Guest Editors' Introduction.

This document is the guest editors' introduction to a special issue of the journal Humanimalia. The introduction discusses the interdisciplinary field of animal studies and its evolution over time. It highlights the importance of the arts and humanities in this field and addresses key concerns such as anthropocentrism, animal advocacy, and the impact of climate change on human-animal relations. The special issue includes academic articles and artistic contributions that explore various aspects of life with and without animals. The contributions cover topics such as empathy, multispecies bonding, soldier-horse relationships, and identity formation. The guest editors express their gratitude to the contributors and the editorial team for their support in bringing this special issue to fruition. [Extracted from the article]