A newly discovered chapter in the Book of Genesis has provided the answer to the question: where do pets come from?

Adam said: "Lord, when I was in the garden, you walked with me every day. Now I don't see you anymore. I am lonely here, and it's difficult for me to remember how much you love me."

And God said: "No problem! I will create a companion that will be with you for ever and who will be a reflection of my love for you, so you will love me. Regardless of how selfish, childish or unlovable you might be, this new companion will accept you as you are and will love you as I do, in spite of yourself."

And God created a new animal. And God was pleased. And the new animal was pleased to be with Adam and wagged his tail. And Adam said "Lord, I have already named all the animals in the Kingdom and I cannot think of a name for this new animal." And God said " No problem! Because I have created this new animal to be a reflection of my love for you, his name will be a reflection of my own name, and you will call him DOG."

And Dog lived with Adam and was a companion to him and loved him. And Adam comforted. And God was pleased. And dog was contented and wagged his tail. And after a while it came to pass that Adam's guardian angel came to the Lord and said "Lord, Adam has become filled with pride. He struts and preens like a peacock and he believes he is worthy of adoration. Dog has, indeed, taught him that he is loved, but perhaps too well."

And the Lord said: "No problem. I will create for him a companion who will be with him for ever and will see him as he is. This companion will remind him of his limitations, so he will know that he is not always worthy of adoration." And God created CAT to be a companion to Adam. And when Adam gazed into Cat's eyes, he was reminded that he was not the supreme being. And Adam learnt humility. And God was pleased. And Adam was greatly improved. And Dog was happy.

And the cat didn't give a s*** one way or the other.