I haven't checked in here for a long time since I supposedly vacated my editorship and have been entirely consumed by baby, daughter and eldercare! But I do so love Lisa Shea and BOL and all of your great people here...so I popped in.
Anyway, it's easy to get confused over semantics, especially in the field of spirituality. One word or term might mean one thing to one group while having an entirely different meaning to another!
Typically, it is thought that we can have animal totems which are spirit guides but they provide guidance through who they are (ie. animal traits, etc.) They symbolize traits that you might need, for example. And yes, they can communicate via spoken language.
Spirit guides in the form of humans are thought to be more evolved. Some have been incarnated as humans before; others have not.
Other spirits who are not assigned to you as a spirit guide can still take interest in you and follow you around, sometimes to protect you. I have. When I was a little girl, there was a old man who became like a benefactor to me. Not really a spirit guide.
These guys you dreamed of seem like dream symbols more than guides. Interesting that there were three of them which, to me, represents the mind-body-spirit that are anxious to help you as you saunter along in the mall of life, shopping for what you will choose to add to your life.
That was a nice dream to have. You'll have a pleasant time as you enjoy creating your life as long as you befriend your own mind-body-spirit connection.
