The friendship between man and dog started in the Ice Age, between 10,000 and 20,000 years ago…
or did it?
First it was told that man and dog started their companionship between 10,000 and 20,000 years ago, but a new study has found that our four-legged sidekicks have been our best friend for much longer.
A team of Swedish scientists discovered a canine bone in the Taimyr Peninsula, Siberia. Through DNA testing they figured out that the bone was around 35,000 years old and belonged to a domesticated wolf – one of the early dogs. The DNA evidence showed that modern-day Siberian Huskies and Greenland sled dogs share an unusually large number of genes with the ancient wolf. This means, that humans were actually accompanied by dogs centuries earlier than first thought.
Maybe that explains the tight and special relationship between dogs and humans, and the fact that dogs have a significant impact and role in human lives – We go way back! Dogs have been considered “man’s best friend” for ages (even longer than we thought), and they have certainly earned the title. Apparently, we have been drawn to each other for more than 35,000 years, and from the very beginning they have hunted with us, kept pests away, kept us warm, assisted the disabled, and faithfully remained our loyal companions. They have helped us in so many ways and expect little in return.
This short post is a small celebration of our life-long companions. Do you have a great story about your dear pet? Long or short – we would like to hear it!
