>>46654Here's an interesting read since you brought it up.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Origin_of_the_domestic_dogIt is common among domestication of wild animals to take an infant or prepubescent animal and imprint on them. The grooming of these young animals would certainly help on imprinting. The animals like us because we can relieve pain as simple as itchiness and give pleasure like scratching sensitive areas like that one spot your dog has that causes it to shake its leg. Petting an animal is known to have a calming effect and release of brain chemicals that can help your health.
Another interesting read:
http://www.healthfitnessrevolution.com/top-10-health-benefits-owning-cat/The other thing about my original post is the emotion of cuteness. It's understandable why we find babies and children cute and get the right brain chemicals for protection of our own young. What makes us feel the same way about cute cats, dogs, and every other domesticated animal? If it were a pure instinct to protect the tribal young then we would view animals more as tools instead of the same emotion of joy that we view a cute baby as a cute animal. Is this psychological evolution to benefit us with domestic animals that was not present before domestication?
