Author(s): Raimond Gaita

Philosophy

In this marvellous book Raimond Gaita tells stories about dogs and cats, about bees and butterflies. Many of these stories describe animals he has known: Jack the cockatoo, Gypsy the dog and Tosca the street-wise cat. In focussing on them and others, in the context of family life, Gaita asks questions about how animals think and feel.

What does Gypsy think about when she sits on her mat gazing out to sea? Is it mistaken to attribute the concepts of love, devotion, loyalty, grief, bravery or friendship to animals? Why do we care so much for some creatures and so little for others?

Gaita