Pets
Laurie Taylor explores the changing nature of our relationship to companion animals and goes on a dog walk.
PETS: Laurie Taylor talks to Jane Hamlett, Senior Lecturer in Modern British History at Royal Holloway, University of London, about her study of the British love affair with pets over the last two century. She found that the kinds of pets we keep, as well as how we relate to and care for them, has changed radically. Most importantly, pets have played a powerful emotional role in families across all social classes, creating new kinds of relationships and home lives.
Also Jessica Amberson, Lecturer in Adult and Continuing Education at University College, Cork, takes us on a dog walk and explores what this mundane daily activity means for a canine owner and how it helps shapes the identity of a ‘dog person’?
Producer: Jayne Egerton
Last on
Guests and further reading
- Jane Hamlett, Professor of Modern British History at Royal Holloway, University of London
Pet Revolution: Animals and the Making of Modern British Life (with Julie-Marie Strange) Reaktion Books
- Jessica Amberson, Lecturer in Adult and Continuing Education at the School of Applied Social Studies, University College Cork, Ireland
On being a dog-person: Meaning-making & dog-walking identities:
Broadcasts
- Wed 11 Oct 202316:00BBC Radio 4
- Mon 16 Oct 202300:15BBC Radio 4
Explore further with The Open University
Podcast
![]()
Thinking Allowed
New research on how society works



