Humans likely started domesticating dogs around 30,000 years ago. The oldest known intentional domestic dog burial site is in Bonn-Oberkassel Germany, dated 14,200 years ago. A man, a woman, and two dogs rest together.
Ancient Greeks made mosaic memorials and touching poetic epitaphs for their dogs.
“Epitaph to a Dog” is inscribed on the memorial for Lord Byron’s Landseer Newfoundland, Boatswain. The eulogy preceding the poem was written by his friend John Hobhouse and is perfect in its simplicity.
When Lou restored some of my great-grandfather’s photos, two of his dogs are featured. A lab mix and an American bull terrier mix. I’ve included my favorite image below. The bull terrier posing near the Lorain Steel Plant rail-yard.
It has been half a year without sweet Stanley.
It is vital for me to tell you that he was my soulmate.
There is no other word for it. Domestication and symbiosis are too focused on the outcome of obedience and usefulness in a relationship.
We were simply meant to trust and love each other.
There is no timeline for my grief. I have the archeological and historical records to back me up on this.
The love of dogs, bred into my bones.
