
We have probably all seen this list of things we can learn from dogs including:
- Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joy ride.
- Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.
- When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
- When you’re happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
- Delight in the simple joys of a long walk.
Cutesy it may be, but book publishers are also seeing a market in anything to do with human/animal relationships. In the last couple of years we have purchased at least 35 – 40 books on this topic or the Library. Dogs seem to feature mostly, and are seen as the loyal emotional bearers of happiness and self-awareness that most of these books celebrate.

People who do not have pets will probably find all of this completely barmy, so I have included a few titles that will either change your mind, or just confirm your belief in the craziness of devoted pet owners, (of which I confess am one).
- The dog who couldn’t stop loving : how dogs have captured our hearts for thousands of years by Jeffrey Masson
- Making the rounds with Oscar by David Dosa
- Some we love, some we hate, some we eat : why it’s so hard to think straight about animals by Hal Herzog
- Forever Norton : the perfect cat, his flawed human and life’s greatest lesson by Peter Gethers
- Follow my lead : what training my dogs taught me about life, love, and happiness by Carol Quinn
Yes, the wisdom of rats! Pet rats are intelligent, friendly and inquisitive but much maligned. I think we can expect a human-rat tear-jerker to hit the bestseller lists at some stage.
I’m struggling to think what I’ve learned from my guinea-pig but we are both on a “journey” and both like carrots.
The notion that there is something we could learn from cats is inappropriate. Our purpose is to serve them not to learn from them.
annonymousse – that’s a good name! And yes, cats expect only the best, dogs are much more accomodating.
As for Rats – well the least said about them the better!
”annonymousse” You must not have a Pet? Or are you just a bit plain?
I live with two cats and serve and obey them regularly.
http://www.nakeddog.co.nz/stephen.htm
Stephen Jenkinson is speaking at the South Library on September 26, 2011
from 7.00pm to 8pm. The topic is “A City Good for Dogs is Great for Humans”. check out his website.