People have been keeping animals as pets since at least the beginning of recorded history and the relationship between humans and their non-human friends seems to have remained more or less the same through the centuries. Dogs, in particular, have always been regarded as especially significant companions, while the status of cats has varied in certain ages.
From ancient Mesopotamia to the modern era, however, people have cherished their pets and, with certain civilizations – notably ancient Egypt – have regarded their canine, feline, or other companions as family members. Even though pets may have been treated differently at different times, the connection one has to one’s pet today is essentially the same as it was thousands of years ago.
