Long before the Dog Whisperer, anthropologist Elizabeth Marshall Thomas revealed to readers the nature of pack dynamics, leading to a completely new understanding of dogs and their desires.
In this fascinating account, based on thirty years of living with and observing dogs, we meet Misha, a friend’s husky, whom Thomas followed on his daily rounds of more than 130 square miles, and who ultimately provided the simple and surprising answer to the question What do dogs want most? Not food, not sex, but other dogs. We also meet Maria, who adored Misha, bore his puppies, and clearly mourned when he moved away; the brave pug Bingo and his little wife, Violet; the dingo Viva; and the remaining dogs and pups that constitute the pack.
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"Dogs don't cross streets at intersections. The traffic goes in four directions at an intersection. Dogs cross the street where there is only two directions to have to watch the traffic... Dogs could teach us something about simplifying our lives" — Katherine (4 out of 5 stars)
"Dogs don't cross streets at intersections. The traffic goes in four directions at an intersection. Dogs cross the street where there is only two directions to have to watch the traffic... Dogs could teach us something about simplifying our lives"
" I am not a dog-person (not that I don't like them, I just would choose a cat over a dog) but I did enjoy the little perceived knowledge that the author shared. The real kicker, for me, is that the illustrator was my sister's old roommate. My personal beef is that I am a shelter-animal advocate and didn't like how many litters the author's many dogs kept having: neuter or spay please! Also, it is laughable that she thinks she is not being anthropomorphic. "
" Really enjoyed this, seeing into the lives of these dogs, observed and left pretty much to their own devices. Also had me crying my eyes out. "
" Ok but not spectacular. Interesting if you are interested in dogs. Quick read "
" pretending to be dog, first, then you will understand "
" Really interesting book about animal behavior that is thankfully not steeped in a need for supposedly objective, "scientific" observations. Just an animal lover/professional and her dogs. "
" This book is pretty outdated. The book was written in 1993. The author is well respected and was mentioned in the book I just finished "the moral lives of animals" by the author. However after having three dogs and three cats at one time. And living with people who also had three and three. So 12 animals I feel I'm a pretty good authority on animals. And the comments I would make are 1. No two animals behave the same. They all have their own personalities and with each group behavior would be different. And 2. Animals meld themselves to be like their owners. They follow their example and I think that has a lot to do with their behavior. It was an interesting read although something more current would likely be of more benefit to anyone wanting to read about dogs and their behavior. And as with all dog books I've read I take in what I believe to be pertinent, leave some behind and I have some things to ponder. Isn't that how all books should be enjoyed? "
" Interesting observations though I would disagree with some of the interpretations. "
" Makes me want to have a whole pack versus just one. "
" I loved this book. It gave me such a warm appreciation for dogs and a better understanding of what drives them. "
" Great perspective on dogs and how they behave in groups. I've always had more than a few and a lot of what I read, I've seen for myself. Really enjoyed this book. Can't wait to read her other book about dogs. "
" This lady is rad, and super nerdy. She basically takes her experience studying wolves in the wild to examine her own pack of domesticated canines. A definant read for any wolf lover. "
" I added this book to my list just so I could state, for the record, that I hate this book and the author is the devil. "
" Thomas, an anthropologist, shares fun and insightful observations of our companion animals. I've enjoyed reading this out loud with my family, and taking it slowly, a chapter at a time, with long gaps (my style, I'm afraid.) "
" Author is nuts and irresponsible. Very annoying book "
" If you are looking to further your knowledge about animal behaviour this book has some interesting insights. aHelped me understand my small dog's behaviour better. "
" I was appalled by this dog owner's irresponsible behavior to let her intact dogs roam around the neighborhood. "
" really interesting, but I wonder what Caesar Millan would say about the author's techniques. ;) "
" This was an interesting read and a quite insightful look into how dogs act with each other and with very little human interaction. However, it's not very applicable to the average dog and its owner. "
" Interesting book, but I question her methods. And I no longer own a copy because my dog chewed it up one day when I was at work. I think he was trying to tell me something about his hidden life. "
" My Secondary One form teacher lent this to me after I had passed her a copy of The Beautiful and Damned. A must read for all dog lovers out there. "
" My co-worker thought I would like this book, but it was a waste of time. The author is so self-congratulatory that it's annoying. "
" Dogs are much more comples than I have been led to believe. Now that I have one that I am personally responsible for , I am looking for these traits more closely. Interesting book. "
" Good look into dogs' social lives and politics--especially for those who don't think dogs have any: I told you so!--even if I think the author was irresponsible in leaving all these dogs unaltered and wandering loose. "
" It was less interesting than I thought it would be. There was a lot about birthing and pregnancy, which isn't really my thing. I was hoping it would be more about behavior. "
" I am afraid that this "classic" dog book really irritated me. All I could feel was horror that she allowed her dogs to wander on city streets, risking (& incurring) injuries. I did not feel that this was done correctly. Just my opnion, of course, one which no one else agrees with! "
" A pretty enlightening, if not altogether scientific look at the way dogs communicate, both with each other and with humans. Although it relies heavily on the author's speculations and theories, it still is a fairly engaging read. "
" Interesting perspective, a bit dry to read. I appreciate her dedication to observation and the time she took to document. "
" Great read for dog lovers. Easy reading and interesting insight into a few dogs lives. "
" Very interesting (provided that it is true, I have no reason to doubt that it is). "
" thought it would be better.. more about how dogs relate to other dogs. liked her afterward the best because it talked about how dogs relate to people "
" The Hidden Life Of Dogs by Elizabeth Marshall Thomas (1996) "
Elizabeth Marshall Thomas is the author of several books, nonfiction and fiction—among them The Hidden Life of Dogs, The Harmless People, and Reindeer Moon. She has written for The New Yorker, National Geographic, and The Atlantic, and lives in New Hampshire.
Swoosie Kurtz, a multiple Tony, Emmy, Obie, and Drama Desk Award winner, is a Broadway icon whose work also includes big screen blockbusters like Liar, Liar and Dangerous Liaisons, indie favorites like Citizen Ruth, True Stories, and Cruel Intentions and beloved television hits Sisters and Pushing Daisies. She is currently starring in the CBS hit series Mike & Molly. Her distinctive name comes from The Swoose, the famed B-17 bomber flown by her father, Col. Frank Kurtz, the most decorated Air Force pilot of World War II.
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