We share so much with our ape relatives and other animals but almost all animals do not keep pets - isnt that odd ?

The subject came up about animals in adverts and I thought about the way we humans love pets and have developed strong relationships with other animals not just for food but for protection entertainment and other benefits. And then I realised that even our closest relative bonobos do not do this. There is not even any evidence Neanderthals kept pets. Earliest evidence for a per appears to be 32000 years ago with tracks of a wolf walking alongside a child. Early records are from Europe and the Middle East. This made me immediately think of Romulus and Remus, but Romulus founded Rome in about 732BC (says chatgpt). Chatsgpt doesnt know an answer for the oldest folklore of humans and pets but the evidence is that dogs weren't buried with humans until about 14000BC. So 18000 years of casual association and 14000 years of true domestication ?? I think this is an interesting subject worthy of more research. Any opinions or contributions anyone ?

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awildsheepschase

In theory my cats keep me as their pet. I mean I took them in, but they certainly express in every way, how they need me to be. And just because in our laws, they are my property if ever came down to laws, what if I was presented before their courts? They'd probably say in court, since we are more loving and compassionate, we never considered you our property and we thank you for letting us take your home and letting us let you live there. Perspective matters, but that speaks a cat well

Captain · 61-69, M

@awildsheepschase yes apparently cats see us as failed hunters which is why they sometime bring home little trophies they have caught for us - delightful !

awildsheepschase

@Captain Oh they do. I read a book once, very telling, and it spoke of how cats never were domesticated. they just learned to live with us and domesticated us. They never looked for our approval they just tricked us into we would give them ours. I love my cats, but I don't for a second pretend I am not in their home

Captain · 61-69, M

@awildsheepschase Whereas dogs as pack animals accept subjugation to the rank of obedient slave, but boy are they still territorial and would defend us and our property to the point of death.

awildsheepschase

@Captain But I have no desire to be defended up until the point of possible death.

Captain · 61-69, M

@awildsheepschase I dont want to get into that position either.

awildsheepschase

@Captain The cat may be more often pissy, and hissy... But I think they know their actions and defences. Even my gymnast cat, I think met a dog for the first time stuck in the hallway and it would take a dog owner thinking if I make a wall of cardboard boxes that's gonna stop my acting out gymnast? If my cat needed, I felt bad how I let him be in the hallway and I didn't see, if a dog confronted him he'd be dancing and making the dog not even able to respond. I found it silly they thought carboard boxes would stop my cat, and their poor dog