This Dog Will Change Your Life

Elias Weiss Friedman tells the story of when his dog Oreo saved his life. When he was two years old, his grandmother was watching him play outside when he and Oreo disappeared. She searched everywhere, finally calling Friedman’s parents and the police. They eventually found him on the curb with Oreo by his side. Friedman identifies this as one of life’s miracles. Countless similar stories can be found online, reinforcing Friedman’s arguments.

Friedman started The Dogist in 2013 as a way to share his love of dogs with others. His book explores why humans have such strong bonds with canines and how these bonds change them. He argues dogs keep people from isolation, teach them about themselves, and help them make connections. The Dogist honors these aspects of human-canine bonds.

Friedman asserts that dogs’ ability to change humans “isn’t a theoretical concept” (xvii). He uses his friend Angus as an example. Angus lives with depression and anxiety. Noticing his friend was struggling, Friedman suggested Angus get a service or emotional support dog. He’d noticed how well Angus responded to his dog, Elsa. Angus was skeptical at first, but soon found a dog who was right for him.