MY GRATEFUL THANKS, FIRST and foremost, to all those readers who have bought this and my previous books. It is only your support that enables me to keep writing.
I also sincerely appreciate all the wisdom and support of Gail Pope, founder of BrightHaven; Kathleen Prasad, founder of Animal Reiki Source; Carolyn Trethewey, founder of Pause HQ; and Mel Keen, founder of Horse Horizons, each of whose practical experience of mindful encounters with animals is a continuing source of inspiration to many people around the world.
I feel so fortunate to have been contacted by readers with many fascinating stories involving their pets. In particular, my very great thanks to those whose accounts I have shared in this book: Rhea Baldino, Noelene Bolton, Marjolijne de Groot, Rebecca Hartman, Jane Johnson, Salin Joseph, Belinda Joubert, Helen Rose, Judy Sampson-Hobson and Allen Wilson. There were also many other readers who wrote to me, in some cases at great length. I wish I could have shared each one of your often intriguing experiences. Alas, space constraints made this impossible.
Keith Dowman kindly gave me permission to quote his translation of the extraordinarily lucid and beautiful verses by Tilopa on the nature of mind, and I gratefully acknowledge Stephen Batchelor for his wonderful translation of Shantideva’s verses.
During my life I have enjoyed the close companionship of many pets, who I would like to remember here. Their unquestioning acceptance and warm friendship inform my own experience of animal consciousness, and make me all the more passionate about encouraging my fellow humans to shift their perceptions of the many, non-human beings with whom we share our lives.
I have a habit of nicknaming friends and family members. The highest acclaim is to be named after an animal. My darling wife Koala—we met while living in London, I was from Africa and she was from Australia—has always been unreservedly supportive of my writing activities. Once again, this book owes much to her loving encouragement.
I owe the profoundest debt of gratitude to Les Sheehy, Director of the Tibetan Buddhist Society in Perth, who has taught me most of what I know about the Dharma, and who is an embodiment of compassionate wisdom in action. Without the peerless Geshe Acharya Thubten Loden, founder of the Tibetan Buddhist Society, whose books form the basis of our teaching program, I would never have had the confidence to embark on writing about the Dharma.
When this project was still in its early stages, I received warm encouragement from the Venerable Acharya Zasep Tulku Rinpoche, guru, yogi and extraordinary being. Words cannot express my heartfelt appreciation for his support, and for the generous endorsement he has offered this book.