I have just returned from a short trip to Rome. Of course the main tourist sights were on the menu but I could not help but look out for local dogs... well anything doggy!
This man was begging on the bridge over on to the Tiber island. I don't think I've ever seen anyone begging with 4 dogs before! Part of me is always sceptical that money given will be used to buy alcohol or drugs, but these four appeared calm and happy. It got me thinking about how close a relationship with a dog must be if you have lost your job, family and your home! But this is not a recent phenomenon.
There was evidence all over Rome that thousands of years ago people had affectionate relationships with their dogs. When you go to the trouble of having a marble statue commissioned of yourself, it is interesting that dogs feature quite frequently in these ancient works of art.
Dogs have been man's friend since time began. Not just recently, not just in ancient Rome, but way, way back to when humans lived in caves. They feature in our folklore and our history since time began.
Despite the change in human lifestyles over our history, the change from living in caves, to mud huts, to high rise city flats - dogs have changed and adapted to live with us.
We think we are the clever ones.....
This man was begging on the bridge over on to the Tiber island. I don't think I've ever seen anyone begging with 4 dogs before! Part of me is always sceptical that money given will be used to buy alcohol or drugs, but these four appeared calm and happy. It got me thinking about how close a relationship with a dog must be if you have lost your job, family and your home! But this is not a recent phenomenon.
There was evidence all over Rome that thousands of years ago people had affectionate relationships with their dogs. When you go to the trouble of having a marble statue commissioned of yourself, it is interesting that dogs feature quite frequently in these ancient works of art.
Dogs have been man's friend since time began. Not just recently, not just in ancient Rome, but way, way back to when humans lived in caves. They feature in our folklore and our history since time began.
Despite the change in human lifestyles over our history, the change from living in caves, to mud huts, to high rise city flats - dogs have changed and adapted to live with us. We think we are the clever ones.....
