Man’s Best Friend: Meaning and Origin

There’s a comforting yet strange feeling that comes over you when you look into the eyes of someone you trust completely. The parts of you that others don’t see are suddenly all out on the table — and the weirdest part is that you don’t feel uncomfortable. No shame. No hesitation. You’re in a bubble of acceptance with someone who only wants the best for you. Humans like this exist and we make them our best friends. But dogs are much better at loving you unconditionally! Understand the meaning and origin of ‘man’s best friend’ and learn the different examples of everyday use.

Possible Origins of ‘Man’s Best Friend’

The most accepted theory for the origins of ‘man’s best friend’ is that wolves became acquainted with men to be close to food scraps and waste. As men started to build campsites, they each started getting closer to each other. Eventually, the domestication of dogs started. This was especially needed when men began the agricultural lifestyle.

The mutual, unwritten agreement was that dogs were to help out with the herds, hunting, and/or guarding. Their pay was food and shelter. A long-term relationship was born, and nowadays it continues in sometimes similar and sometimes completely different ways. Even though the long-term contract is forgotten sometimes, the friendship that this companionship shifted to continues today. Long ago, people managed a different lifestyle but nevertheless, they kept their besties with them.

Examples of Everyday Use

There are so many instances when dogs fulfill the role of ‘man’s best friend.’ A best friend is someone who loves you and readily forgives your mistakes. It’s someone who desires the best for you, and who celebrates when you’re happy. ‘Man’s best friend’ can be used at any time of day and nearly every instance when referring to the loving, accepting, and affectionate nature of dogs. For example:

• When your dog greets you in the morning with a wagging tail, helping you get excited to start a new day.
• When your trained pup delivers the medication you need or a bit of sugar to get your glucose levels up.
• When you’re upset and your dog instinctively knows to comfort you.
• When there’s a stranger at the door and your dog moves into protective mode.
• When your dog learns to accept and protect new babies in the home, be they children, puppies, or kittens.

What is a Useful Way to Illustrate the Phrase – ‘Man’s Best Friend’

A guide dog is one of the best examples of ‘man’s best friend.’ This type of service dog has to go through a lot of training and remains steadfast through it all, developing new skills while recognizing the importance of caring for its owner. It can take from months to years! Even though they can easily adapt to busy streets, they must also learn what not to do (this is referred to as intelligence disobedience).

They learn to avoid walking in the wrong direction even if the owner insists, for example. These pups avoid hazardous materials on the road, they learn to avoid stairs if at all possible, and they must always be thinking of what the best, least dangerous route is. Their main goal is to avoid obstacles and get to their final destination without harm, quietly guiding the human alongside them.

A Real-Life Example

There is a powerful emotional bond that exists between humans and dogs. Sometimes, it seems as though dogs can understand our language. They are not limited to comprehending the spoken word and they appear to access something beyond the physical realm to get people’s attention when they feel something is not quite right.

You hear so many stories of how a dog is able to sense a seizure. They get uneasy right before somebody gets a stroke, but what triggers that sensitivity in them? Researchers are unsure if their heightened sense of smell has something to do with it or if they are so perceptive, they can pick up on the most subtle changes in behavior. Either way, this incredible ability dogs have to help their human counterparts makes them the perfect companions for people, whether they’re dealing with a serious condition like a seizure disorder or whether they just need a best friend.

If you’re a dog owner, you know that when you come home from work, tired (and maybe somewhat angry from exhaustion), when you open the door, it’s bliss. Your dog is there wagging their tail and showing a lot of affection. Inevitably, you place your hand on their head and start talking, knowing that the only replies you get are more signals of affection. That is the pure, unconditional love that makes dogs ‘man’s best friend.’

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Lisjatina/Shutterstock.com