Any dog owner will tell you that there is a profound and mysterious connection between humans and their dogs. Mary Ludington's spectacular and sensitive photographs reflect this understanding. The striking collection of more than one hundred twenty-five photographs offers us a glimpse of dogs in their element.

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Product Description

In The Nature of Dogs, Mary Ludington seeks to capture the true nature of dogs -- their beauty, character, and spirit. Any dog owner will tell you that there is a profound and mysterious connection between humans and their dogs. Our regard for these creatures undeniably runs deeper than mere gratitude for companionship: we respect the unknowable aspect of their natures and understand that at least a part of their true spirit resides outside the human sphere. Though they hunger for our affection, our pets are often most themselves in their natural habitat.

Mary Ludington's spectacular and sensitive photographs reflect this understanding, capturing the particular personalities of sixty different breeds, from the handsome and feisty Irish Terrier to the exuberant and hardy Labrador Retriever; from the sleek, high-stepping Italian Greyhound to the snub-nosed, princely Pug. Ludington has her subjects roam outdoors, observing quietly and letting the dogs dictate her shots. The striking collection of more than one hundred twenty-five photographs that results from this natural approach offers us a glimpse of the dogs in their element -- whether caught midstride or in an hour of well-earned repose.

Of course, as Patricia Hampl notes in her foreword, though we may find ourselves drawn to a certain breed's characteristics, our love for dogs inevitably becomes deeply specific; a dog is an individual, not a bloodline. "There is only one dog," she writes, "mine...or of course, yours." This intense relationship between pet and owner is reflected in the set of original, personal essays that accompanies Ludington's photographs. The contributing writers include:

• JAMES HILLMAN, renowned psychologist and prolific author
• MARY GAITSKILL, National Book Award finalist
• TEMPLE GRANDIN, PhD in animal science and spokeswoman for the welfare of animals
• KEVIN KLING, playwright, humorist, and regular contributor to All Things Considered
• WINONA LADUKE, Native American environmental activist and two-time vice-presidential candidate
• PETER TRACHTENBERG, poet, essayist, and short-story writer

Their personal perspectives combine to create a narrative that addresses the nature of the species we call "man's best friend" in a volume you will treasure for years to come.

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #319155 in Books
• Published on: 2007-10-16
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 168 pages

From Publishers Weekly
Animal photographer Ludington's stunning collection of dog portraits, packaged in a tasteful coffee table format, is sure to win the hearts of dog lovers with its obvious yet understated reverence. Unlike other books of this type, Ludington's portraits of well-known breeds such as the French Bulldog, Rhodesian Ridgeback and Dachshund treat the animals with a high degree of respect-no funny costumes, anthropomorphic asides or cloying sweetness here. Ludington's candid shots-dogs in grass, snow, forest and river-are largely devoid of sentimentality, focusing instead on each animal's unique spirit, an effect perhaps best exemplified in her study of the ghostly Greyhound, whose coiled potential for sudden, shocking speed gives its portraits a feeling of tension and transience. Each entry is augmented with a brief history of the breed and key characteristics, but the photographs rightfully take center stage. Unfortunately, the handful of essays scattered throughout don't live up to the same high standard-Mary Gaitskill's is especially cringeworthy-with the notable exception of Kevin Kling's opening essay, a lyrical rumination on the ferocity of canines.
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Review
"The Nature of Dogs is an exquisite journey -- in powerful photographs and beautiful words -- into the diverse world of dogs. These remarkable images and evocative essays capture the true soul of dogs. I was deeply moved by this book." -- Jon Katz, author of Dog Days; Dispatches from Bedlam Farm

"Mary Ludington's affectionate and respectful portraits return us to our richest and most cherished memories, to times when we were so completely accepted by these mysterious and forgiving creatures, or times when they worked alongside us until they had nothing left. The range of their personalities is vast, their virtues legendary, their humor a refuge. But it is that curious way they have of glancing at us, quivering on the edge of language, which lingers long after they've wandered off, that opens for us, again, the mystery of our animal being."- Barry Lopez

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Customer Reviews

A Basset (and Brittany) Lover in MN
I bought this book at a dog show today and it is absolutely wonderful! The pictures are breathtaking and Mary is one of the nicest people I know! Someday I want her to photograph my dogs as I know they will be the best of any photos I've ever had taken. Her talent is amazing. Buy this book, you won't be disappointed!

I knew it would be good...but not this good.
Mary Ludington is one of those rare brilliant supernovas that one waits a lifetime to witness. In this book, it isn't just her soul-stopping photography, or her ability to assemble writers who put into words what cannot be put into words, it's what happens when they're put side-by-side. It is the unexpected alchemy of the alloy. The sum is greater than even the (great) parts. The essays and the photographs speak to the true animal lover, to the person who understands the unimpeachable heart of dogs. I have to go order another one before they're out.

Best in Show!
This book is exquisite. Any dog lover will be proud to display it on a coffee table or to receive it as a gift. Mary does an incredible job of capturing the essence of each dog's unique personality. I was especially taken with the beauty of the book in both picture and prose. You will love this book!