Animals Make Us Humans by well-known animal expert Temple Grandin focuses on animal emotions and how people can ensure that animals have the best emotional lives possible. Central to Grandin's premise are what she calls the four “blue ribbon emotions”: seeking, fear, panic, and rage. She encourages readers to do what they can to promote the first emotion and limit the other three. She discusses how these emotions manifest themselves in dogs, cats, livestock, and wild animals, and she offers advice for people who live and work with these animals.

Grandin cites brain research and behavior studies verifying her ideas. I’m sure some of her thoughts are open to debate—what ideas in science aren’t?—but she’s not pulling thoughts out of the air either. She knows her stuff, both because she’s read the studies and because she’s spent time in close contact with animals and tried out many different techniques for keeping them stimulated or calming them. In fact, she devotes a whole section of the book to the importance of doing research both in the field and in the lab. And she makes some excellent points about the need for scientists and engineers to work more closely and share information with the animal handlers who might actually be able to apply their findings and use their designs. Her publications list shows she’s been working that way since the 1970s.

Much of what Grandin has to say will be troubling to some readers. She tells some terrible stories of poor animal handling, particularly in the chicken industry (confirming once again my decision not to purchase grocery store eggs). Because Grandin is a known spokesperson for animal welfare, but also one who works for the meat industry, I found her insights about animal activism to be especially interesting. An informative book by a woman who has made a real difference in many animals' lives.

See my complete review at my blog. ( )

Reading this book I found that there was much I didn't know about our domesticated animals. Grandin examines the reasons these animals act the way they do. Some chapters might also be disturbing when you read about the way certain animals are handled on a regular basis. I am not a vegetarian, but after reading this book, it will make me think twice about how my food got to the table. ( )

I loved it. It may be a bit technical for some but for animal lovers it is a must read. She talks about how to assure the lives of our companion animals, our food animals, and our zoo animals can be made the best it can be, given present realities.

I really appreciate the fact that Ms Grandin's approach includes her unique perspective which is related to her autism. That gives me so much hope that as a culture we are learning to appreciate and benefit from those among us who are "different".

I also appreciate the fact that she is a meat eater, as am I, and she cares about the welfare of the animals which ultimately are consumed by humans. I spent some time as a kid on a ranch and I learned at an early age that the fried chicken and the chickens in the yard had a relationship.

Check it out. You may also appreciate her book and perhaps your cat or dog will be glad you did. ( )