This Dog Will Change Your Life

Friedman sets out to understand the origins of dogs, noting that the text isn’t an academic book, but delves into the history of dogs’ domestication. They began as wolves. Wolves would enter human encampments in search of food. While some wolves proved dangerous, others proved to be friendly, loyal companions. The more integrated they became into human society, the more they were domesticated. Their biology and characters changed. Sixteen of the original breeds still exist, but humans have created countless others. This history shows how dogs have evolved with and because of humans.

Friedman continues reflecting on dog breeding. Because there are now so many breeds, humans have created a classification system. Confirmation shows formally recognize these various breeds.

Friedman remembers his childhood attachment to the dog encyclopedia. He reflects on all the book taught him about various breeds, their appearances, and temperaments. Friedman notes that while some dogs have bad reputations, their behavior is a symptom of their anatomy and the original conditions in which they were raised.

Friedman argues that humans developed so many breeds because they wanted dog companions that “reflected their lives” (15). While some dogs are better for hiking, hunting, or working, dogs shouldn’t be limited to their utility. Friedman references several movies where dogs reflect their owners’ personalities and appearances, noting that he’s observed this phenomenon in real life at the UK Kennel Club’s show Scruffts, which honors dogs’ unique personalities.

Friedman recalls the time his friend Jeff asked for help getting a dog. Jeff is in his mid-30s, like Friedman, and lives alone. He thought a dog would be a good alternative to being in a relationship and having kids. Jeff was set on a Basset, despite Friedman’s insistence that Bassets require a lot of care. His new Basset, Gertrude, proved challenging for Jeff as a caretaker. However, Jeff didn’t complain about all his new responsibilities; she changed Jeff for the better. He’s seen this same phenomenon countless times via his Dogist work.

Friedman recalls his trip to Puerto Rico to work with The Sato Project—an organization that rescues and rehomes satos, or stray dogs. He was especially taken by the dog Chrissy, whom they rescued from a beach where dogs are often abandoned. He realized what hard work this was and how important organizations like The Sato Project are.

The same is true of the North Valley Animal Disaster Group. They rescue and return dogs to their owners after natural disasters. Friedman teamed up with them after the 2018 Camp Fire in Paradise, California. Organizations like these are devoted to the care of dogs. This work is essential to preserving human—canine relationships.

Friedman reflects on all the dogs he’s met doing Dogist work in New York. He muses on why some people choose some dogs, suggesting that it’s related to people’s specific identities and dogs’ unique personalities.

When Friedman started The Dogist, he didn’t have a dog. He’d left his childhood dogs at home in Pennsylvania and didn’t think he was ready for his own in New York. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he and his friend Jeff went to Cape Cod. Being around Gertrude intensified Friedman’s desire for a dog, so he decided to foster. He contacted a local shelter, and the founder set him up with a Husky named Elsa. Friedman fell in love and adopted her shortly thereafter.

Since adopting Elsa, Friedman has only become more convinced that dogs can change your life. At the same time, he admits that not all shelters and breeders are reputable, and it’s important to choose the right one.

Friedman also argues that some people online are too skeptical of others’ dog ownership. He describes some photos he’s posted on The Dogist and commenters’ negative responses to seeing dogs in muzzles or with choke collars. People have also responded poorly when he’s shared difficult aspects of a dog’s past life. Friedman doesn’t want to promote animal cruelty, but does want to honor the positive aspects of the dogs’ new lives and homes.

Friedman recalls the time he worked with Whitney Fang of Hearts & Bones Rescue (HBR) in Dallas. They’re a nonprofit devoted to solving the overpopulation of dogs in the South. Friedman visited the rescue and helped Fang choose dogs to send to New York to be rehomed. He was emotional seeing the dogs in their kennels. However, all of the dogs sent to New York were adopted within days or weeks.

Friedman argues that, however you acquire your dog, the dog you choose says something about you. He recalls the time he photographed the dog Lunchbox for The Dogist. Lunchbox had health issues due to the abuse and neglect he suffered from his previous owners. However, his new owner loved him and told Friedman how relaxed Lunchbox was. This is just one story that proves how dogs’ past lives can be as complicated as humans’. Owners must be aware of their dogs’ pasts because human-canine relationships are reciprocal.

Friedman reflects on his friend Adam, who’s been scared of dogs since he was bitten as a child. Friedman told Adam he’d experienced a rare incident of aggression and urged him not to let this experience keep him from enjoying dogs now as an adult. He soon changed Adam’s mind; when Adam came to Cape Cod during the COVID-19 lockdown, he bonded with Gertrude and Elsa.

Friedman describes the evolution of The Dogist. At first, Friedman focused solely on the dogs, keeping his camera within what he calls the “Dog Zone” —the area on the ground where the dog is located. He didn’t want to distract from the dogs by including the owners, but soon realized the page was suffering from this omission. After all, The Dogist was meant to honor human—canine relationships. He soon started including footage of him talking to the owners or the owners interacting with their dogs.

Friedman reflects on his evolving love for dogs. He grew up with Oreo, Matilda, Maggie, and Ruby. He loved all of the dogs, but they each had different temperaments and quirks. He references Stanley Coren’s The Intelligence of Dogs and Vilmos Csányi’s If Dogs Could Talk as he reflects on dog intelligence and personality. Some sources describe these dynamics according to a dog’s biddability (or ability to obey commands), softness, persistence, bombproofness (or fearlessness), and galoopy-ness (or playfulness). Friedman asserts that some of these traits are trained into dogs, while others are distinct to their breeds.

Friedman describes all the emotions a dog’s face can hold. Their emotionality can teach us love and authenticity. He reflects on his interaction with a dog named Cheeto by way of example. Cheeto was born blind, but was active, agile, and friendly. The dogs he interacted with seemed to like him, too—they didn’t judge Cheeto for being different.

Friedman considers different representations of dogs in religion and literature. He references Christian, Hindu, Buddhist, and Jewish beliefs, and alludes to dogs on television. These representations prove that dogs are important, no matter the interpretation.

Friedman shares an anecdote from his own recent experience by way of example. He was writing at a café when he saw a little boy interact with another customer’s dog. The child was thrilled by the dog, and the owner seemed happier because of it. This interaction proved that dogs can awaken humans to life’s joy and offer connection.