Pets are a very special part of our lives today, but how did the domestication of animals, birds and fish begin? This brief history examines the origins of some of our favorite friends to find out who kept the first pets.

Dogs
About 40 million years ago, an animal named the Miacis lived in an area of the world called the Eocene epoch. The animal was most likely part of a larger group of animals and lived in a den. The Miacis is also considered to be the ancestor of the wolf, bear, fox and cat. After many years of evolution, the shape of the animal changed and about 1 million years ago developed into the more well know form that we know today. Many researchers believe that the dog is evolved from the wolf about 14,000 years ago. Actual remains date back 12,000 years to Israel, but it cannot be determined if the animal was a dog or wolf. The first domestic dogs were not intended to be pets, but a useful part of society. They were valued for their hunting and herding skills. It is not known exactly how dogs became pets, however, rock art dating back to the Stone Age (about 10,000 BC) does show humans and dogs together. In the Middle Ages dogs were used as status symbols and bred for specific features. It is about this time that there was a significant increase in in every shape and size. The dog continues to be a favorite pet tradition.

Cats
Also descending from the ancient Miacis, the cat is said to have been domesticated during ancient Egyptian times. Cats were highly regarded and considered to be sacred. Many mummified remains have been found in tombs and also buried with pharaohs. Early on wild cats were attracted to people as a way to get food and in return people encouraged the cats to stay in order to rid their premises of mice and rats. It was considered good luck to have many cats. Cats were also common in China around 500 BC. They were a popular gift for emporers and nobility. Cats were eventually traded in the Middle East and found their way to other countries via ships. During the Middle Ages, cats were thought to be the devil's creatures and associated with witchcraft. The cats were hated and treated with cruelty. By the 1600's, cats once again gained popularity due to their hunting skills. They were brought to the New World to control the mice and rat populations on farms and in homes. Today, passion and affection, along with a little wildness, make the cat a special companion.

Birds
Birds have been kept as pets for over 4000 years. In ancient Egyptian tombs, birds were depicted as a part of every- day life. Hawks were trained to hunt, pigeons carried messages, and pharaohs kept exotic birds in a royal zoo. The ancient Greeks kept Mynah birds and parakeets in expensive cages for entertainment purposes. The birds were considered a status symbol in social circles. The ancient Romans enjoyed talking birds and some were used to announce guests. Until recent times having a bird as a pet was reserved only for the wealthy.

Fish
According to archeological evidence, the Sumerians were the first culture to keep fish almost 4000 years ago. The Egyptians and the Romans kept fish tanks, but only for a supply of food. The Chinese were the first to breed fish for ornamental purposes and routinely raised carp for use in pools and ponds. A most popular fish, the goldfish, was introduced in England during the 1600's and quickly spread across Europe. It wasn't until the 1950"s in America that fish keeping became a widespread hobby, during which time the goldfish bowl made its debut. Today, with sophisticated aquarium equipment and hardy fish varieties, it's much easier to enjoy fish as pets.