Yes, humans and canines are different species, but current research
provides fascinating, irrefutable evidence that what we share with our
dogs is greater than how we vary. As behaviorist and zoologist Dr.
Patricia McConnell tells us in this remarkable new book about emotions
in dogs and in people, more and more scientists accept the premise that
dogs have rich emotional lives, exhibiting a wide range of feelings
including fear, anger, surprise, sadness, and love.
In For the Love of a Dog, McConnell suggests that one of the reasons we
love dogs so much is that they express emotions in ways similar to
humans. After all, who can communicate joy better than a puppy? But not
all emotional expressions are obvious, and McConnell teaches both
beginning dog owners and experienced dog lovers how to read the more
subtle expressions hidden behind fuzzy faces and floppy ears.
For those of us who deeply cherish our dogs but are sometimes baffled by
their behavior, For the Love of a Dog will come as a revelation-a
treasure trove of useful facts, informed speculation, and intriguing
accounts of man's best friend at his worst and at his very best. Readers
will discover how fear, anger, and happiness underlie the lives of both
people and dogs and, most important, how understanding emotion in both
species can improve the relationship between them. Thus McConnell
introduces us to the possibility of a richer, more rewarding
relationship with our dogs.
While we may never be absolutely certain what our dogs are feeling, with
the help of this riveting book we can understand more than we ever
thought possible. Those who consider their dogs part of the family will
find For the Love of a Dog engaging, enlightening, and utterly
engrossing.
