Aristopeters already existed in Ancient Egypt. Dogs and cats were very, very dearly loved. The Egyptians cared for them and spoiled them, more or less as we aristoparents do today.
Dogs were already man's best friend, the most faithful companion in the home and also the best hunting companion. Cats, meanwhile, began as effective hunters of mice, snakes, and other unwanted animals in homes and granaries. But thanks to this, they won the affection and sympathy of farmers and became another member of the household.
Pets lived close to their owners and received all kinds of care during their earthly lives (as revealed by the study of animal mummies): shiny fur and strong bones reveal continuous, healthy, and balanced nutrition.
The celebrated Greek historian Herodotus of Halicarnassus visited Egypt in the mid-fifth century BC and stated that “domestic animals were abundant.” He himself testified to the great devastation that the death of a pet caused among the members of a household. So much so that when a cat died, family members plucked out their eyebrows as a sign of mourning. When a dog died, they shaved their entire bodies, including their heads. Can you imagine?
Since images were attributed magical and religious power in pharaonic Egypt, when their pets died, the Egyptians had themselves depicted alongside them on the walls of their tombs, on funerary stelae, and on sarcophagi. It was believed that this would allow them to remain happily together in the Afterlife. In fact, from the New Kingdom onward (1552 BC), cats were depicted more frequently on the walls of their owners' tombs. Judging by the images, this animal became the favorite pet of some members of the royal family, such as Queen Tiye, Princess Satamun, and Prince Thutmose, firstborn son of Amenhotep III, who commissioned a stone sarcophagus with beautiful reliefs and inscriptions for his beloved cat Tamit.
Moreover, when they died, some pets were carefully mummified. The corpse was placed on a special embalming table so that its internal organs could be removed. Once removed, the viscera were cleaned and rinsed with aromatic substances, then placed back inside the abdominal cavity. Beforehand, the body had been dehydrated with natron (a type of salt) and filled with myrrh, cinnamon, and other products. Next, ointments based on resins, gums, and perfumed oils were applied, and the body was wrapped in linen bandages. Once the process was complete, the embalmed pet was placed inside a coffin or sarcophagus and buried near those who had been its owners.
Since embalming was considerably expensive, having a pet mummified indicated that it had been extremely loved and important to its owner.
Although practices have changed, there is no doubt that the current need to keep our pets close, even after they are gone, is something that we have inherited from the ancient Egyptians.
If you would like to learn more about this fascinating subject, don't miss the following video: