Dogmatic Truths: What Dogs Teach Us About Life
$20.00
The human relationship with dogs is older and more unique than that of humans with any other animal. This book is an exploration of this relationship from the personal perspective of the author, with the added insight of others who lovingly testify to the many ways dogs have enriched their lives. It includes stories of the roles dogs have played in the lives of saints and details the many services they render to human beings in general. Finally, the text explores the virtues, (yes virtues) dogs can teach us which have such immeasurable capacity to enrich our lives.
Spencer Boudreau is a retired professor from the Faculty of Education at McGill University in Montreal. During his time as a member of the Faculty, he held several positions: Director of the Office of Student Teaching, Associate Dean of Students, and for the last five years of his career, he was appointed the ombudsperson for students. He has a doctoral degree in religious studies and has published in the area of religious history and literacy. He is married, has four children, and currently lives on Montreal’s South Shore.
Informations complémentaires
| ISBN | 9781777454500 |
|---|---|
| Auteur, Autrice | Spencer Boudreau |
| Nombre de pages | 178 |
| Date de publication | 2020-12 |
JoeB (client confirmé) –
If you have had a dog, have one now, or think of getting one as a pet or a companion, you’ll want to read this delightful book. It is a love story of sorts, noting the enjoyment, benefits, and – yes – even lessons the author has gained from the successive dog pets in his life (Ch. 1). Several acquaintances recount similar anecdotes from their pets (Ch. 2). Their accounts had me also recall the brief time-span my young family of four boys enjoyed with our Schipperke, Chips.
In additional chapters, the author sketches the influence of dogs in the lives of some of the saints (Ch 3), explores the many benefits dogs provide as companions, therapy, service, and more (Ch 4), and lists character traits – or virtues – dogs model to their human companions (Ch 5).
Throughout, the author sprinkles the narrative with aptly selected, humorous quotes and occasional cartoons about dogs. The concluding discussions go beyond personal stories and anecdotal evidence, relying on numerous studies referenced in end notes and listed in an extensive bibliography of sources.
The book is at once personal and informative, as any love story can be. However, “love is blind” with dogs as it is with human. Although not entirely absent, there is little said regarding a possible down-side or inevitable challenges to the human-dog relationship. The author does reflect on the emotional impact of losing a pet, for instance, or on criticisms leveled at some breeds. But any negative impact is obviously outweighed by an overall positive influence.
Not a how-to book of dog ownership but a this-is-life-with-a-dog book, Dogmatic Truths is an enjoyable read that is bound to refresh fond memories but also to inform why dogs have earned the label of being our “best friend.”