EDITOR’S NOTE

Ever wondered why we have such a close relationship with our pets? In general, it seems ours is a pet-loving culture – we stroke, cuddle, cultivate and enjoy all manner of creatures – from the fur-kind to the feathered, and even water denizens.

Researchers spend a lot of time exploring this human-animal interaction. But the concept might have been laughable not too long ago when animals were there for purely utilitarian purposes like guarding the premises or catching pests. While, by and large, they don’t have to do that anymore, why are they still sleeping in our homes, eating our food and why do we grieve for them when they pass on?

For one, when we name them, they become individuals, not things. Another, it seems our empathy with animals evolved over the millennials into what is now a desire for pets. Yup, it appears that pet ownership is a basic part of our genetic code.

John Bradshaw, an authority on the relationship between humans and animals wrote “The Animals Among Us” back in 2017. In it, he debunked the notion that keeping a pet can benefit the owner’s health. It seems there are a couple of problems with these claims.

For one, there are a similar number of studies that suggest that pets have no or even a slight negative impact on health. Another, pet owners don’t necessarily live any longer than those who have never even entertained the notion of having an animal living under the same roof.

The latest theory thrown into the exchange suggests genetics: That genes that promote pet-keeping may be unique to humans. But they are not universal. Somewhere in the past some societies or individuals, thrived due to an instinctive rapport with animals. Pet-keeping is an intrinsic part of what makes us, us (humans).