Remember that pair of guppies that you used to rear in an old peanut butter jar, or that hamster that brought you hours of sheer delight?

Technology-laden toys such as gameboys and Tamagotchi can never replace the fuzzy feeling that one feels by being connected with a treasured pet. The invaluable role that pets play in society cannot be ignored. Companion animals - be it ornamental fish, the faithful dog or the gentle cat - have been instrumental in enriching the lives of many around the world.

In China and Japan, fish were being kept as ornamental additions to the aesthetic surroundings, particularly as pool fish. Historical records show that the culture of colored carp was quite widespread during the Sung Dynasty (960-1279), with the introduction of ornamental fish to Japan around 1500. Goldfish were introduced to England between 1611 and 1691. From around 1730 onwards there was a steady stream of reported instances of fish being kept, with the spread of the goldfish first into Holland then into Germany.

There are countless historical representations of pets as part of our daily lives. Think of the chivalric knight's tomb with his dog at his feet as a symbol of fidelity, or the magnificent medieval manuscripts filled with dogs, cats and birds. Throughout the ages, portraits of royalty have depicted Kings and Queens with their favourite pets.

The ship's cat on Captain Scott's expedition to the South Pole in 1912 was the first of its species to land and overwinter in Antartica. It had its own blanket, hammock and pillow.

No matter how it first developed, one thing is certain: the powerful bond between people and their pet animals is entirely mutually beneficial. Simply watching a child playing with a pet dog or cat, or an elderly person enjoying the companionship of an animal underscores the mutual benefits and interdependence of the relationship. Indeed, the relationship between humans and animals is far deeper and more rewarding than we can ever imagine!