Too Long; Didn't Read
Humans have had special bonds with animals since before the rise of civilization. Pets such as dogs provide companionship, protection, and have even been shown to strengthen the immune systems of the human babies that grow up alongside them. <a href="https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2018/02/ancient-pet-puppy-oberkassel-stone-age-dog/" target="_blank">Neolithic hunter-gatherers were sometimes buried with their dogs, indicating a connection that was clearly emotionally significant.</a> However, recent trends in urbanization and an aging global population have challenged conventional pet ownership.