Dogs Never Lie About Love : Reflections on the Emotional World of Dogs [Paperback]

Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson (Author)

Book Description

Release date: September 8, 1998

Dogs fill our hearts with love and our minds with wonder, but their emotional lives have remained unexplored since Darwin 125 years ago. Now in Dogs Never Lie About Love, controversial psychoanalyst Jeffrey Masson brilliantly navigates the rich inner landscape of "our best friends."

As he guides readers through the surprising depth of canine emotional complexity, Jeffrey Masson draws from myth and literature, from scientific studies, and from the stories and observations of dog trainers and dog lovers around the world. But the stars of the book are the author's own three dogs whose delightful and mysterious behavior provides the way to exploring a wide range of subjects--from emotions like gratitude, compassion, loneliness, and disappointment to speculating what dogs dream of and how their powerful sense of smell shapes their perception of reality. As he sweeps aside old prejudices on animal behavior, Masson reaches into a rich universe of dog feeling to its essential core, their "master emotion": love.

Like the dogs he loves, Masson's writing will capture the reader with its playful, mysterious, and serious sides. Its surprising insights provide a new dimension of understanding for dog owners everywhere.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson was, oddly enough, pet-free when he decided to write about their key role in his life. Not to worry, though. In a trice he acquired a troika of pups (a purebred and two mongrels) and a couple of kittens. (The pussycats, alas, play only cameo roles.) In Dogs Never Lie About Love, Masson finds plenty of new things to say about canines--not that there hasn't been a plenitude of pupper reportage in the '90s. Or at least he easily articulates what some of us might already think: "Dogs feel more than I do (I am not prepared to speak for other people)," Masson asserts. "They feel more, and they feel more purely and more intensely." Often, however, he seems to be writing less about animals than humans: "In searching for why we are so inhibited compared with dogs, perhaps we can learn to be as direct, as honest, as straightforward, and especially as intense in our feelings as dogs are." But this book is not just a cozy mix of navel gazing (bestial and human) and long, leash-filled walks. Masson offers several proofs that dogs do take the high moral road--one police pooch, for instance, refused to acknowledge his handler's attack command. A good thing, too, since Masson himself would have been the victim! In more ways than one, Dogs Never Lie About Love is a Milk-Bone masterpiece.--Kerry Fried

From Library Journal

Masson, a psychoanalyst and author, swings through a great deal of material and research in this work to discuss his beliefs regarding dog and wolf personalities. At the core of Masson's thesis is a belief about the nature of the dog's ability to love in an almost pure sense of the word and that dogs have uniquely keen feelings of pain, frustration, and happiness. His explanations are worthwhile; ultimately, many of his conclusions seem to be drawn primarily from observations of his personal pets, which, while valid, tends to weaken his credibility somewhat. Since the information doesn't seem terribly well organized and covers so much ground, listeners may have to replay the tapes several times to absorb the abundant ideas and the rich nuances in many of his messages. Still, Masson presents a genuinely useful look into the psychological make up of our "best friends." James Lurie is a fine narrator, and the technical aspects of the tape are satisfactory. Recommended for public and veterinary school libraries.?Carolyn Alexander, Brigadoon Lib., Salinas, Cal.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 274 pages
• Publisher: Broadway; First Edition edition (September 8, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0609802011
• ISBN-13: 978-0609802014
• Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 0.8 x 8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (60 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #77,450 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

51 of 51 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars After reading this book I started treating Daisy much better April 28, 2000

By Rosemary Thornton VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

Daisy is our dog.

I grew up with a wild 65 pound beastie of a dog in the home of my childhood. When we adopted a 10 week old Sheltie (Daisy) I wanted a better experience. I wanted to learn how to really love dogs.

This book [and Daisy] helped me understand the depth and love and compassion within these gentle animals.

A prior reviewer said that Jeffrey Moussaieff simply created his dogs in his own image, but how can a pet live with us for a lifetime without picking up on our emotional vibes?

This book is filled with compelling anecdotes and stories about dogs and the unconditional love that is in their heart and soul.

One story from this book - (from memory) Many decades ago, a man decides he wants to get rid of his dog. He chooses to end the dog's life by drowning it. He rows out into a large river and pushes the dog out of the boat. The dog ducks under the boat and swins up on the other side and tries to crawl back into the boat. The man goes to the other side of the small boat and using the oar, pushes the dog back under the water. Dog again swims to the other side and tries to crawl back in. The man is losing his temper. He stands up and uses the oar to push the dog under and hold him under. In doing so, he loses his balance and falls into the water. The dog saves his life.

I shared this story with children I teach as an example of unconditional love.

I don't know that we humans have really mastered this unconditional love that bears no ill will, but just keeps pouring out love.

The book is full of these stories.

I highly recommend it.

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Dog Lovers Know this True Love July 9, 2002

By rodboomboom HALL OF FAMEVINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

Compassionately and with easy to read style, this author investigates the emotional state of dogs.

From his three to wide survey of literature on the subject, Masson puts forward observation after observation which this reviewer agress with that something very powerful, real and special goes on inside the dogs we come to cherish.

The sensitivity, the loyalty, the heart to give and receive love, its all here in this good read of the topic.

Particularly intriguing is his contention with some major dog training ideas, such as Alpha leader, wolf derivation, etc. He makes good points without being too dogmatic. Also, his analyis of dominance and submission is fascinating.

There is much for the dog enthusiast to relate to and ponder in this. Great read for any dog person.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The most moving dog book I've read September 20, 1999

By A Customer

Format:Hardcover

An early Christian desert monk said, "A dog is better than I am. He loves and does not judge." Masson does a masterful and moving job of fleshing out that statement, while at the same time providing tantalizing glimpses into the differences between dogs and wolves, dogs and cats, and dogs and humans. What is most remarkable is that inter-species communication and even love are possible, and that humans do not have a monopoly on the latter. In fact, as the desert saint said, we may well be behind the dog in our capacity to love and forgive. As one who has owned dogs (and cats) for decades and who is the proud owner of a Saint Bernard now, I deeply appreciate the insight that Masson has given me into the emotional life, indeed the soul, of my companion.