This was actually created at the behest of my anthropology professor. We were supposed to write a paper on symbolism and I discussed how anthropomorphic artwork is a symbol for the integration of animal self and human self.

May seem obvious, but there's more to it than that. The paper gets into some theoretical stuff, so I'll explain it from my personal perspective.

When I draw myself like this, I don't see it as drawing a representation of my "true" self. I am a consciousness, and my animal self is a different segment of consciousness. I don't experience life as an anthropomorphic canine, but as a human, and a canine, and sometimes varying degrees of both. I can't really visualize this creature as the sum of what I am.

Symbols can use visual depictions of something physical to express something internal. So the physical layout of anthro people, the physical blending of muscle, sinew, fur and face, is synonymous with the blending of intuition, instinct, reason, and mind. It's not me or my parts, but the interrelation of those parts. It symbolizes a harmonious whole, which is not necessarily how everyone experiences themselves. So I guess what I'm trying to say is this: there is the Self, and then there are symbols that talk about the self. This is the latter.