Dogs sniff and lick and fetch and wag their tails into the soft places of our hearts.
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ou’ve probably already crossed the line. Chances are it all started innocently enough; cuddling on the couch, for example, while watching a movie, or a shy, but sweet, kiss on the cheek. But before you know it, you’re pinned to your spot on the couch with a numb, tingling left leg because you can’t bear to disturb her; she’s fast asleep with her head on your lap. You scratch her back till she wriggles with pleasure. You call her your sugar-girl. You let her kiss you on the lips, and now you’re sharing spoonfuls of ice cream. After a series of boundary-blurring compromises, you’ve reached the point of no return. You’re smitten. You’re probably even sleeping together. As most dog owners can attest, you don’t set out intending to spoil your puppy. Over time, it just sort of happens. Chalk it up to the mysteries of the human heart. Though at times they can be troublesome, messy or smelly, dogs have a way of winning us over. They sniff and lick and fetch and wag their tails into the soft places of our hearts. They make weak even the strongest willed among us. After all, who could say no to a pair of soulful, brown eyes imploring you for another treat? Ever since they first joined our hunter-gatherer ancestors around ancient campfires some 15,000 years ago, dogs have remained our close companions. They were the first animals to be domesticated by humans. The mutual benefits of this initial partnership contributed to the success of both species. It was safer for dogs to travel with humans, who could see predators and prey at a greater distance by standing upright on two legs. Humans had tools and fire with which to capture large prey and cook it, which made their scraps a more reliable food source for dogs. For our ancestors, partnering with dogs increased their chances of survival. Dogs contributed their keen sense of smell during the hunt. They also offered warmth and security. Over thousands of years, humans refined the domestication of dogs and the social bond between owners and their dogs has only
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grown. Dogs have worked alongside humans in a number of important occupations: herding, sledding, hunting, retrieving, rescuing, guarding, detecting drugs and explosives, serving in the military and offering aid in the form of physical guidance or assistance. Not just for practical purposes, keeping dogs as pets also has a long history, particularly among royalty and elite members of society. In the U.S., pet populations of dogs exploded with the baby boom and suburbanization after World War II. The greatest interspecies bonding occurs between humans and their pet dogs. Today, with hundreds of modern breeds to choose from, it seems there is a pet dog suitable for everyone and every stage of life. For many people, it starts in university. What d ilapidated Victorian sagging under the weight of too-many roommates would be complete without a house dog to serve as mascot and resident sweetheart during moments of heartache or homesickness and the stress of studying for finals? Apartment dwellers typically look for miniature, hypoallergenic breeds that meet weight restrictions, require less space for exercise and don’t shed much, which is ideal when living in close quarters. Couples often pick out a new puppy when they’re in the “we’re-almost-ready-for-a-baby-but-not-quite” phase. Then there is Junior’s first dog, usually a Christmas present or a decision made in a moment of parental weakness and justified as an opportunity to teach children about responsibility, caring for a living creature and the cycle of life and death. In attempts to fill the void when their children first leave home, empty nesters look to their dog as a suitable substitute to receive their care and attention, and older folks benefit from the companionship a dog offers. Pets keep seniors active and lessen feelings of loneliness. Numerous studies have established the health benefits of owning a dog. Dogs have been shown to decrease stress and lower blood pressure. Our bodies show signs of physical relaxation when interacting with a dog. Walking, playing and caring for a dog contribute to a more active lifestyle, weight maintenance and improved cardiovascular fitness. Not just limited to physical benefits, owning a dog can improve mood, combat depression, increase self-esteem and decrease feelings of loneliness. In fact, psychologists at Miami University and St. Louis University found the emotional benefits dog owners receive from their canine companions could rival the benefits of a human friendship. They factored variables such as depression, loneliness, illness, self-esteem and activity levels, and found that participants with pets scored better overall, enjoying significant outcomes related to emotional wellbeing such as higher self-esteem and less loneliness. Discussing the social bonds between humans and dogs in a recent interview, Aubrey Fine, a professor at California State