Michael Schaffer

Michael Schaffer is a writer in Philadelphia. One Nation Under Dog, his book about petmania, the pet industry, and what modern petkeeping says about modern America, is available from Henry Holt. For more visit www.michaelschaffer.net.

Bush Is Fun Again!

When he left office in January, George W. Bush's popularity plunged. But with Cheney and Rummy back in the headlines, Michael Schaffer says that opinion is shifting once again: the loveable, bumbling Bush of old is back.

Michael Schaffer

Bring On the First Dog Controversies!

Sure, it's all smiles for Bo, the first pooch, now. But whether he knows it or not, Barack Obama has entered a cultural minefield, in which everything about Bo—what he eats, where he sleeps, whom he bites—will bring a fierce national debate.

Michael Schaffer

Man's Only Friend

In an exclusive excerpt from the new book One Nation Under Dog, scientists argue that as people have gotten lonelier and more disconnected, they’ve filled the gap with more pets.

Michael Schaffer

Dogs—So Like Us

The author of the new book One Nation Under Dog set out to discover why we spend thousands on doggie cancer surgeries, pet taxi services, and "human-grade" chow. What he found is that the pet universe has become a strange reflection of the human one.

Michael Schaffer

articles/2009/02/16/fidos-recession/pet-expo---dog---organic-food-x174_wgbcwm

Financial Crisis Dogs Pet Industry

Canine mineral water! Parrot outerwear! Capitalism was running amok at this week’s Global Pet Expo. But look closely, and you could see that the sour economy was hounding even our four-legged friends.

Michael Schaffer

Michael Schaffer

Bush Is Fun Again!

Bring On the First Dog Controversies!

Man's Only Friend

Dogs—So Like Us

Financial Crisis Dogs Pet Industry

Alberto Gonzales' Memoir Revealed

The Last Dick