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What's a Dog For?

KUER 90.1 | By Doug Fabrizio
Published November 8, 2013 at 3:47 PM MST

When magazine editor John Homans and his family adopted their first dog, he was struck by the strangeness of having a predator in his home, one who really liked having her belly scratched. He also wondered why his family was so enthralled by this creature. So he set out to answer some basic canine questions: Where do dogs come from? How did they become so un-wolf-like? Why do we love them so much? Basically, he wanted to know what a dog’s for. Homans joins us Monday to explore our relationship with man’s best friend.

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John Homans is the executive editor of New York magazine. His first book is called What's a Dog For? The Surprising history, Science, Philosophy and Politics of Man's Best Friend [Amazon|Indiebound], and it's recently been released in paperback.

John Homans referenced canine scientist Brian Hare and his book The Genius of Dogs [Amazon|Indiebound]
Curiosities
Doug Fabrizio
Doug Fabrizio has been reporting for KUER News since 1987, and became News Director in 1993. In 2001, he became host and executive producer of KUER's RadioWest, a one hour conversation/call-in show on KUER 90.1 in Salt Lake City. He has gained a reputation for his thoughtful style. He has interviewed everyone from Isabel Allende to the Dalai Lama, and from Madeleine Albright to Desmond Tutu. His interview skills landed him a spot as a guest host of the national NPR program, "Talk of the Nation." He has won numerous awards for his reporting and for his work with RadioWest and KUED's Utah NOW from such organizations as the Society of Professional Journalists, the Utah Broadcasters Association, the Public Radio News Directors Association and the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.
See stories by Doug Fabrizio