“He’s almost gone anyway,” the owner said, referring to her husband, not the dog. The problem is that the chemotherapy treatments are expensive - and her husband is undergoing cancer therapy at the same time. In “The Gift of Pets” he tells the story of a dog named Susan, who is suffering from cancer, and the owner desperate to save her. In his 25 years of practice, he’s seen innumerable instances of the extreme lengths dog owners will go to help their pets, sometimes at the expense of other humans. Owners, too, reciprocate this special relationship, says Virginian veterinarian Bruce Coston, author of two memoirs his latest “The Gift of Pets,” is out now. The theory is that the right side of the human face better expresses emotion, which might explain why dogs are so often hyper-attuned to non-verbal cues. When looking at a face, both humans and dogs tend to look left at the right side of the face first. Oxytocin - often referred to as a “bonding” or “trust” hormone - is released by mothers during breast feeding and is key to pair-bonding.Īnother study out of the United Kingdom shows that dogs experience the same “left gaze bias” that humans - but no other animals - do.

It’s rooted in biology.Īccording to recent research from a lab in Switzerland, dogs and humans both release the hormone oxytocin while engaging in friendly interaction. An overwhelming majority consider dogs an equal member of the family, a recent Kelton Research survey revealed. In fact, over half of pet owners - of the 36% of US households that have one or more dogs - call themselves “mommy” or “daddy” when referring to Spot. The image perfectly encapsulates the feeling that many owners share: Dogs are not just pets. “People around the world from all walks of life are drawn together by this.”

“I think it captured something special,” Unger said on the phone from his home in Bayfield, Wis. To date, more than 2 million people have seen it and thousands have offered up donations to help with Schoep’s care. This month, a photo of this scene went viral. Today, the dog is fast asleep, utterly content, while resting his head on his owner’s shoulder. Schoep was once an abused and feral stray, terrified of all men, Unger included. Unger carefully lowers Schoep into the water, keeping his body afloat with his outstretched right arm, allowing him a moment to float weightlessly and painlessly in the waves. Reaching the lake, Unger hoists Schoep’s 41-pound frame, which has become slighter in recent years, over his shoulders and walks into the waves.

“Come on, Schoep,” Unger calls, whistling, egging the old dog on. John Unger leads his limping, arthritic 19-year-old shepherd mix toward the waters of Lake Superior. The Underdog Who Conquered a Sport, Saved a Marriage, and Championed Pit Bulls–One Flying Disc at a Time Andrew “Roo” Yori tamed Wallace with flying-disc competitions Wallace helped Roo and his wife stay together.

Wallace by Jim Gorant