One Nation Under Dog—A book review and giveaway

Win a copy of the book

One Nation under Dog by Michael Schaffer chronicles the phenomenon of the pet culture in America today. Once mostly an outdoor working animal, today’s dog has become part of the family and serves as both child and companion to many single people. Because of the love for fur babies, the pet industry has grown to $4.3 billion.

Understand up front that Schaffer is one of us, a goofy dog owner. He is not some sanctimonious prick who is distraught about our spending money on pets when there are starving people. He doesn’t think we’re ridiculous or evil if we choose surgery for our dogs over a big screen TV or a yacht. He is not someone who is seriously disturbed that some people seem to love dogs more than people.

After Schaffer and his wife adopted cuddly rescue Saint Bernard, Murray, they stopped by the pet store to “pick up some food and stuff.” (You probably see where this is going.)

He writes: “It didn’t take long to realize that the line between sober pet owner and spendthrift overindulgence wasn’t as clear as I’d imagined.” (Been there, realized that.)

His investigation into the pet industry took him to many places and interviews with a lot of engaging and knowledgeable people. Along with carefully researched facts, he supplies entertaining anecdotes that shed light on the feelings people have for their dogs.

One Nation under Dog explores pet social networks, dog parks, serious breeders and puppy mills, dog shows, pet sitters and doggie day care, pet entrepreneurs (petrepreneurs), veterinary hospitals, dog training, legal matters, pet food and toys, pet portraits, doggie fashions, pet deaths and bereavement counseling.

How we treat our pets is a definite reflection of our values as a society. 

One Nation under Dog was released today, available at Amazon and your local bookstore.

Win a copy of One Nation under Dog. ($24 value).

To enter, all you need to do is in Comments, tell what your
favorite dog or cat book is. Deadline: April 7.
(U.S. mailing zone only. Sorry, the price of kibbles keeps going up.)

Comments

[Julie]

Julie of the Wolves. Favorite book hand down. (wolves count as dogs, right?)

[Sam]

Old Yeller. HAHAHA

[Lynne]

Well I'll go with the latest dog book I read and that was "Marley and Me." That book made me snort out loud being the owner of a large dog at one time in my life.

Lynne

[threecollie]

A Way of Life....H. Glyn Jones

[rosemary]

Several.....All I Needed to Know I Learned From My Cat........and Life Is Good by Trixie Koontz, dog. Winner or not, this book or any of my catzillion books might help at the moment. Penelope is declining so fast and then there is Fuzz. I have put off a botched root canal/crown fix to keep Penelope and Fuzz going.

[Mary Jo and Hudson]

This is an easy one for us as it is REDEMPTION. Such an amazing, eye opening book about the Human SOciety and the history of the Human Society and how you can successful run a NO KILL SHELTER. Someone very wise recommended it to me.

[mindy]

if it has a dog in it thats my favorite i love them all including the marly and me thanks for the giveaway

[Carol]

I love The Paws of Katrina, about the rescue work that was done after the hurricane. I have to win this book, you have me so intrigued!!

[Romeo's Mum]

All of the Susan Conant books. Combining mystery with dogs is just the perfect mixture for me.

The Secret Life of Dogs, as well as the original Hotel For Dogs and any informational texts are great. Anything I can get my paws on.

[Christina Brunetti]

I just heard about this book on the radio and now I really want to read it. I hope I win.

thanks so much!

[jackie]

It's not a book but a newsletter that comes about every 3 months or so from trixie koontz...when she passed away the newsletters didn't stop..they now come from trixie from the other side..i can't wait to get them...

[Anne Good]

My fave is Go Dog Go by P.D. Eastman.

[jackie]

if you go to deankoontz.com you can sign up for him/ and trixie..i signed you up for emails from trixie..didn't know what else you wanted to do..i recommend everyone to go there ..the trixie updates are terrific..js

[Khyra]

It sounds like an interesting book!

Please don't enter me since I've already won something from woo BUT I'm going to say "Adventures with Ari" by Kathryn Miles ;-)

[Susan]

Everything Here Is Mine by Nicole Hollander.

[beth shepherd]

My favorite would be Old Yeller.
THank you!
tatertot374@sbcglobal.net

[ALLY M]

Marley & Me is my favorite dog book. Thanks for the chance to win.

[cheryl kellery]

I like reading dog training books or breed specialty books on English Springer Spaniels.

[Michele C.]

Thank you for the great giveaway!

I don't have a favorite animal book but, I'd like to!

[Col]

adding this to my "books to read" list.

[Jennifer]

Lad a dog

[Janice Donley]

"Dog On It", a Chet and Bernie Mystery Chet, the dog, is partner to Bernie, a private detective. They work together to solve mysteries. The story is told by Chet and the author has great insight into how dogs see the world. If you haven't read it yet, put it on your "Must Read" list. . It is the first of a series and I am really looking forward to #2. Anxious to read " "One Nation Under God" as we are working on a business plan for my daughter's pet portrait business and it sounds like there might be some good quotes for the marketing section.

[Steve Stull]

The book about Randolph the dog who solves mysteries, cant remember the name.

[K. Cleaver]

I really don't have a favorite pet book.

[Karen Hong]

Mine is Old Yeller.

[Shava Nerad]

The Fur Person by May Sarton

The first pet book, aside from the Jack London books, that told the story of a dog or cat in first person that seemed to be written for adult readers. It's really a lovely interpretation of a proud tom-cat's life and loves.

[Jack Teegarden]

Author - Michael Schaffer was most effectively inviewed by N.P.R.'s Terry Gross recently.

I've been the guardian and breeder of black Labrador Retrievers all my adult life. The interview convinced me any one considering getting a dog would be well advised to read this book first. My current Lab is named Lars.

[Marie]

Winterdance by Gary Paulsen. It is about a beginning musher that decides to train and race in the Iditarod. It has some really great laugh out loud moments and wonderful writting.

I also loved Watchers by Dean Koontz and am a rabid fan of all the Susan Conant books. They are pretty much the only mystery stories I will read.

[Jimmy]

I don't have a favorite, but I've been wanting to read "Rescuing Sprite: A Dog Lover's Story of Joy and Anguish" by Mark Levin.

[Kim V]

I loved The Dogs Who Found Me by Ken Foster.
Thanks for the giveaway!
Kimspam66(at)yahoo(dot)com

[Lindsay]

Gosh. I think my favorite dog book (at least today) is Merle's Door. I like how the author is connected to the outdoors with his dog.

[Renee G]

My favorite is Marley and Me.

rsgrandinetti@yahoo.com

[Deborah]

"The Other End of the Leash" by Patricia McConnell.

[Marie]

I loved Marley and Me!

[Bev]

I missed the deadline, but that's OK. I'm glad you posted this because I heard an interview of the author on NPR and I wanted to order the book from Amazon--your post jogged my memory. It sounds like a really good read!

[Sandra K321]

My favorite dog book is "Marley and Me". We have a big yellow lab that I swear is the reincarnation of Marley (except he's not afraid of thunder.)

[Kelly Ann T.]

I love the book Dog Lost because it is based on a true story.

[Debbie Roberts]

My favorite dog book is White Fang. I read it for the first time in elementary school and still have a copy on my bookshelf! I love the interaction between man and dog, and the hardships they overcame together to form such a special bond.

OOps! I just realized I missed the contest deadline. No matter, I still enjoyed sharing my favorite dog book!

[Miranda Allen]

Marley and me

[how to train my dog]

Shame it's only available in the US!