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The Animals Among Us
- How Pets Make Us Human
- Narrated by: Graeme Malcolm
- Length: 11 hrs and 39 mins
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The Animals Among Us
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Publisher's Summary
A leading anthrozoologist and the best-selling author of Dog Sense and Cat Sense explains why we are so drawn to pets.
Historically, we relied on our pets to herd livestock, guard homes, and catch pests. But most of us don't need animals to do these things anymore. Pets have never been less necessary. And yet, pet ownership has never been more common than it is today: half of American households contain a cat, a dog, or both. Why are pets still around?
In The Animals Among Us, John Bradshaw, one of the world's leading authorities on the relationship between humans and animals, argues that pet ownership is actually an intrinsic part of human nature. He explains how our empathy with animals evolved into a desire for pets, why we still welcome them into our families, and why we mourn them so deeply when they die.
Drawing on the latest research in biology and psychology, as well as fields as diverse as robotics and musicology, The Animals Among Us is a surprising and affectionate history of humanity's best friends.
What the critics say
"Bradshaw's...gentle warmth and intelligence make the book enjoyable. A sound introduction to a relatively new area of study, both for those who share their households with animals and those who never would." (Kirkus)
"What good are pets? John Bradshaw's affectionate investigation puts your favorite ideas to the test of science. We might not get the health benefits that were once thought important, but there are plenty of other reasons to love Fido. The Animals Among Us is a fond testament to our companion animals and our extraordinary relationships with them." (Richard Wrangham, author of Catching Fire: How Cooking Made Us Human)