Posted on 01/24/2012 7:04:21 PM PST by SunkenCiv
Scientists believe that two 33,000-year-old skulls unearthed in digs in Siberia and Belgium show dogs were domesticated long before any other animal, such as sheep, cows or goats.
Researchers from the University of Arizona said the skulls had shorter snouts and wider jaws than undomesticated animals such as wolves, which use their longer snouts and narrower jaws to help them hunt.
That suggested the dogs had been kept for protection and companionship by our ancient ancestors -- just as they are today.
The researchers think dogs could have been the first species of animals to be domesticated by humans, long before farm animals were bred for their meat and skins.
Recent DNA research hinted that all dogs came from a single wolf-like ancestor -- but the Altai find may prove that isn't so.
This offers a possible explanation for why breeds such as pugs and huskies look so different, despite being the same species.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
I guess it’s because a dog will conveniently eat your homework and other tasks that you should have done, while a dang ole woman will point out you never did it and call you a lazy so-and-so, even if the teacher/boss is right there. Else, a woman would be a man’s best friend.
It's their ability to smell, in particular to smell approaching humans, that make them so useful. If you've ever walked past a homeless person that hasn't showered for a few days, you know that humans are particularly smelly in their natural state. For most hunting animals, this would be a negative because it alerts prey. For humans, it's like the rattle on a rattlesnake. It's a warning to get out of the way of Earth's most deadly killer. Dogs serve as first alerts in tribal warfare of an impending surprise attack. Inferior skilled dogs were killed off along with the tribes that owned them.
When my Belgian Sheepdog (Groenendael) boy was a puppy- first day home- I took him into the woods to go potty. He walked around a bit, then suddenly, took that cute, needle nose of his and plunged it into some pine needles and pulled out a baby rabbit. I would have NEVER have guessed a bunny to be there. But he did, right away. Bunny was dead instantly.
Then how can they explain these:
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| GGG managers are SunkenCiv, StayAt HomeMother & Ernest_at_the_Beach | |
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Thanks Red Badger. The ping didn't go through the first try. |
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This guy can wing it solo....:)
The Dog’s Diary
8:00 am - Dog food! My favorite thing!
9:30 am - A car ride! My favorite thing!
9:40 am - A walk in the park! My favorite thing!
10:30 am - Got rubbed and petted! My favorite thing!
12:00 pm - Milk bones! My favorite thing!
1:00 pm - Played in the yard! My favorite thing!
3:00 pm - Wagged my tail! My favorite thing!
5:00 pm - Dinner! My favorite thing!
7:00 pm - Got to play ball! My favorite thing!
8:00 pm - Wow! Watched TV with the people! My favorite thing!
11:00 pm - Sleeping on the bed! My favorite thing!
The Cat’s Diary
Day 983 of My Captivity
My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects. They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other inmates and I are fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets. Although I make my contempt for the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in order to keep up my strength.
The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape. In an attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the carpet. Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their feet. I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly demonstrates my capabilities. However, they merely made condescending comments about what a “good little hunter” I am. Bastards!
There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight. I was placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event. However, I could hear the noises and smell the food. I overheard that my confinement was due to the power of “allergies.” I must learn what this means, and how to use it to my advantage.
Today I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one of my tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking. I must try this again tomorrow, but at the top of the stairs.
I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches. The dog receives special privileges. He is regularly released, and seems to be more than willing to return. He is obviously retarded. The bird must be an informant. I observe him communicate with the guards regularly. I am certain that he reports my every move. My captors have arranged protective custody for him in an elevated cell, so he is safe. For now ...
beautiful dogs!
In ancient Egypt, cats were worshipped, idolized and honored by being mummified with their owners.
Cats have never forgotten this.
There is a story told by the American Indians that the Great Spirit decided to divide the worlds of animal and man so he gathered all living beings on a great plain and drew a line in the dirt. On one side of the line stood man——on the other side stood all of the animals. And that line began to open up into a great crevasse-and at the last moment before it became unreachable, dog leapt over and stood by man. ~~Unknown
Brilliant! I am LOL with tears rolling down.
Sorry, not me. That has been knocking around since pretty much the dawn of the internet. As I have a cat and a dog, it all rings pretty true to me. Sir Cat has deigned to grace me with his august presence on my footstool......
The cats lived off her body for 10 years?
They say that a dog with the worst sense of smell (for a dog) has an infinitely better sense of smell than a human, which of course I believe. It’s amazing to think about them being able to recognize discrete smells the way they do. I played a little bit with tracking years ago with one of my goldens and it was a piece of cake to train her. The tracking itself wasn’t hard, just getting her to understand what I wanted her to do, but once she did she had no problem following a track.
Thank you! They are a joy!
Thanks mikec256!
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