The Animals Among Us: How Pets Make Us Human

A leading anthrozoologist and the bestselling 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,...