For thousands of years man has had a relationship animals. Ancient civilizations domesticated wolves, eventually creating the dog although they were not the only animal to be domesticated at that time. Large wild felines were slowly introduced to domestication as well, creating that moody and demanding pet known as the house cat. Over the years many other animals have crossed the paths of the human race as loving pets, heroes and even murderers. Here in the United States we have even created bizarre laws still sitting in the dusty corners of law libraries.
Ancient Egypt:
The Ancient Egyptians were very well known for their love of their pets. When a beloved pet died the Egyptians would have them mummified and saved in jars so they could be buried with their owners when they passed away. Unfortunately if the pet owner died first, the pet met an untimely death so the pet owner would not have to spend one moment in the after life without their pet.
The most popular pet among the Ancient Egyptians was the cat. Cats were considered spiritual and even links to the after life. Most families in Ancient Egypt kept a cat in their home. When the family cat died, it was an extremely devastating experience. It was common place for the family members to shave their eyebrows to show everyone they were grieving over the loss of mittens.
Tsavo Lions:
In 1898 Kenya became the setting of the ultimate horror story. A railroad was being built across the Savannah with hundreds of men toiling in the hot sun day in and day out. In March of 1898 two men went missing and a search party was issued out to find them. Rumors began to swirl that the men had been dragged away by something evil and killed.
Eventually the men were found, torn apart. After a more lengthy search, more bodies had been discovered. It was evident that these men had been attached by a wild animal. The brutality of the injuries were consistent with a lion attach. The men on the railroad decided to hunt the lion, desperate to end the carnage. Before the hunt ended several more attacks happened and the death toll climbed. When the two Lions responsible were found and killed. The man in charge of the hunt saved the skulls and the pelts of both animals.
Even though the Lions were both male, neither one had a mane and were thinner than a typical male lion. They named the killer Lions the Tsavo Lions after the River that ran alongside the railroad, Tsavo translated into "the place of slaughter" by a local tribe.
It was claimed in 1898 that the Lions had claimed the lives of one hundred thirty-five men. Many years later the skull and the bone marrow of both lions were tested and it was discovered that the Lions had consumed thirty-five men between the two of them.
Animals at Wartime:
It is not a secret that animals were recruited into military service. Horses, camels and Donkeys have been a major part of war time tradition, carrying brave soldiers into battle. Dogs have also been common in war, used as guards, and sent in to small holes to look for bombs and mines. In world war II pigeons were sent across enemy lines as Curriers, carrying encrypted messages tied to their legs.
Horses dogs and pigeons were not the only animals recruited to military service. Cats have been employed as spies, Rats and bats have been turned into bombs. Even Dolphins and Sean Lions have been used as sentries, and for object recovery.
Animals and the law:
It is a novelty to some to look up odd or strange laws. laws regarding animals have graced the law books for years. Here are a few examples:
In the state of Alaska, it is technically illegal to look at a moose from an Airplane
In the state of Virgina it is illegal for a chicken to lay eggs before 8am and have to stop laying eggs after 4 pm
In North Carolina it is against the law for a rabbit to race down a road
This is all a reminder that we share our strange history with our animal friends. Next time that you look into the loving eyes of your pet, know that you share more than a mutual love for cuddling. You also share a strange history.
Resources:
www.Strangefacts.com
www.listverse.com
www.weirdhistory.com
www.flavorwire.com
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