"In exploring the long history of dogs in cities, Chris Pearson shows that the canine's inherently violent, filthy, and offputting aspects have significantly shaped contemporary western urban environments, as people sought to contain strays, rabies, and waste. And yet, the special bond between humans and dogs has also been a constitutive force. Investigating this history in Paris, London, and New York, Pearson details the complex interrelations among emotions, sentiment, and the ways we manifest our feelings through physical forms and social structures. The story of humans and dogs can illuminate the story of the rise and shape of urban modernity itself"--