The intuitive sensing of a mental bond between ourselves and animals, especially those that live very close to us, our companion animals, has been there since early history. Some ancient Israelite views testify to an irresistible anthropomorphising of their domestic animals (Jn 3:5–9) as well as an acknowledgement of the socio-psychological support provided by them (2 Sm 12:1c–4d). Is there indeed a mental overlap between humans and animals to explain this intuitive experiencing of a bond between ourselves and them since ancient times? Modern neuroscience, through neuro-imaging, has shown that dogs (at least) are able to reciprocate our thoughts and feelings, be it in a limited way. They seem to have some limited form of a ‘theory of mind' previously ascribed to humans only. This explains why they have been humans' ‘best friend' for the past 12?000 years since they were domesticated from wolves. The intuitions of the ancients and the findings of modern science confirm that we and non-human animals all form intrinsically part of the fascinating web of life. This fact should sensitise us as moral agents to preserve this life.
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机译：自早期以来，人们就一直直观地感觉到我们与动物之间的精神纽带，尤其是那些与我们非常接近的动物（我们的伴侣动物）之间的精神纽带。一些古老的以色列人观点证明了他们的家畜不可抗拒的拟人化（约翰福音3：5–9）以及他们提供的社会心理支持（2 Sm 12：1c-4d）。人与动物之间确实存在精神上的重叠，以解释这种自古以来人类与动物之间纽带的直观体验吗？通过神经影像学，现代神经科学表明，狗（至少）能够以有限的方式来回馈我们的思想和感觉。他们似乎只有以前归因于人类的有限形式的“心理理论”。这解释了为什么自从狼被驯养以来，它们在过去的12,000年来一直是人类的“最好的朋友”。古代人的直觉和现代科学的发现证实，我们和非人类动物本质上构成了迷人的生命网的一部分。这一事实应使我们敏锐地觉察到作为维护这一生命的道德主体。
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