The Animals Among Us
How Pets Make Us Human
by John Bradshaw
Perseus Books, Basic Books
Basic Books
Home & Garden
Pub Date 31 Oct 2017
FTC Reviewed ARC for Perseus Books and Net Galley
Description
The bestselling author of Dog Sense and Cat Sense explains why living with animals has always been a fundamental aspect of being human.
Pets have never been more popular. Over half of American households share their home with either a cat or a dog, and many contain both. This is a huge change from only a century ago, when the majority of domestic cats and dogs were working animals, keeping rodents at bay, guarding property, and herding sheep. Nowadays, most are valued solely for the companionship they provide. As mankind becomes progressively more urban and detached from nature, we seem to be clinging to the animals that served us well in the past.
In The Animals Among Us, anthrozoologist John Bradshaw argues that pet-keeping is nothing less than an intrinsic part of human nature. An affinity for animals drove our evolution and now, without animals around us, we risk losing an essential part of ourselves.
Review: The Animals Among Us How Pets Make Us Human
The author, anthrozoologist, John Bradshaw breaks this heavily detailed book down into 11 chapters that focus on the human race's relationship evolving with animals/ pets.
It speaks to our reactions to pets; ancient, modern, and imaginary. It also speaks to some instinctual and genetic characteristics we may exhibit with pets.
In many cases, the book generalizes about dogs. I found the section on the health benefits of dog ownership ascribed to green space keenly interesting. As was the detailing on inbreeding and hybrids as well as the usage of animals in relationship to therapies. This read also provided a multi-cultural section that addresses ancient times as well as using animals as a food source.
This book is a well-rounded read bridging domestic and wild animals and our bond with them.