The Incredible Story of Dogs traces the entertaining, surprising and somewhat bizarre story ofhumankind's best friend and the diverse relationships humans and dogs have. Relationships between dogs and humans are cross cultural, occurring in all cultures across the globe and spanning all of humankind's history. From best friends to working partners, dogs have been a part of the human experience for 15,000 years.

Part III, Matters of Life and Death

Matters of Life and Death evokes awe and respect. Here are hero dogs--renowned not just for saving lives but also for filling voids in an imperfect world. Ribbon is a dog who can predict epileptic seizures, and has transformed the life of his owner. Halley rejuvenates despondent people on the fringe of society.

• allegedly
• altruistic
• amiable
• apartheid
• apprehensive
• autistic
• catalyst
• defective
• dehydrated
• despondent
• deviants
• dispense
• enduring
• epilepsy
• exclusive
• facade
• gratification
• hostility
• inducted
• invaluable
• limitless
• mannerisms
• marked
• misconception
• obvious
• permeates
• photogenic
• predator
• predictive
• recruits
• rejuvenate
• revert
• revulsion
• seizure
• subtle
• tendencies
• thalidomide
• theory
• traumatic
• vulnerability

1. Dogs are used in different search and rescue scenarios. What sense do dogs have, that humans lack, that make them well-suited for this type of work?

2. While dogs provide physical rescue and help people out of dangerous situations, they also rescue people in other ways. What kind of emotional support and "rescue" can a dog provide? Why are they so well-suited for this task?

3. The women in the prison who trained the helper dogs spoke of their bonds with their dogs, especially trust. They indicated that they could trust dogs more easily than they could trust people. What kinds of bonds do dogs and humans achieve? Are dogs more trustworthy than people?

4. Dogs and humans form symbiotic relationships (relationships that benefit both parties). What are the benefits to both the humans and the dogs involved in the programs to aid the handicapped?

5. Different breeds of dogs are more suited than others for special tasks. However, many dogs can easily learn to respond to their masters' needs. How does this trait of adaptability affect the work dogs are chosen to perform?

6. The relationship between dogs and humans are sometimes quite complex. Dogs are perceptive to the subtle emotions of humans. Discuss how this affected the attitude of dogs to people of races other than their masters in apartheid South Africa. How did the differing cultural attitudes toward dogs result in tragedy for one family?

1. Research stories of dogs as heroes and helpers, then write an essay discussing the ways in which dogs have enriched people's lives in this special manner.

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