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Domestication is an evolutionary strategy that has ensured that many species will exist for as long as humans will. Assuming humans don't wipe themselves out,

Domestication is an evolutionary strategy that has ensured that many species will exist for as long as humans will. Assuming humans don't wipe themselves out, dogs and cats and many other species will outlive the Earth itself. If humans are the most successful species on the planet, dogs are second. Dogs as an entire species would not exist at all without humans. If dogs hadn't co-evolved with humans, we'd only have wolves. It's more than just simple domestication like cats and goats, dogs evolved into a new species alongside early humans. They aren't simply wild animals that tolerate humans, this is an entire species specifically evolved to be the ideal companion to humans. The entire point and purpose of this species is only to be companions to humans, that's what they evolved to be. By and large dogs need human companionship and suffer without it. While the relationship between humans and dogs is very symbiotic, I think dogs get the better end of the deal. All their needs and wants as a species are taken care of by humans, the species will exist forever, and all the dogs have to do is learn the best way to beg for belly rubs. We have dogs because dogs want us to have them.

WarOnPrivacy 2y ago
> Domestication is an evolutionary strategy that has ensured that many species will exist for as long as humans will. I agree. Outcomes always matter. Not exclusively but they're up there. > Dogs as an entire species would not exist at all without humans. If dogs hadn't co-evolved with humans, we'd only have wolves. True. And I appreciate the existence of dogs. I also appreciate what they gave up to be. One notion doesn't quash the other. The two viewpoints coexist and make the relationship complex. I should clarify that my perspective doesn't demand that something must happen or that some thing must not be. At most, it suggests 1) that we value the independence of animals - to our benefit as well - and 2) it's okay to morn a little for what dogs gave up to be dogs. The worst you'll get from #2 is finding more reasons to treat dogs well.
leptons 2y ago
>If humans are the most successful species on the planet, dogs are second. Second likely goes to a bacterium species, hell they might even be first. There are 10x more bacteria cells in your body than there are human cells.

WarOnPrivacy 2y ago

> Domestication is an evolutionary strategy that has ensured that many species will exist for as long as humans will. I agree. Outcomes always matter. Not exclusively but they're up there. > Dogs as an entire species would not exist at all without humans. If dogs hadn't co-evolved with humans, we'd only have wolves. True. And I appreciate the existence of dogs. I also appreciate what they gave up to be. One notion doesn't quash the other. The two viewpoints coexist and make the relationship complex. I should clarify that my perspective doesn't demand that something must happen or that some thing must not be. At most, it suggests 1) that we value the independence of animals - to our benefit as well - and 2) it's okay to morn a little for what dogs gave up to be dogs. The worst you'll get from #2 is finding more reasons to treat dogs well.

leptons 2y ago

>If humans are the most successful species on the planet, dogs are second. Second likely goes to a bacterium species, hell they might even be first. There are 10x more bacteria cells in your body than there are human cells.