How Dogs Love Us

Have you ever wondered what your dog truly thinks about you? For ages, people assumed we could only guess. Then came a bold experiment: teaching dogs to enter an MRI scanner while fully awake—no restraints, no sedation—just to see how their brains respond to our signals and presence.

In this opening glimpse, the aroma of possibility fills the air. The training process isn’t just a pet trick; it’s a window into the complex, emotional world of dogs. From a beloved family companion, newly adopted from a shelter, to a border collie skilled in agility competitions, each pup steps up to reveal something about the mind of canines.

Such a mission is part science, part love story. One dog’s unwavering devotion led to the question: “Does she love me back?” The quest to answer this—and watch the neural fireworks—fills the pages that follow. Get ready for a warm, motivating exploration of how deeply dogs connect with their humans.

The book begins with a simple yet heartfelt question: Do dogs experience love and loyalty the way we do? An adopted feist named Callie becomes the catalyst for a daring approach to discover the answer through neuroscience. Her energetic displays, food-driven learning, and unwavering gaze spur a scientist to explore the canine mind.

In the early stages, it’s all about assembling the right team—dog trainers, lab members, and, of course, enthusiastic canines. The excitement quickly meets reality when they realize just how complicated it is to bring a dog into an MRI setting. Scientists, lawyers, and ethical reviewers face a brand-new puzzle: how to safely scan a non-human volunteer without compromising anyone’s wellbeing.

Amid the brainstorming, a central theme emerges: the power of determination and the sense of wonder that drives all scientific pursuits. This was no typical lab experiment, but a heartfelt mission to decode the bond between humans and dogs. By the end of these early chapters, you’ll sense that something extraordinary is taking shape.