Who Saved Who?

Folklore offers the concept of the familiar, a magical animal spirit or supernatural entity that would assist witches in their practice of magic. Over the years, the role of domesticated animals such as cats, birds, dogs, small reptiles, and rodents has evolved from a spiritual guide to companion or pet. The relationship between pet and human, however, is not without a little magic. Magical thinking aside, scientists are intrigued by our attachments to our pets. Pets have practical uses too, working animals such as service ponies and therapy dogs aid humans with physical and emotional differences. Dogs, mousers, falcons, and ferrets are employed by humans for hunting purposes. Pigeons, horses, dolphins and even elephants have been utilized in times of war, and let’s not forget Bubbles and other show-biz animals. Work animals aside, probably the most profound human-pet interactions are emotional ones. Why are people so obsessed with their dogs? How did cats come to dominate the internet?

Who Saved Who? is an exhibition that explores the bond between humans and their pets that reaches beyond the general use of animals to a strange and magical human-animal attachment. A mix of curated, professional artworks (including renowned artist William Wegman) and images selected from a community open call for creative expressions of beloved pets, this exhibition illustrates the universal bond between humans and their familiars.

Credit: Exhibition overview from museum website.