The Dog Days of Summer Part 1: A Social History of Dogs

Tonight on The Front Porch, we kick off our "Dog Days of Summer" Series. This month and next, we're exploring the relationship between Man and Dog – and the role pets play in our lives. We'll look at the economics of pet ownership and the psychological bond between dogs and humans. But tonight, we'll begin with a cultural history of canines. All the way from Lassie to Cujo, poochie has taken our society by storm. We'll explore our relationship with dogs and how it's changed over time.

Our guests are:

Jon Katz, author of several books about dogs, including his latest, Dog Days: Dispatches from Bedlam Farm.

Katherine Grier, assistant professor of History at the University of Delaware and author of Pets in America: A History.