To put animals and nature, the Earth's life community, first, and not just our own species, is a new way of thinking. It is a major evolutionary step for Homo sapiens. This book takes the reader beyond the polemics of animal rights and the imperatives of environmental protection into the deeper realms of animal consciousness, the 'empathosphere.' and the healing powers of nature where the call for humane planetary stewardship and enlightened self-interest converge. Written by a veterinarian with doctoral degrees in medicine and animal behavior, and with a lifetime of advocating animal and environmental protection, this book addresses the dictum of Socrates that "a life unexamined is a life unlived." Exploring values, perceptions and beliefs that are embedded historically in our culture from various religious, political, economic and social roots, Animals and Nature First shows why and how this new way of thinking and relating to other living beings is ultimately enlightened self-interest. It is an integral aspect of our recovery, economically, socially, politically and spiritually. Animal well-being and the health of the natural environment are inseparable from the health, well-being and the ultimate fate of humanity.
Michael W. Fox was born and educated in the UK, earning his veterinary degree at the Royal Veterinary College, London, graduating with honors in pathology and animal husbandry in 1962. He was awarded the gold medal and Fellowship of the Veterinary Medical Association by the Royal Veterinary College for his research report on Diseases of the Sheep-dog in Relation to Management and Nutrition. His subsequent research into animal behavior and development in the U.S. resulted in a dissertation entitled "Integrative Development of the Brain and Behavior in the Dog," which earned a Ph.D. in Medicine from London University in 1967. After receiving the Outstanding Teacher Faculty Award from the Alumni at Washington University, St Louis MO, where he continued behavioral and developmental studies in dogs, cats, wolves, coyotes, foxes and other related canids, for which he earned a D.Sc. in animal behavior/ethology from London University in 1976, he chose to focus on advocating animal protection, rights and environmental conservation, and in continuing his avocation as a teacher and public speaker. Between 1967 and 2003 he served in various positions with the Humane Society of the United States, including Scientific Director and Vice President for Bioethics and Sustainable Agriculture. During this time he was a regular guest on Johnny Carson's Tonight Show, and published two bestselling books, Understanding Your Dog, and Understanding Your Cat. He was chairman of the National Academy of Science (NAS) Committee on Applied Animal Ethology. He has authored and edited over 40 books for adults and children, and writes the nationally syndicated newspaper column, Animal Doctor (with United Features Syndicate, NY). His regular monthly animal column in McCall's magazine was the longest running column on animals in a U.S. magazine. Featured in Marquis' Who's Who in America, Who's Who in Science and Technology, and Who's Who in the World, Dr. Fox is a widely recognized author, consultant, and lecturer on animal awareness, emotions, rights, and well-being; on human- non-human relationships and rights philosophy; on bioethics, biotechnology, humane, sustainable agriculture, and holistic health. His long-held basic premise that human health and well being are inseparable from animal health and welfare and environmental protection and conservation is now gaining international recognition as a bioethical imperative and prerequisite for a viable future.
