Not that dogs and cats never provided companionship for people before. But that at some point excessive sentimental attachment to dogs, especially lapdogs was even stigmatised. Especially when such dogs were associated with old maids. Women too lonely to get a man or even have sex with their own man, hence accusations of bestiality. Conversely speaking, dog ownership might even be stigmatised for fear of witchcraft.
That actually happened in some parts of Japan where people dread dog owners and alleged fox owners because they don’t want to be possessed by their pets. (Some people are still afraid of dogs especially whenever they enter someone’s place or some bad experience*.) There’s also that news report about a Ghanaian wizard who ‘cursed’ footballer Cristiano Ronaldo with his dogs.
So there’s that. I’m beginning to think that even if the Coppingers were somewhat wrong, they’re also onto something especially when it comes to not only ownership practises but also ecology and social attitudes. Even if they’re wrong, there’s still substance to the idea that dogs domesticated themselves. Especially when it comes to scavenging for waste which wolves are also currently** doing.
*Same for cats.
**Some say that dogs were domesticated twice.
fynm 