How Humans and Dogs Became Best Friends

June 8th is National Best Friends Day, and since dogs' reputation as humans' best friend has been well earned throughout history, this special day is cause for celebration. In recognition, let's look at some of memorable moments in the history of the human and dog relationship.

Between 18,000 and 32,000 Years Ago

The first dogs are domesticated. Archaeological evidence in Europe provides clues to the origins of the earliest domesticated pups.

675–725 B.C.

Experts estimate this is when The Odyssey was written. This legendary epic tale includes the touching story of Argos, Odysseus's dog, who waits twenty years for his master to return home.

1908

A New York City bakery starts to sell individually packaged dog biscuits called Maltoids. Three years later, the name changes to the one recognized today — Milk-Bone®

1925

Teams of sled dogs rush to deliver diphtheria antitoxin to residents of Nome, Alaska. The dogs' heroic efforts save countless lives and their journey later inspires the Iditarod sled dog race.

1928

A female German Shepherd named Buddy becomes the first American guide dog. On her first day in New York, she successfully guides a person across a dangerously busy street.

1944

A Yorkshire Terrier named Smoky becomes the first therapy dog. She works in army hospitals and on the battlefields of the South Pacific.

2017

Nearly 70 million dogs are kept as pets in the United States. Over 50 percent of pet parents say they purchase holiday gifts for their dogs, and over half of pet parents share their bed with their dog. Dogs are undeniably seen as the epitome of a "best friend."

What moments in your history with your dog were important to the development of your best friendship? Share in the comments below!

Photo Credit #1: "Puppy Love" by smlp.co.uk via Flickr. License info.

Photo Credit #2: "Classic 'Beware Of Dog' Mosaic, Pompeii" by Tyler Bell via Flickr. License info.

Photo Credit #3: "thulden_odysseus_recognised_his_dog" by Art Gallery ErgsArt - by ErgSap via Flickr. License info.

Photo Credit #4: "Go, go, go!" by Markus Trienke via Flickr. License info.

Photo Credit #5: "Great Pyrenees Service Dog" by Jean via Flickr. License info.

Photo Credit #6: "My little baby" by S 'Lucy Sky' Diamond-Jones via Flickr. License info.

Photo Credit #7: "puppies christmas english bulldog" by Thomas Nilsson via Flickr. License info.