"Their alert ears sensed distant dangers
when ours couldn't hear them.
And their sharp teeth frightened wild beasts
when we were incapable of combating them.
They made us feel safe."
Who doesn't love a good dog book, I ask? Sure to interest kids and adults who share their homes with the dogs who become family, this tribute to the connections between humans and dogs is both historical and informative.
The author explains that the relationships felt today developed over a very long period of time. From the time of the woolly mammoth, people and canines have been hunters. At that time, the two often pursued the same prey. As the dogs learned to closely follow their human counterparts, both became more accepting of each other's space.
The more time spent together, the more aware people became of the dogs' value to their lives. Their strong sense of smell helped guide travelers forward, warned of danger, and offered protection if attacked. A dog's place in the lives of many was accepted and appreciated at every turn. It took time, and a willingness to adapt and learn, before humans and dogs became inseparable.
"And in the deepest part of our being,
we each took something from the other.
Together forever,
dogs and us!
The author follows up with images of 36 dogs, sorted into breeds, with quick descriptions of each. If your family is wondering about adopting a dog, you might find the information you need here. There is sure to be a dog out there for you!
No comments:
Post a Comment