Man's Best Friend

Last week, all we had to do was read, so I don't have much to post for it. But, this week, we had to read an article on man's best friend, and it's history with humans! This article was pretty interesting, though made me want to cry at some parts, if you read it, you'll see where! 

We then had to answer some questions, and the best part was telling the class about Colby :)

Address the following questions as in-depth as you can: 

1. When and where were dogs first domesticated? 

Though, it may be an isolated situation, he first “dog-like” remains were recovered at Goyet Cave in Belgium, and date about 37,100 years old. It is also believed that less than 16,300 years ago, in China south of the Yangtze River, dogs were domesticated around the same time of the domestication of rice in the same area. Based on skeletons found throughout the Old World from China to Africa, it is clear that dogs have been part of human’s lives for the past 10,000 years.

2. Where have the archaeological remains of dogs been recovered across the globe and in what contexts? 

Dog remains have been found all over the world. In places like the Middle East, they have been found mummified and kept in tombs such as the Temple of Anubis in Egypt, and from China to Mesopotamia as scarifies to the spirits. Dogs have also been found in the Americas as a source of food. 

3. For what purposes did humans domesticate dogs? 

Dogs may have been domesticated for herding, companionship, sacrificial purposes, and for food. It is believed by archaezoologist Susan Crockford that the believed wolves who dogs come from were not deliberately tamed, but that they domesticated themselves. Small, less fearful and aggressive, wolves became curious of humans and began living in close proximity to humans hunting for their scraps, and over time, they because friendly with humans. 

4. Why do you think dogs are known as “man’s and woman’s” best friend’? 

I believe dogs are known as man’s best friend because for most dog owners, he or she becomes part of the family, and the dog can sense that. Dogs, being descendants of wolves, always look for a “pack leader”, and because the owner supplies the food, the shelter, fun, and discipline, the owner is the “pack leader”, and is respected. Though, the love of a dog is unconditional, it is important when owning one to train for this purpose. If a dog is left free reign of it’s home, with no discipline or daily regiment it will not recognize you as the “pack leader”. When you’ve established reliability between yourself and a dog, you receive the irreplaceable friendship and love of a dog.

5. If you have a pet, post a photo of him or her, and discuss what you know about his/her ancestry. (No points taken off if you don’t have a dog or other pet!) 

This is Colby, he’s about 7 months old! He is a Lab/Border Collie mix. The Lab in him makes him a family dog, while the Border Collie makes him a worker. Border Collies are bred to herd and can be known to try and herd anything, even humans, including nipping at heals and butts. Colby is definitely a herder, but because he is around small children we made sure to work at stopping the nipping from day one. Because he’s a worker, when he isn’t given something to do like play with a toy or chew on his “chewies,” he can get into trouble! He is by far the smartest dog I have ever had, and has the biggest personality. By 9 weeks old he could sit and lay down, and by 12 weeks he could shake. He loves to cuddle and put his head in your lap or for that matter anywhere on your body in hopes of getting some love. Colby is a mix of 2 working dogs and needs to be kept busy, but he is so full of life, he makes me better for having him.

That's all for this week. Until next time!