Reading Tim Dowling (We are way past peak puppy – it’s time to end the great British dog obsession, 22 November) took me back to 1973, when I was launching a small local cable TV station, Bristol Channel. To grab some publicity, in the Sunday evening “God slot”, I launched Dog Slot, a programme for and by pets. My family’s border terrier, Jenny, was the inspiration: she was a TV addict. We attracted press coverage, and a research assistant of Umberto Eco wrote from Bologna to ask if we had any data on audience response. Barks and miaows had not been recorded, I answered, but humans reported considerable pet interest.
Peter Lewis
Kentish Town, London
Tim Dowling needs to read the pragmatist philosopher William James to understand why people love dogs. As we can’t be certain what dogs are thinking, we have a “right to believe” they are emotionally intelligent, offer support in difficult times, and like Dog TV. Since this belief is useful in the lives of those of us who love dogs, we have good reason to regard it as true. I shall be upgrading Molly’s phone for Christmas.
Prof Michael C Jackson
Beverley, Yorkshire
