The animals among us - John Bradshaw

'A pioneering study ... richly, empathetically and affectionately respectful of the human-animal bond' Sunday Times

Why do humans love animals? The bestselling author of In Defence of Dogs and Cat Sense gives us the answers.

Keeping pets is expensive, time-consuming, and seemingly irrational - so why do so many of us have an animal in our lives?

Modern-day
pet-keeping has been justified for many reasons, from the potential
therapeutic role pets can play, to their appealing 'cuteness'. But
pet-keeping is much more than just a simple pastime. It is part of the
broader history of humanity's relationship with animals - a relationship
that comes from deep within our nature. As John Bradshaw reveals in
this highly original new work, our connection with animals is one of the
very things that makes us human.

In The Animals Among Us,
Bradshaw takes us to the heart of Anthrozoology, a new science dedicated
to discovering the true nature and depth of the human-animal bond.
Following the thread of our affection for animals, from today's pet
lovers all the way back to our ancient ancestors, Bradshaw reveals how
animals have always been an integral part of our lives: indeed, they
have shaped the evolution of our minds and our bodies. The ways in which
we relate to animals today stem ultimately from our evolutionary
journey from hominid to Homo sapiens.

An affinity for animals
drove our evolution as humans. Now, as increasing numbers of species are
under threat, John Bradshaw shows us that pet-keeping can act as a
bridge between the domestic and the wild, even aiding conservation. If
we lose the animals among us, he warns, we risk losing an essential part
of ourselves.