In On God and Dogs, theologian Stephen Webb notes the remarkable number of creation myths from "primordial peoples" that portray God as having a dog, with no explanation of where the dog came from. Since our deities are often imagined in our own, human image, it's tempting to think that these gods with their dogs reflect a sense that dogs have been by humans' sides since the beginning of time-a pairing so natural and necessary that the origin of the dog need not even be explained. Even today, many people still rely on dogs for help with hunting, herding, and protection, not to mention the growing numbers who find that canine companionship can alleviate crippling loneliness and even provide a way to connect with other human beings and lend a sense of purpose to life. Because of our ancient, intimate relationship, dogs can tell us a great deal about ourselves. ...dogs-both real and textual-tap into all of our complex feelings about our relationship with other animals and the rest of nature.