It cannot be said for sure, but it's likely that in the beginning, as now, it was probably a primitive youngster who brought home the first dog, saying to Mom and Dad, "He followed me. Can we keep him?"

We can imagine the parents' reactions as the child approached the campfire in the night with the wary animal-half frightened, half hopeful-following a few steps behind, wondering what the adults would do when they saw him. Perhaps they rushed for their weapons and snatched up the child to save it from the beast. And only when the dog did not run away, but looked up at them through eyes glowing with friendliness, did they realize that their little one had brought them a new companion.

Thus did mankind find a willing servant, a trusty guardian, and a sturdy worker. But most of all, a pet, a playmate, a pal.