A History of Dogs and Cats
Have you ever looked at your dog and wondered, “How did you get that face”? Or maybe you see their floppy ears, or silly tongue, or funny little tummy and you are just curious as to how they came to be. Well, many breeds of dogs have some very unique and interesting stories. You know the Coton de Tulear? You can thank pirates for them! No really, their ancestors were the Bichon Tenerifes that pirates (yes pirates!) would commonly bring along on their various expeditions. Known for their good company, playfulness and affectionate demeanor, they were the perfect companions for a long trip at sea. One day, as the winds howled and ocean swelled, a storm caused a shipwreck off the coast of Madagascar. Luckily some of the dogs on board were able to swim to the shore for safety. Once there, they began mating with other native dogs. Fast forward a few generations and the Coton de Telear as we know today was born (Cotonclub.org). Pretty cool!
Pugs have an interesting history as well. Originating in china, the breed was coveted by the wealthy elites and royalty. You could even say pugs are royal themselves! Their famous forehead wrinkles are not there by chance. Breeders in China would actually breed them specifically for their wrinkles, until they most accurately resembled the Chinese character for “prince” (王) . So, next time you see a pug walking down the street you might want to kneel and kiss their paw, its only right to show proper respect to a Prince or Princess! (nationalpurebreddogday.com).
Don’t forget our furry feline friends! Cats in Ancient Egypt were considered sacred animals. When a household cat died, it was tradition for the family to shave their eyebrows in a display of mourning. The cats were then mummified, an expensive process that not even a lot of humans were able to afford. Cats more important than humans? Sounds familiar ;) The Egyptians really did love their cats, and we should be grateful for that as every modern breed of domesticated cat can be traced to the African Wildcat the Egyptians owned (History Channel). Meow about that, pretty interesting stuff huh?
Welll, no matter what breed you have, be it canine, feline, and whatever else. Denver Pro Pet sitting is more than happy to care for them. Schedule an appointment for a free Meet & Greet with one of our excellent sitters and feel relief knowing your loved ones are in good hands.
Written by Denver Pro Pet Sitting Service Manager, Jasmine Novack.