Pack of Two: The Intricate Bond Between People and Dogs

by Caroline Knapp

I received this book from a friend of mine for Christmas. As I began reading through it on that morning, I already knew I was going to get a lot out of reading it.

From the first chapter, I related to the author in a way that only a person who truly loves dogs can. While I do not share the same life experiences of the author, I still found her journey mirrored much of my own experiences living with my dog, Risa.

While this book is about how, through her dog, the author learned to find meaning in her life after losing both parents and giving up alcohol; it focuses more on her relationship with the dog, Lucille, than the particular hardships of going sober. The author does delve into the difficulty she had forming relationships with other people and how her dog helped her discover how to survive and relate to others without the use of alcohol. But, for the most part, this book is about her dog.

The author's relationship with Lucille is a very strong one and one I understood completely from the get go. Caroline doesn't simply own a dog. She's not just a dog lover. Her relationship with Lucille is far more intimate. A more honest relationship than what she could ever have with another human being.

This book is full of anecdotal evidence and stories about how the author and others feel about their dogs. However, the tales are also backed up by scientific facts by some of the top minds in their field. A lot of time is spent discussing how we, as humans, can open up and truly be ourselves around dogs. How living with a dog brings out both the best and the worst in us. Why we have this sort of changing relationship with dogs (the way we see and utilize dogs is constantly changing). And, most importantly, the type of relationship a dog allows us to have with them that would be taboo between humans.

If you are the type of person who bonds closely with animals, you will likely learn a lot more about the whys of this type of relationship. You'll also easily relate to how the author feels when she talks to many of her friends regarding her dog--they think she's crazy. If you are one of the people who can't relate to someone being so enamored with their dog, I think this book would give you some insight into why those relationships are so powerful and why so many people have them.

My only complaint with this book is the author's belief in dominance in regards to dog training. This is something I feel is unnecessary when it comes to training our dogs and also tends to lead to conflict between us rather than a tight bond. However, it did not color my opinion of the book and I still really, really enjoyed it.

I give this book 4.5 out of 5 wheeks.