Senthamil Things: A Man’s Best Friend

By: Senthamil Stefi

In 1870 in a courtroom in Missouri, United States, George Graham Vest represented a farmer who was suing his neighbour for shooting his dog. Representing this client, Vest closed the trial with his statement, “The one absolutely unselfish friend that a man can have in this selfish world, the one that never deserts him and the one that never proves ungrateful or treacherous is his dog.” This phrase was than shortened to a dog being “a man’s best friend,” and that is how this phrase emerged into society.

Indisputably, dogs have been labeled as “a man’s best friend” time and time again due to their nature of loyalty and amazing sense of companionship. Though not “all” dogs are friendly by nature, their sense of loyalty remains consistent which seems to heavily lack in our human world.

Now, how did they become “a man’s best friend”? Before the 18th century, dogs were generally not kept as household pets but rather were used to aid in hunting, guarding, or work. The ones that were kept at home were very small and were labeled as “lap dogs”. They were not regarded highly by society. Beginning in the mid-1700s, the notion of dogs as nurtured and favourable household pets began to appear. Dog hospitals, dog food and many other dog essentials emerged during the 19th century. Now during recent times, it is clearly evident in our society of the western world that dogs are valued just as much as children, as terms such as “dognapper” and “dognapping” have been adapted. I guess it can be said that a dog was “always” a man’s best friend…it just took humans a long time to realize that and appreciate it.

In summary, human beings are selfish in nature… whereas dogs are some of the most self-less beings in the world that will be there for you no matter what…thus, making out to be the best depiction of what a TRUE best friend is.

dog

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