I have always felt that every creature, every species we share the
planet with was put here to serve a purpose. There is a balance that
exists in nature. Every creature exists because it has its own role to
play in maintaining that balance. What is the role of dogs in the
natural order? I have come to believe that dogs are here to be with
human beings, us, that nature has uniquely intended dogs to be our
companions.
Evidence exists that would suggest that wolves, from which all dogs
are descended, have accompanied man as many as 15,000 years ago. The
first pet wolves probably assisted their human masters with hunting
and defending. Man has made pets out of all sorts of animals besides
dogs. Amongst them are cats, fishes, birds, reptiles, rodents, and
horses to name a few. Some even make pets out of insects. But it is
the dog that has just the right combination of attributes that fit us
perfectly.
Dogs possess just enough intelligence to be teachable but not so much
that its needs for mental stimulation are too burdensome to reasonably
provide. Dogs have a pack mentality with the capacity to accept humans
as pack members and are protected and defended as such. Big dogs are
strong enough to adequately defend against attackers but not so big
that they require any kind of special housing. Dogs do not have
special dietary needs. Dogs are genetically easy enough to breed into
variations that fulfill specific needs like pulling sleds, herding
livestock, or hunting rats. Nowadays, if we need an animal to provide
assistance to the blind, or assist the police in catching a criminal,
or detect drugs, explosives, or survivors in pile of rubble that we
might not otherwise be able to find it is the dog that we turn to.
Sure, a cat can keep you company but will never protect you against an
attacker. You can't pet a fish. Reptiles and birds aren't capable of
thinking of you as family. You can't take a hamster or a rabbit for a
walk. Don't get me started on insects. And while a dog can't plow your
field or give you a ride like a horse can, a dog can still herd the
horse and keep watch over it.
Dogs have been called "man's best friend" with good reason. They've
earned it.
This was posted on my blog. If you'd like to see more it's listed
under "Jon's Canine Crusade" on the links page.
------------------------------------
" Lets talk about our wonderful little friends!
Join today! " Yahoo! Groups Links
<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Chihuahuas/
<*> Your email settings:
Individual Email | Traditional
<*> To change settings online go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Chihuahuas/join
(Yahoo! ID required)
<*> To change settings via email:
mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
