Antrozoologia

Having pets is expensive, time-consuming and conditions our day-to-day lives, so why do so many of us decide to put an animal in our lives? Keeping pets today has been justified for many reasons, from the possible therapeutic role they can play, to their irresistible tenderness. But their care and welfare is much more than simply a pastime; it is part of the larger story of humanity's relationship with animals, a relationship that stems from deep within our nature. In this book, the author takes us to the heart of anthrozoology, a new science dedicated to discovering the true origin and depth of the human-animal bond. Tracing our affection for animals from today's pet lovers-a trend that has been booming for decades-to our prehistoric 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 are ultimately derived from our evolutionary journey from hominids to Homo sapiens. Now, as an increasing number of species come under threat, John Bradshaw warns us: if we lose the animals, we risk losing an essential part of ourselves.