Few of us meet our dogs at Day One. The dog who will, eventually, become an integral part of our family, our constant companion and best friend, is born without us into a family of her own. A puppy's critical early development into the dog we come to know is usually missed entirely. Dog researcher Alexandra Horowitz aimed to change that with her family's new pup, Quiddity (Quid). In this scientific memoir she charts Quid's growth from wee grub to boisterous sprite, from her birth to her first birthday.
[Horowitz] has created a heartwarming and personal story about dogs that seamlessly incorporates captivating science about our beloved canine companions ... Horowitz writes with a gentle humor that any pet owner will appreciate ... The book is more than an entertaining personal narrative, however. Along the way, Horowitz draws on her extensive knowledge to offer insights into canine behavior ... It’s a given that for dog lovers, The Year of the Puppy is a must-read. But even cat lovers will find much to enjoy in this endearing scientific memoir.
There are quite a few weird, fun, early-weeks-of-puppy-life facts that might interest brains of whatever size ... The most compelling puppy research in the book comes from work done by the United States military, in what is typically known as the Super Dog program.
Horowitz's writing is as simultaneously buoyant and precise as Quid's zest for catching tennis balls — over, and over, and over again. Her chapters, packed with close observations about canine cognition and behavior, are mini-mood lifters.
