Part memoir, and part cutting edge science., this book shows that dogs can think, scheme, plot, understand human conversation, and, as part of their genetic inheritance, herd, guard, search, and, in general, love to help humans. It also shows that dogs aren't wolves. Without dogs, we couldn't have domesticated, sheep, goats, cattle, pigs, or horses. We owe civilization to dogs. Because dogs smell and hear so much better than humans,dogs have been vital in hunting, war, and colonizing new lands. Without dogs, America would never have been settled. This book also shows how and when dogs evolved. Humans and dogs have co-evolved, forming a partnership unmatched by other species. Nobody tamed dogs to be loyal to humans. Dogs domesticated themselves.