Animal Book Club August 2019

"A remarkable chronicle of the domestic dog’s journey across thousands of years and straight into our hearts, written with equal parts tenderness and scientific rigor." (Brain Pickings)

Animal Book Club August 2019: What's a Dog For by John Homans


By Zazie Todd, PhD

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After a month's break, the Companion Animal Psychology Book Club resumes in August with What's a Dog For?: The Surprising History, Science, Philosophy, and Politics of Man’s Best Friend by John Homans.

"As dogs take their place as coddled family members and their numbers balloon to over 77 million in the United States alone, it’s no surprise that canine culture is undergoing a massive transformation. Now subject to many of the same questions of rights and ethics as people, the politics of dogs are more tumultuous and public than ever—with fierce moral battles raging over kill shelters, puppy mills, and breed standards. Incorporating interviews and research from scientists, activists, breeders, and trainers, What’s a Dog For? investigates how dogs have reached this exalted status, and why they hold such fascination for us humans."

The book club discussions take place in a group on Facebook, but you are also welcome to leave your comments here to let me know your thoughts on the book. Click the link above to learn more about the book club and the other books we've read.

For those who prefer  more general chit chat about animal books without the obligation to discuss a book most months, there is the Animal Books group on Facebook.

You can find all of the books read by the book club, and many more good reads, in my Amazon store: https://www.amazon.com/shop/animalbookclub.

Zazie Todd, PhD, is the award-winning author of Wag: The Science of Making Your Dog Happy and Purr: The Science of Making Your Cat Happy. She is the creator of the popular blog, Companion Animal Psychology, writes The Pawsitive Post premium newsletter, and also has a column at Psychology Today. Todd lives in Maple Ridge, BC, with her husband, one dog, and two cats. 

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