When any person, including (scribes) speak in "Parables," it is because they have "no idea of what they are talking about, and that is their way of not allowing you to realize it!" When people have "nothing to hide" and do "Believe in what they are saying," they speak as "CLEARLY" as possible, for they are "Confident" in what they are saying, and want "no one" to misunderstand them!
Yes, "Animals Do Have A Soul! Every living being has a "Soul! Don't let the "Self Serving and Speciest" Organized Religions tell you otherwise! It is "Because of their "SPECIEST" rhetoric, that animals are so abused, in laboratories, on factory farms, in puppy (and kitten) mills, and unfortunately the list goes on! All living beings have the "Inherent Birthright" to "The Pursuit Of Life, Liberty, and Happiness!