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Pet Keeping
The domestic aspect of pet keeping has attracted numerous attentions with many
emerging with differing ideas and views. Tuan asserts that the practice of keeping pets like dogs
have demonstrated some level of dominance or supremacy of human over these animals (100). In
this context, Tuan asserts that the practice is a utilitarian one with intertwined significances
which emerge from control as well as dominance (par. 1). However, recent discoveries posit that
pet keeping is more of companionship and affection than it was initially purposed. By assessing
and studying both sides of pet keeping, it makes it possible to highlight the best role for pets.
Tuan mentions that the utilitarian aspect of pet keeping was majorly practiced through
hunting, pest control, security, and shepherding functions (103). Hunting was very important
because it is a substantial contribution to livelihood through the provision of meals and therefore
the control and dominance of pets is very important in this aspect. In addition, dogs used for
hunting before the emergence of robust industrialization played a key role in sports as it was
observed in the 14
th
century in England where farm laborers, as well as servants, could play this
type of game (Tuan 103). In this case, the use of these dogs generated a lot of pleasure to man in
such specialized games and sports. The modern use of pets is of less exploitation since these
dogs have been detached and alienated from their practical roles when compared with the roles
they used to perform under the dominance and control of man or owner.
