It occurred to me that I might be better off taking that person out of the loop. Whatever hesitation I may have had was dispelled by the dream, which seemed to indicate that my loyalty to that person (and his loyalty to me) had been severed.

I don't want to come across as petty or as someone who demands unquestioning loyalty. Obviously there was some additional history there. Still, why such an extreme image? Dreams often exaggerate to make a point, which, in this case, seemed to be that enough is enough.

The animals that make their way into our dreams are there for our consideration, whether they are playful, baring their teeth or lying dead in the yard. Like the other dream symbols, they can offer both guidance for daily living and the opportunity to delve ever deeper into the pool of the unconscious.