Dogs can immediately become full-fledged members of your family, unlike most other animals in the world. You already know this, if you've had your dog for a considerable period of time. The dog-and-human relationship is strong that it can be traced back into prehistoric times.
You can visualize the scene in which a prehistoric hunter finds a lost wolf cub in the woods and brings him home to care for it. The prehistoric family may have found that the cub made a great fit with their family, and the hunter probably also found that the wolf cub was useful in his hunting activities, as well.
This is partially because dogs and wolves generally have social systems not too far removed from those in the human world. They survive with the lead of an adult male who dominates over all other members of the pack. And, should the leader overstep his boundaries, a strong, competent female will step into to provide needed leadership.
There is almost no limit to the list of dog strengths. They have a strong sense of smell, are alert almost beyond belief, and are, in many cases, excellent hunters. And whether you're talking about modern or ancient households, they are ideal in part because of their ability to survive -- even on something as small as food scraps.
The wolf pack that our hypothetical prehistoric man would have found wasn't as gentle and kind as our domesticated pets, of course. Wolves had only the rudimentary type of personality that accommodated prehistoric people, just as our current beloved pets accommodate our modern families. Our own domestication of our dogs makes them more and more suitable to living with families with each passing generation of dog.
This meshing of dog culture and human culture is extremely strong. It doesn't make a bit of difference what kind of dog you have or whether it's primarily a working dog or a companion -- in either case, it's a friend that will stick with you for life.
In our modern times and conditions, having a dog is probably not primarily involved in your survival. But it's certain that your dog has his own role in your household. Some of the jobs dogs currently handle include:
But for most of us, those extraordinary roles are less important the the special, emotional bond they form with you and your family. Whenever you stand in need of extra comforting or need a companion for an adventure, your dog is there for you.
You will want to ensure that you nurture and care for your dog so that he will thrive. Provide your dog with the nourishment he needs and with the attention he deserves, and he will be your friend for life.
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