Pets in America: A History

by: Katherine Grier

Published by: Harcourt Books

Reviewed by Steven King, MBA

It’s true that Americans love their pets. Ask anyone at school or work and your will usually get quite a story about the family pet. Katherine Grier’s Pets in America: A History is a wonderful attempt to trace the history of pets in America. It is ironic to see how the social development of Americans so closely parallels the sociological importance of our pets.

This book is absolutely recommended for you or the pet lover in your life. It is filled with little pithy facts about pet ownership down through the ages. For instance, I was pleasantly surprised to read of George Washington’s hounds and the level to which his personal correspondence referenced them.

Pet ownership has existed in some form since the 1500s and continues to grow in popularity. I found it intriguing how much of pet inclusion is tied directly to our sociological evolution. For instance, our incorporation of pets into photographs directly corresponds to American’s desire to share memories with their posterity. The modern purveyor of the digital camera doesn’t even give Fluffy a second thought to being included in a photo spread.

Grier also shares the realities for capitalism which increasing pet ownership brought to America. In some of these sections the minutiae will creep to the surface. You would be ill advised to sit down and read it in a few sittings. I did this and found myself absorbed in the details.

Instead, read this book in small chunks. It is filled with incredible information about pet ownership – and every pet lover will find it a must have for their library.
George Bernard Shaw said it best: “Animals are my friends, and I don’t eat my friends.” I wouldn’t recommend you eat your pets – but I do recommend you read this book.

Armchair Interviews says: This is a yummy book!