Lab dog A beagle and his human investigate the surprising world of animal research

In her first book, journalist Kaplan applies her years of investigative reporting experience to tracking down the mysteries behind the early life of her beloved beagle, Alexander Hamilton, a.k.a. Hammy. She only knew he had been rescued from some sort of research lab in Virginia. For more than a decade, she and Hammy traversed the country to learn more about how animals are used in biomedical research, product and pharmaceutical testing, and education. Her wide-ranging explorations include interviews with not only animal rescuers and scientists, but also entrepreneurs who are developing artificial alternatives to live animals and animal cadavers. While the book's focus is on beagles, a breed purpose-bred for research and used because they are docile, Kaplan includes information about testing on other animals such as frogs, mice, rats, and chimps. She explores the ethics of animal use: is it fair to confine and subject a sentient creature to suffering for the sake of solving the enigmas of serious human diseases? Is it acceptable to use live companion animals to train future veterinarians in medical interventions such as surgery? VERDICT Kaplan and Hammy raise weighty ethical questions in this important book. Animal lovers will be moved.--Caren Nichter