Gu Kun asked Jim MacLachlan:

P.S. I am especially interested in the pioneers' relationship with animals - their own and those in the wild. ?

Jim MacLachlan I can't think of any that focus on the subject. A lot of the histories will mention them, but often it's what isn't mentioned that is most revealing. While a few animals were treated & thought of as we would today, most were thought of as a resource. They weren't thought to have 'souls' or to be able to feel as we do, so were often treated in ways we'd consider criminally harsh today. Of course, their lives were also very harsh, so they didn't have much sympathy to spare. I've noticed a tremendous change in just my lifetime, so it's pretty hard for people today, especially city folks, to imagine. You might try asking Janny Wurts. She's active on GR & very knowledgeable about such things.

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