Many of us have a four-legged companion to run up and great us with a happily wagging tail when we come home.

It's not uncommon. In fact, it's almost an expected part of society now. But have you ever wondered how long ago families started adopting dogs as pets?

According to this Associated Press report, there is now reason to believe that domesticated dogs were a big part of human life as far back as maybe 10,000 years ago. OK, maybe that's not *quite* caveman time, but it's interesting to think about the side-by-side evolution of people and dogs, isn't it?

Here's a link to the report. Warning, it is not all pleasant--dogs were not only pets in these ancient societies.

--Danielle Capriato
DCapriato@News-Herald.com