Please Explain Reincarnation More

Dear Laura,
I believe in reincarnation but what about my pets? Do dogs reincarnate as dogs? Or cats as cats? Could my deceased loved ones reincarnate as my next pet or do people always reincarnate as people and dogs as dogs, etc.? If my dog dies, I was told I could ask for him to come back to me again as a new pet. Is this true?
— going around and around

Dear Going Around,

This is a set of philosophical questions, and the answers will vary depending on who you ask and what their belief model is. Different regions of the world vary as well. My experience is that people reincarnate as people and not as animals. I have heard of one exception — dolphins — highly evolved mammals who fall under a different set of energetic theories. For the most part, animals are not here working as closely on soul growth as we are, and therefore they don’t come in with a lot of “stuff” to work out. They are here to help us learn about unconditional love and ourselves, and therefore really are here for us in the truest sense.

Humans reincarnate to keep “working on it.” Animals don’t have anything like that to work on. Therefore, if a beloved pet crosses over, there would be no need for them to come back, other than our own limited or self-oriented desires. Don’t worry though; they do come around often and hang out from the other side and fully expect to greet you in the tunnel and beyond.