Genesis 2:19 describes God bringing birds and animals he had already created to Adam. These are called “creatures.” The Hebrew word is “nephesh.” We would translate this “soul.” Emotions, passion, and willful decision-making are all atributes linked to this word.

If you ever wanted to know why humans throughout the ages have worked with certain birds (hawks) and mammals (dogs, horses, oxen, etc.), as well as kept birds and mammals as pets, now you know.  We also have snakes and lizards and fish, but they aren’t “nephesh” biblically, and wouldn’t you know, they don’t fetch too well!