The next time your two hypoallergenic balls of fur roll over for a tummy scratch — “Stephen! After collecting DNA samples from a wide range of wolf packs and dog-show animals, a pair of American researchers have reported that the closed similarity was found in Middle Eastern animals. They have speculated that the relationship between man and lupine may have begun about 15,000 years ago, about the same time as human settlement. The researchers’ further speculate that the relationship may have been valued for the help it gave in hunting, and in protecting the community from intruders, and that dogs may have been a very early form of wealth. So, the next time your little beast is giving you the eye for being slow with the dinner bowl, remember he may be grimly contemplating what his ancestor might have done back in the day. Sign up to receive e-mail alerts on breaking news from The Edmonton Journal.

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