Customer Reviews

Dogs Never Lie About Love - Reflections on the Emotional Lives of Dogs

5 star:		(27)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(10)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

If you are a dog lover, read this book. The book reflects on the fact that dogs truly "live in the moment". They don't worry about yesterday or tomorrow and are so grateful for the smallest things. Which, I believe is the secret to human happiness only we don't seem to GET it. Also, I had never really considered it before, but the inter-species bond we have with our dogs is unique to this planet. Sure, lots of people love their cats or horses, but do either of them go for rides in the car with their owners, go on vacation with the family or dance with joy when the owner comes home from work?

Touching, interesting and helpful, this book is is a treasure of information about dogs. I enjoyed the look inside the behavior of dogs and the humor Masson used to share these insights. I work at a pet rescue and also write columns for pet rescue newsletters. The factual information in this book allowed me to research the reasons for behaviors of dogs and I feel confident that the information in Masson's book is correct.

I also like the warm and fuzzy stories about pets and their owners Masson uses to support or introduce his subjects.

You can't go wrong with this book.

This book is wonderful! I've probably never read a better dog book! Don't believe those who say it is boring or exploiting. It truly tells about dogs' number one emotion; love. When I was through reading this book, and realizing how loyal and loving they are to kind people, I felt the need to treat our intelligent partners even better.

This was a wonderful book. I'm not a non-fiction reader by nature, but I absolutely loved every interesting, loving, thoughtful chapter. I found the many anecdotes so touching, and often found myself envying Masson's freedom to spend so much time with his dogs (and cats) every day. I enjoyed his writing so much that I plan on reading another of his books, "Why Elephants Weep: The Emotional Lives of Animals."

If you love dogs (and/or truly love animals in general), and, like me, berate yourself for sometimes not appreciating our canine friends as much as you should, read this book. I believe people who gave it a bad review are letting their cynicism color their judgement. The fact remains that dogs love us in spite of our flawed human selves, and God bless them for it.

I loved this book, despite the fact that Masson sometimes seems to be projecting his own feelings onto his pets. This is not a scientific examination, but an astute psychologist's ruminations on the bond between human and canine. It should be required reading for all dog OWNERS as well as all dog lovers, as it would help people understand the psychology of dogs better; the neglect and abuse of dogs is far too common.

This is a warm and wonderful look at the emotional life of the greatest animal on earth, dogs. Masson writes lovingly as he explores how dogs communicate, not only with humans, but with one another and with other dogs as well as with other species of animals. A must for all dog (or just animal) lovers!

I really enjoyed reading this wonderfully written book. Many times I have caught myself bursting into laughter and nodding my head fiercely in agreement while reading. Some of his descriptions of dog behavior closely match my own observations and opinions of my dog's behavior. My dog is now 14, and this book brought back many fond memories of my own attempts in the last 14 years at trying to interpret his many bodily and facial expressions and interesting behavior. Mr. Masson has done an excellent job at conveying his own love for dogs by offering his own perspective of dog psychology based on his first-hand experience as a dog owner. This book is not the "text book on dog psychology" which some people may have come to expect. It does not offer scientific analyses with data gathered in labs from formal, structured research, but that's also the beauty of the book. I think this book succeeds at telling a very personal story and providing insights into how a true dog lover WOULD come to interpret and understand their pets expressions and behavior. With Mr. Masson's powerful writing style, vivid images of dogs' expressions literally jumped to my eyes as I read through the book. My heart has melted more than once over the many dog stories told by this book. It is not just a good story book about one man's understanding of dog psychology. It is also a good introductory book for casual dog owners who want to know more about psychoanalysis of dogs. Written not only for those who appreciate dogs, I also believe it has enough power to transform those who are indifferent to dogs into avid dog lovers.