Connections to Canines?

There are a few definitions of an animal spirit. One is the spirit of an animal, as in the animal's soul. Another is when you allow yourself to be possessed by an animal spirit, like a were (think werewolf). Another is the idea that one is or acts like an animal. It can also refer to a mythological creature (there are those that see them as existing is a spirit world) like a unicorn, etc. It could also refer to one's familiar.