As previously stated, I'm not a complete animal-rights activist. In fact, I have even decided that I will be referred to as a "3/4 animal-rights activist". The idea that in a perfect world there is no interaction with animals is simply a scary thought.
Four thousand plus years ago, that would have been a mildly okay idea. After all, that was when pets weren't really domesticated. They were still wild animals that humans decided it would be fun to keep around and own. Now, on the other hand, there is a totally different story. Humans have adapted dogs and cats into breeds that just wouldn't make it in the wild.
For example, what use would a herding dog be if humans were just supposed to herd on their own? I'm sure that some of these dogs know how to hunt, but their natural urges would be suspended. It's the same with lapdogs, but some of those don't even have hunting-type bodies or fur. Have you seen the Puli? Those dreadlocks wouldn't be able to stand a type of forest environment.
It's the same type of thing with cats. The Minskin is a breed of cat with ridiculously short legs and no fur. I don't know what type of environment that cat would survive in. Some of them don't even have dachshund bodies, which are long and made for badgers. Even if they did, those badgers live in areas that can get pretty cold in the winter, which you would need fur to get through.
So sorry militant vegans, but a world without pets is a world where many dogs and cats would die.
