What's a dog for?

the long version

Journalist John Homans explores the dog's complex place in our world and how it came to be. Evolving from wild animals to working animals to nearly human members of our social fabric, dogs are now the subject of scientific studies concerning pet ownership, evolutionary theory, and even cognitive science. They are also subject to many of the same questions of rights and ethics as people, and the politics of dogs are more tumultuous and public than ever--with fierce moral battles raging over kill shelters, puppy mills, and breed standards. From new insights into what makes dogs so appealing to humans to the health benefits associated with owning a dog, Homans investigates why the human-canine relationship has evolved so rapidly--how dogs moved from the doghouse into our families, our homes, and sometimes even our beds in the span of a generation.--From publisher description.