NEW YORK, July 22, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Have you ever bailed on a date so your dog doesn't have to be home alone too long? Do your Facebook and Instagram posts include more pictures of your dog than of the humans in your family?

If so, you just might be a practicing "Dogtologist."

That's the name author Jeff Lazarus once gave to a blind date when asked about his particular religion. Lazarus' new book, DOGTOLOGY (Greenleaf Press) is a tongue-in-cheek "bible" that celebrates "the belief in dog" and encourages the faithful to embrace and laugh at the many rituals and routines that are so common among them. The Chicago Tribune describes DOGTOLOGY as, "funny and whimsical."

Here are some of the signs you just might be a "Dogtologist":

You happily purchase expensive "gourmet" treats such as "pupcakes" and "tail mix bars" for your hound while you're livin' off ramen.
You give holiday gifts to and from your dog -- and spend more time getting them exactly right than you do for your gifts for humans.
You relentlessly e-mail, Facebook post, and Pinterest pin dog photos, dog-toons, dog videos and dog PowerPoint slideshows to everyone on your contact list.
Your dog groomer knows that the concept of "drop the dog off' does not apply to you, and you are allowed to wait in the staff lounge where you are given status reports every 15 minutes.
You understand the sole purpose for which cell-phone cameras were invented: to capture cunning and hilarious shots of dogs behind the steering wheels of cars … wearing sunglasses … and outfitted in their finest Scottish beanies.

Lazarus will say that being a "Dogtologist" is perfectly OK as he provides lots of great stuff to "chew on" about the man-dog relationship.

The idea for Dogtology was inspired by Lazarus' dog Roamy, a stray he adopted who became his confidant, refuge, sanity and partner in crime. Dogtology: Live. Bark. Believe is the first in a series of his dog-themed books.