Is Man Dog’s Best Friend?

We are all familiar with the saying that a “dog is man’s best friend.” How this came to be is something nobody really knows. Archaeological diggings tend to show that man/dog relationship did not start out as friendship but of business relationship.

What scientists (of various branches of science) know beyond doubt is that dogs evolved from wolves and dogs are the first animal domesticated by man.

Just when, where and how this evolution took place is the subject of constant debate. While domesticating the dog was the result of man’s need for help in his hunting and planting activities.

Man saw in the dog the potential to help him corner prey when hunting for food or ward off intruders from his patch of agricultural land. For its service, the dog was given free board and lodging.

It is simple business relationship.

Fast forward today, dogs are still basically used to “work” for man, though of different nature. Hunting with dogs is now a pleasure or a hobby, and tending to farms is mostly found in sheep country.

They are now called service dogs to sniff out drugs or bombs, “seeing” eye dogs, guard dogs, show dogs, emotional therapy dogs and many others

They are not just given board and lodging but showered with everything a good dog supplies stores can give. From dog vitamins and food supplements, dog accessories like dog collars, dog vests, dog harness, dog grooming supplies, dog carriers, dog toys, etc.

And dog veterinarians are making a living as good as those of regular doctors.

With all these pampering given to dogs in exchange for its services, man is still hardly a dog’s best friend.

According to animal welfare groups, of the total recorded animal abuse cases in the U.S. each year, 64% are against dogs.

There was this case of two teenagers who skinned a dog alive and a guy Europe found to have more than a dozen dead dogs in his freezer.

According to animal rights advocates, the simple leasing of a dog in the backyard constitutes dog abuse. Dogs are very sociable animal and tying them in the backyard induces stress.

Are you your dog’s best friend?

I and my two Labradors, one a pure while the other one, half, have a very good symbiosis. They keep me company and I scratch their belly each time I take a computer break.