Dog Is Love Quotes

“Dogs have an exaggerated, ebullient, perhaps even excessive capacity to form affectionate relationships with members of other species. This capacity is so great that, if we saw it in one of our own kind, we would consider it quite strange—pathological, even. In my scientific writing, where I am obliged to use technical language, I call this abnormal behavior hypersociability. But as a dog lover who cares deeply about animals and their welfare, I see absolutely no reason we shouldn’t just call it love.”
― Clive D.L. Wynne, Dog Is Love: Why and How Your Dog Loves You

“I was struggling to reconcile my scientific research about canine cognition with a set of ideas about the reasons for dogs’ success in human society, which had become widely accepted by the time Ros, Sam, and I brought Xephos home in 2012. These ideas purportedly explained the underpinnings of relationships like the one we were now embarking on with this furry little member of the family.”
― Clive D.L. Wynne, Dog Is Love: Why and How Your Dog Loves You

“Puppies are born with the genes for love, but it still takes a village to raise a loving dog.”
― Clive D.L. Wynne, Dog Is Love: Why and How Your Dog Loves You

“Experience, in short, is the other factor that shapes dogs’ actions and their minds. This is obvious when you think about it: after all, no puppy or kitten or youngster from any other domesticated species is born tame. Tameness has to be learned by each individual in its own lifetime. The sweetest puppy will grow up to be a wild animal if it is not early in life introduced to people.”
― Clive D.L. Wynne, Dog Is Love: Why and How Your Dog Loves You

“gray wolves are quick. Really quick. If a rabbit pops up in their enclosure, bam—they’ve got it in an instant. They kill like professionals, with calculation and without remorse.”
― Clive D.L. Wynne, Dog Is Love: Why and How Your Dog Loves You

“The rules for engaging with the denizens of Wolf Park are pretty straightforward. You shouldn’t stare directly at a wolf, but neither should you take your eyes off it for a moment. It’s important not to make any sudden moves, but just as important not to stand still with your hands hanging uselessly by your sides. If you are too immobile, the wolves might mistake you for a chew toy,”
― Clive D.L. Wynne, Dog Is Love: Why and How Your Dog Loves You

“The idea that dogs were capable of love—or indeed, any emotion—was, around the time we found Xephos, anathema to canine psychologists like me. Indeed, it was so outside the terms of scientific discussion about dogs that it did not even occur to me to think about it.”
― Clive D.L. Wynne, Dog Is Love: Why and How Your Dog Loves You

“Love was the true essence of that relationship, as it is of nearly every interchange between dog and human. A lot of dog lovers have known all along that researchers were barking up the wrong tree when they insisted that dogs’ specialness lies in their smarts, not their hearts. Science, at last, is catching up.”
― Clive D.L. Wynne, Dog Is Love: Why and How Your Dog Loves You

“Yet I have become convinced that, in this regard at least, a hint of anthropomorphism is permissible, even proper. Acknowledging dogs’ loving nature is the only way to make sense of them. What’s more, ignoring their need for love—yes, as I’ll explain shortly, dogs do need love—is as unethical as denying them a healthy diet and exercise.”
― Clive D.L. Wynne, Dog Is Love: Why and How Your Dog Loves You

“This little dog was yapping up a considerable storm. My immediate unconscious reaction was irritation: an annoying soundtrack had been added to an already gloomy scene. But as I got closer and saw how happy this dog was, an involuntary smile crept across my face. The dog had recognized somebody in the great human crowd. As that person got closer, the dog’s barking morphed from an angry snapping into a sort of happy, almost-howling cry. Her claws skidded over the smooth floor as she struggled to get to her human. When the man was through the ticket barrier, the dog jumped up into his arms and kissed his face. I was only a little way behind and heard the man cooing to the dog to calm her down: “It’s OK, it’s OK—I’m back now.”
― Clive D.L. Wynne, Dog Is Love: Why and How Your Dog Loves You

“There is a movement in our culture today that equates strength, especially but not only manly strength, with exploiting whatever power one has over others - be it physical strength, elite social standing, or financial prowess - at the expense of those who are weaker. This surely is a brutal morality - a "dog eat dog" attitude to life that ill becomes people or their canine friends.
But there is another concept of strength, and that is the power to help the weak - to support those who are less able to fend for themselves. I'm not a religious person but I honor and respect the great spiritual leaders who over the millennia have taught that we find our greatest strength when we aid the weakest among us.”
― Clive D.L. Wynne, Dog Is Love: Why and How Your Dog Loves You