The dog by the cradle, the serpent beneath : some paradoxes of human-animal relationships /

The dog by the cradle, the serpent beneath : some paradoxes of human-animal relationships /

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Bibliographic Details
Author / Creator:	Ritter, Erika, 1948-
Imprint:	Toronto : Key Porter Books, c2009.
Description:	359 p. ; 24 cm.
Language:	English
Subject:	Human-animal relationships. Animal welfare. Animal welfare. Human-animal relationships.
Format:	Print Book
URL for this record:	http://pi.lib.uchicago.edu/1001/cat/bib/7643028

Hidden Bibliographic Details
ISBN:	9781554700769 1554700760
Notes:	Includes bibliographical references (p. 347-351) and index.
Summary:	"As old as humankind's engagement with animals is the story of a dog left to guard the baby's cradle by a master unaware of the serpent beneath. In this book, Erika Ritter takes a fresh look at that ancient tale, from the perspective of today's animal-obsessed society, and the paradoxes that abound with the animals we love, those we love to eat, and those we love to hate." "For every pet we proclaim as "special," thousands of anonymous animals are fattened scientifically, dispatched efficiently, and packaged unrecognizably for our plates - and our pets'. Our enthusiasm for wildlife is exceeded only by the expansion of our habitat at the expense of theirs." "Yet the story of us and animals is also one of mutual devotion, shared humour, and even awe. From prehistoric worship of the cave bear, to the latest research on the intelligence of crows, Erika Ritter follows this winding path of contradictions."--BOOK JACKET.
Other form:	Online version: Ritter, Erika, 1948- Dog by the cradle, the serpent beneath. Toronto : Key Porter Books, c2009

Table of Contents:

Part One: Killed with kindness: human slaughter
Part Two: My keeper's brother: more than kin, less than kind
Part Three: Guilt-edged security: self-serving stewards
Part Four: Dubious distinctions: a story of voluntary conscription
Part Five: Bound for freedom: the paradox of the leash
Part Six: Gods and monsters: everywhere and nowhere.