In the evolution of civilization, there are some distinct landmarks. Among the most remarkable was shifting to agricultural life from that of hunter-gatherers': a giant leap; men became settler which in course of time, created the ownership of land: [ the root of all complications.]
Status of the dog also changed accordingly with the lifestyle of man. So long the pack of dogs moved with their tribe. Later on, some of them happened to belong to different individual masters, while some became stray dogs. But whether domesticated or stray, all of them were loyal by nature and adjusted in the community. A sense of duty 'to guard' and 'to protect' their masters' cause flowed in the DNA of their blood (no matter whether for individual or for the community).
In the old days, keeping dogs as a pet was popular mostly in European countries first and not in Asian countries, at least in India. In old picture or movie, it was very common to see a white sophisticated woman and a man with a suit, boot, tie, hat, stick and holding a dog in the chain on street or park or a dog peeping its head from the window of a car. The royal family of Britain were very much fond of the dog as a pet and still maintaining the tradition. Queen Elizabeth-11 has favorite four pugs.
In Europe, people could not take a shower throughout the cold season. There was no sunshine. People suffered from skin diseases. Dogs were kept to clean their bodies by licking; and relieved them from worms, itching and skin diseases. Dogs used to give the comfort of warmth and relief by licking with a soft tongue.
From the English literature, we can know how old was this tradition.
As the British set up colonies in various places, they influenced their culture also in those territories. But only wealthy and fancy people used to keep dogs as pets. In India, still, now, a number of stray dogs are random compared to pet dogs. These stray dogs survive on the left-over food from their neighborhood; they are night-guards, more loyal than salaried human beings.
In my neighborhood of India, I have noticed from the balcony the dogs seems lying idly but started howling and chased after, if any stranger, especially hawker passed through the lane. I am amazed to notice their sixth sense. The same type of behaviour, if any dog from another zone come near to them. They are very much territorial.
Anyway, my focus of this article is how the people,s perception has changed the status of the dog. So far the dog has been humanized; what will be next?
Will they be "divinized" also in the coming days? Egyptian sculpture portrayed god with the head of a dog and (also with the head of an eagle.)
Is civilization taking us backwards. ?
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