The Hidden Life of Dogs

by Elizabeth Marshall Thomas

Book Overview

In this beautiful account, based on thirty years of living with and observing dogs, wolves and dingoes novelist and anthropologist Elizabeth Marshall Thomas brings us a completely new understanding of... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0671517007
• ISBN13: 9780671517007
• Release Date: July 1996
• Publisher: Gallery Books
• Length: 148 Pages
• Weight: 1.20 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 5.0" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

When this book was coming to my Library in 1993, I got my name on the list.

In those days people were not aware of animals having personalities. When I finally got to read the book, I read it so fast to get to the next part. Before I knew it, the book was over and I cried because I had fallen in love with all the dogs. Who know they were so wonderful. It is also available on cassette but read or listen and love these precious animals.

loved it...

beautiful moving dog stories from someone who truly respects dogs as individuals with emotions and feelings as strong as and as advanced as humans. I loved it <3

Great Insight Into Dogs' Lives

I read this book about 10 years ago and loved it! It is not a book about how to raise or care for dogs. It is a rare look into dogs' lives when they are allowed to live naturally. It was not meant to be a "how-to" book, it was meant to be field observations of dogs. I found it to be fascinating and informative as well as touching. If you are looking for a manual on how to care for dogs, this is not the right book for you.

Not a me-me-me book, but a dog-dog-dog book!

I am amazed this book has any bad reviews at all. In reading some, they all had the same idea - I'm master you slave attitudes. The history of the domestic dog is very interesting. They initiated a mutual benefitial live BESIDE relationship. I doubt they foresaw humans enslaving them into an all human "pack". This book is not a recipe for pet ownership (i wish i knew how to underline ownership). It is an attempt to understand what the domestic dog wants from life. All the other human/dog relationship books are extremely self centered, NO OTHER book even questions what the dog wants, only the "owner", and how best to coexist. I would imagine if you lived in an all species family and habitat different from your own, you would feel some dissatisfaction and would "secretly" (because you dont speak alien) seek companionship from your own species. After reading this book I am extremely greatful to my dogs for staying with and loving me - although, they are behind lock door and fence (only per city ordinance!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!). Every Sunday I wake up at 4:30am to walk my dogs off leash when no one is out, just to give a small bit of freedom that I can. If the author reads this I thank you for such an eye opening book, it has changed our way of living between species. And, I have noticed my older dogs have a new sense of freedom (which is hard to give much in stuffy ol' suburbia) and pep!

Looking at dogs as they see themselves

I first read this book probably 10 years ago (1997?) and I found it fascinating. I think humans have a tendency to see other animals as either pets or property, and the author approached her interactions as more of a curious observer. If you read it with an open mind you will probably find this book very worthwhile and interesting. If, on the other hand, you are incensed by the author allowing her dogs to breed and interact as self-directed beings you will most likely find the book too far outside of your narrow worldview, as many 1-star reviewers seem to have done.

Wonderful and exciting book

I now look at my dog differently. I not only see a four leg animal but someone who is part of a society of his own specie and mind. I fell in love with Misha just like Maria did. This book has romance, adventure and tragedy. I recommend this book to anyone who truly loves their dog.