Well, don't know that we should take external 'spirit guides' quite so literally. There's a theory, and it has a bit of a 'right' feel to it, that we're our own spirit guides.
I used to chat online with a very entertaining, self-proclaimed schizophrenic, a few years ago. He announced one day that we are god's brain cells. An amazingly profound thing to say, I thought. And again, it had a 'right' feel to it.
If correct, it portrays a reassuring image of connectedness in all things. You may be the unknowing spirit guide to an African farmer, or budding ballerina.
And I see no reason animals should not be included in all this and people who are no longer alive, or even trees and rocks. Information, knowledge, experience, wisdom, exists in everything, everywhere. We're all part of the big Whole and who's to know we aren't constantly communicating; helping each other?
Those who subscribe to the theory of reincarnation might consider that our spirit guides are our previous selves?
As to concern about their watching us in our private moments, I believe their attitude would be similar to that of parents of small children. Ever watched babies playing in the bathtub or sandpit ? They investigate their own and each other's bodies with innocent enjoyment and curiosity. Parents keep an eye on their safety whilst thinking about and attending to other things, or whilst chatting between themselves. The children's behaviour is regarded as natural by the parents. And children do some inventive things to and with their orifices, such as inserting clothes-pegs and buttons and stones. Adults take it in their stride; are not scandalized or reproving. The task of adults is to ensure the overall wellbeing of children. They understand that bodies are enchanting objects to small children; they understand the tendency to do what feels good. I'm sure spirit guides regard us as we regard children.
