This surprising and original first novel seems destined to become a
horror classic.  In New York City in the year 2009, 150 dogs arrive,
walking upright, speaking English and clad in 19th century Prussian formal
wear.  It turns out that the "Monster Dogs" were created by an insane
German named Augustus Rank, whose mad vision it was to create a race of
super-soldiers.  In 1882 he was forced to flee to Canada, where he
and his successors perfected their creations.  But ultimately the
dogs rebelled and now they are ready to enter the world. 

Ms Bakis greatest achievement is to make this whole scenario seem totally
plausible and she creates a set of characters who earn our affection and
eventually our pity, as the dogs begin to descend into insanity.  If ultimately
she seems a little less sure-handed when the time comes to wield her creations
and conclude the story, we are prepared to forgive her because the set
up has been so provocative.  Like all the best monster fiction, the
creatures serve to illuminate the question of what it means to be human. 

Comments:

I just finished "Lives of the Monster Dogs"? 

How can you even remotely classify it as horror- Great book, maybe you should actually try reading it sometime.  I think you actually missed the social commentary that Kirsten Bakis laid down for 291 pages.