A fascinating exhibit of extraordinary artifacts of mummified animals, “Soulful Creatures: Animal Mummies in Ancient Egypt” is on display at the Bowers Museum, located in Santa Ana, California.

Many species are on display including the beloved dog. Ancient Egyptians, including Kings so adored their dogs that many of were laid to rest eternally with them.

Dogs played a role in Egyptians’ natural and supernatural worlds. Ancient Egyptian dogs were trusted to use their souls to carry sacred messages to the god Anubis. Indeed, considered by Egyptians to be a job of great importance as the god Anubis was associated with the protection of the dead for their journey into the afterlife, performing the measurement that determined the worthiness of the deceased to enter the realm of the dead.

The exhibit includes more than 100 items such as drawings and sculptures and the mummified remains of dogs and other animals. Some of the mummified dog remains are placed in sarcophaguses carved to resemble how the dog looked in life.

The Bowers exhibit is further evidence of our eternal and everlasting bond through the ages between man and dog.