April 10, 2009

Exploring Our Deep Connection With Animals

What is that instant fascination, fondness and amusement we have for animals of different species? The world over becomes engrossed with stories of stranded whales and helpful gorillas, curious about unusual interactions between wild animals and people such as when a coyote and a moose walked into convenience stores, and some of our favorite TV commercials feature animals. Why is there this deep connection and reaction we feel with our pets and in viewing wild animals? Susan's guest this week, Dr. Barbara King, will tell us numerous animal stories that answer these questions about our enduring relationships with animals. She is the author of the new book, Being With Animals: Why We Are Obsessed With The Furry, Scaly, Feathered Creatures Who Populate Our World.

Episode Segments:

Wild About Pets: Being With Animals Susan & Barbara discuss the main themes of Being With Animals, why we are so obsessed with animals, and the profound connection that we seem to share with them. Then, we hear about some amazing animal encounters & learn about a unique event for animals at St. John’s cathedral.
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Wild About Pets: The History of Animal/Human Connection Barbara describes the long history humans have relating with animals, as exemplified by cave paintings. Barbara also talks about her experiences with gorillas and the great apes, as well as how humans show their appreciation and love through symbols.
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Wild About Pets: Interacting with Wild Animals Barbara shares an amazing story of how gorillas deal with death, and tells us about her work helping feral cats. Susan and Barbara then describe the wonder of entering the world of large mammals.
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Links to Related Websites:

Look While You Listen! Click here to view the photos Susan and her guest are discussing.

To Order "Being With Animals" What do Mickey Mouse, Ganesh, a leopard-skin pillbox hat, A Lion Called Christian, and the Aflac duck have in common? They all represent human beings' deeply ingrained connection to the animal kingdom. In Being With Animals, anthropologist Barbara King unravels the complexity and enormous significance of this relationship.

Guest(s) Appearing on this Episode

Barbara J. King Barbara J. King is Professor of Anthropology at the College of William & Mary. She is author of the highly acclaimed Being With Animals (Doubleday 2010), Evolving God (Doubleday 2007, and The Dynamic Dance(Harvard University Press 2004). Dr. King has studied monkeys in Kenya and great apes in various captive settings. Her research has advanced the thesis that humans and animals have deeper emotional relationships than previously thought. Barbara is a popular guest on interview programs and recently appeared on the Diane Rehm Show and National Geographic Radio. Previously, she has been interviewed on radio programs in Canada, Austria, Germany, and Australia. Dr. King is the recipient of numerous teaching awards from William & Mary and the state of Virginia. She is also associated with the Teaching Company which produces course material taught by America's leading professors. Barbara King graduated from Douglass College with a BA in Anthropology. She also received her MA and PhD in Anthropology from the University of Oklahoma. Together with her husband, she cares for and arranges to spay and neuter homeless cats. Click here to visit her website

New York's Cathedral of Saint John the Divine - Procession of Animals. This is a clip from "A Celebration of Creation" documentary DVD by www.stfrancisanimalblessing.com