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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AthrillatheHunt · 51-55, M

Monkey troops keep dogs as pets to warn them of danger

Captain · 61-69, M

@AthrillatheHunt HI athrilla, according to this chap who has done a lot of research on it, othe rmonkeys don’t, though they band together in urban situations… Its a long but user friendly read.

https://doggozila.com/do-monkeys-keep-dogs-as-pets/

AthrillatheHunt · 51-55, M

@Captain I saw a nature documentary where they do. They treat them very poorly too

Captain · 61-69, M

@AthrillatheHunt Aha, so not as pets, but as slaves. I didn't see any comment in the guys article about that, but it wouldn’t fit the definition o “pet” on two levels. 1. Its a “functional” need - and the dogs are clearly being kept under duress if they are treated badly. 2. Its not for company, its not a nurturing behaviour. You can have a look at his article if you like via the link.

AthrillatheHunt · 51-55, M

@Captain only we keep emotional support animals . Their purpose is to warm the monkey troop of danger , same as any farm or guard dog . Regardless of the breed of dog , it would qualify as “working class “

Captain · 61-69, M

@AthrillatheHunt I lov eit - LOL. Yes we have support workers who offer nothing but warm words and comfort and we call it work, but the academics don’t define it like that where pets are concerned. For me, it is this emotional support thing that seems to be unique as you say and in general words rooted form “pet” are about emotional support so… Anyway bottom line, we as a species seem to be relatively unique in this behaviour - maybe its our reasoning brain, one of the disadvantages being we are smart enough to have neuroses and psychoses. Doge do seem to hav emotional mood swings as well, maybe they caught it off us ? Interesting stuff though that’s for sure.