I don't think some people realize what they are saying when they ask you, "If you could come back to life as an animal, what would it be?"  I have answered cat, chipmunk, and hummingbird in the past, but with full understanding that this is purely a hypothetical situation.  After further reflection on the question though, I think the next time I'm asked I'll just answer, "Why would I want to come back as an animal?"

I don't believe in reincarnation, and coming back as an animal has become a distasteful thought.  Many people view animals as "free."  My definition of freedom does not describe a living creature, domestic or wild.  Obviously animals can be happy and content with their lives, and have a desire to be one place over another, but these feelings are not in place due to an act of will on their part.  Animals don't travel to other parts of the country because they have family over there they haven't seen for awhile, or because the rock chuck at the travel agency made it look exciting, and the travel with a group plan was just to good to pass up.  Animals travel because of weather and food sources. 

I have heard several humans say they would like to come back as an animal that sleeps a lot.  I really enjoy sleeping, and count napping as one of my hobbies, but if it was my only choice for something to do, I would be labeled as depressed.  Animals nap because they are not searching for food, and they are not searching for food because they are conserving the energy derived from the food they have eaten. 

Eating is another hobby of mine.  If I want something I eat it.  If I dont have it, I can go get it.  If I'm thinking ahead of time I can buy it while I'm shopping for everything else.  As an animal you pretty much eat what you can get.  I know some goats that will pass up quite a few things to eat cultivated flora, but they can't keep it on their barn shelf for future use. 

Animals like to play, but there is only so much romping a mother can take, human or otherwise.  So, here's your choices:  travel because you have to, nap, eat or romp.  No crafts, no organized sports, no shopping, no restaurants on those nights you were late, or don't feel like looking for a home made food source. 

Above all animals don't have a choice to decide for themselves if there really is a God.  They don't get to worship Him in various ways, and they don't need to choose between self and their Lord.  They don't have a personal one on one relationship with the one who laid down His life for humans. 

We were created because God desired a one on one relationship with us, but He didn't do it in a way that we would have no choice in the matter.  He gave us the freedom to choose.  A relationship is not something where one side calls the shots and you instinctively react with the appropriate responses.  All of creation worships the Creator and bring Him glory.  The glory I bring to Him is in my freedom to do so, because I choose to.