Questions About The Hidden Life of Dogs

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Should this Thoms woman be permitted to 'own' dogs in the future? Should she be reported to the SPCA and banned from having dogs in her care?

Max Late to the discussion of the book, I note with amusement the outrage by some about how the author ignored what proper Bostonians would consider prope…moreLate to the discussion of the book, I note with amusement the outrage by some about how the author ignored what proper Bostonians would consider proper use and,display of their pets, as Thorstein Veblen termed "conspicuous consumption."

I once "raised" Newfoundland dogs when they were relatively unknown. I became disgusted by rich people who wanted their males to mate with my bitch (did you react?) because Seraphina had perfect rear hips -- confirmed by X-rays evaluated by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA), an organization created to weed out the freakish large dogs who would die early because of breeding for size only.

After years of breeding for larger size and shorter muzzles (note Thomases' description of breeding Pugs for Gawd's sake) Newfoundlands (and many large breeds) were indeed big and their rear legs suffered from dysphasia.

Now as to behavior, I agree with the author about training. The less the better. I've had many dogs over the decades since Serphina. Well-behaved dogs are reflections of power trippers.

I am delighted to read a sane writer who, in the spirit of Konrad Lorenz, recognizes the ability of smart and compassionate dogs to adapt to Boston or anywhere else. Oh, and my Newfoundland, Esme, does not crap on your yard.
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