In this bonus episode, Tony and his guests the veterinary scientist Daniel Mills and dog historian Stephanie Howard-Smith discuss how our attitudes towards dogs, and mourning their deaths, have evolved. We hear about the dog paintings of Edwin Landseer from Stephanie and how dogs read human emotions and 'love' us in their own way from Daniel. Together they discuss how growing empathy, affluence, and changing culture have transformed our bond with dogs from practical companionship to heartfelt connection, whose loss is deeply felt and openly mourned. As Stephanie says, ‘would it be heaven if your dog wasn’t there?’
Hosted by Sir Tony Robinson | Instagram @sirtonyrobinson
Producer: Melissa FitzGerald | X @melissafitzg
With
Daniel Mills, Professor of Veterinary Behavioural Medicine, University of Lincoln | https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/researchatlincoln/meetourexperts/danielmills/
Daniel Mills is a leading UK-based veterinary behavioural medicine specialist at the University of Lincoln, recognised internationally for his work on companion animal behaviour, cognition, and welfare. He is known for his "psychobiological approach," which integrates psychology, neuroscience, and behavioural biology to understand and manage problem behaviours in animals. His research focuses on animal emotions and how this knowledge can improve human-animal relationships and working animal performance.
Dr Stephanie Howard-Smith | https://www.instagram.com/doghistorian/
Stephanie Howard-Smith is a historian of human-dog relations. Her research focuses on the role of lapdogs in British society and culture, including their representation in literature, visual arts, and material culture. She is also currently researching canine wellbeing in Georgian Britain. Her book: ‘Yap, A Short History of Small Dogs’ is due out next year.
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