Maybe there's room for one more.
The photo of the rescue animal captured your heart. With those soft eyes, little ears, and chubby furry paws, who cares if you add another dog or cat to your family? After all, what's a home without a pet? Our Kindred Creatures, a new book by Bill Wasick and Monica Murphy, reveals how animals have entered our hearts and homes.
Early in American history, animals were often perceived as tools.
Horses were for pulling and carrying. Cattle for meat or leather. Even the creatures we cherish as pets today were kept to hunt mice and moose, which bothered Henry Berg. He had seen too many exhausted horses whipped to death on the streets of New York by irritated humans, and knew the laws were lax or non-existent, so in 1866 he created America's first established an animal protection organization.
But it took time to change my mind. New local laws meant new ways of recognizing animals as living creatures rather than tools. Enforcement of such laws was aided by social pressure against animal abusers, aimed at deterring their acts of violence, and the sentiment spread. In 1872, Congress passed an act to make railroad cars for cattle more humane. Other influential activists joined Berg in working to change the way animals were treated in America, and over time, animal protection societies were founded across the country to protect all living things. In turn, these associations also helped in cleaning the environment. If horses were not abused on the streets, fewer horses would die on sidewalks.
But neither Berg nor his contemporaries stopped at horses, pigs, and cows. Pets enjoyed a new status in the household, and medical schools began reducing the number of live animals used to train new doctors. Attitudes towards animals for entertainment have changed, including the lives of circus elephants and racehorses. And in 1874, Berg recognized a hitherto unmet need. This was at a time when his Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was lobbying for children to be protected as well.
It is a warning about “creatures of our kind.” There's a lot of stuff here that's hard to read, especially details about animals that have been abused, killed, maimed, and died. You'll grimace. You'll want to look away. trust.
But be brave. Then you'll find a jam-packed collection of stories about animals, activities, and fiery attitudes. Authors Bill Wasik and Monica Murphy don't sugarcoat this story, but they speak directly to animal lovers with this book, starting this story early in our nation's history and focusing on a subject within a subject. We are moving towards this goal. Once you reach the last page, the author challenges you to think further. Can we do better?
For most readers, the answer will be found in the bulk of this book. The process from kennel to barn to king size bed is presented with support from other parts of history, making for a great story with some great stories. If you're an animal lover, all you need to know is that Our Kindred Creatures is a book that has room to read.