Seeking Neolithic dogs Call for help

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PMM P
PMM Mar 28, 2007 03:32:30
Replying to Rhiannon

So many issues. So many questions.

What was the role of dogs?

How human were we in the sense that we understand it today?

The first question was asked in the original post.

The second I ask after sitting her, with my cat sitting purring on my lap, as I stroke him.

He's old, and he stinks, because he has a bad tooth.

The reason I stroke him, rather than break his neck and eat him is because he's lovely, and I've known him for about 10-12 years, and I know him as a lovely, friendly cat that does no harm to anybody.

So I guess I'm agreeing with you, Rhiannon. If dogs were a part of human society, then humans, (which I believe we were, emotionally, intellectually, and physically, if not socially or culturally) would have formed an emotional bond with them.

S slumpystones
slumpystones Mar 28, 2007 12:20:20
Replying to PMM

The bond could have grown from the dog's side first - dog is taken into the human 'pack', and as all dog owners know, they have to be put in their place, so they are aware of their position within the pack. Naturally, dogs display the same behaviour patterns in the wild as they do at home, rolling on the back to show submission, being extra-friendly with the pack leaders, and that behaviour could have been misconstrued as affection by the humans.

Plus there is the fact that a human would feel pretty superior having tamed a wolf, and a good hunting dog would be valued highly.