Comments on: A Dog Is Not A Child Or A Possession

By: Clowie

Clowie — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 09:11:30 +0000

I like the word partner. I am not a furry child, but I am a valued member of the family.

By: Groovy Goldendoodles

Groovy Goldendoodles — Tue, 21 Jul 2015 14:50:00 +0000

I’m a Doodle Mom – why do I call myself that? Because I take care of my Boys, my Doodles, my Buddies, my furry friends.

By: Jen Gabbard

Jen Gabbard — Sun, 19 Jul 2015 21:48:24 +0000

I think the most interesting thing about the topic of using certain terms for pet ownership is that it became an issue at all. I couldn’t agree more with your conclusion; when we start to worry so much about what others are calling themselves perhaps it’s time to look at ourselves and figure out if there’s a more productive way to spend our time.

By: DZ Dogs

DZ Dogs — Sun, 19 Jul 2015 21:30:43 +0000

Wonderful post. 🙂 I call myself a dog mom because I don’t have any human kids, hubby and I decided we probably never will. I think the whole mom/dad thing for us started out as a joke. We got tired of answering people about “when are you going to have kids?” I started telling people “I already have 4!” Just to get a chuckle, two cats, two dogs.
I don’t like saying that I “own” my dogs, they are not property, they are my family, friends, and definitely partners. I am also pack leader a.k.a. “mom” I create rules, boundaries, meet their emotional, physical, and learning needs. And expect good behavior from them when out in public.
I’m proud of my dogs and their behavior and if I’m not then we work to fix it. I like the term “partner” because we have strong relationships with each other, and I think “partner” is a great description for inter-species relationships. But what I don’t like is being berated over the head for not pushing my “kids” out of my uterus. LoL 🙂

By: Rumpydog

Rumpydog — Fri, 17 Jul 2015 20:16:15 +0000

I am not Rumpy’s mother. I am the pack leader. I agree that words matter, and it seems for many people today parenting means giving in to a spoiled child’s demands. It would be irresponsible of me to act that way with a dog like Rumpy. Rumpy is a happy, sweet, loving dog. He is also headstrong and manipulative.

I think of my relationship with my companion animals as symbiotic. We need each other. They need me to buy food, open cans, freshen water bowls and scoop litter boxes. I need them to remind me that there is more to life than work, that humans are not the only living creatures on this earth, and that love exists (I especially need that one on days I have to remove kids from their caregivers).

A parent’s responsibility is to teach and nurture a child. Companion animals and I teach and nurture each other.

By: Elizabeth

Elizabeth — Fri, 17 Jul 2015 17:24:19 +0000

In reply to Pamela.

I have always found this conversation interesting and often find myself (silently) chuckling when I read a blog post where the writer has gone on a tyrannical rant on why they call their dogs their children and why they have every right to do so. I honestly do not care what people call their dogs; pets, kids, companions, fur babies, hairy little monsters… To each their own. I often call my dogs my “fur babies” and have proudly said that I am a “dog mom”, but when I am asked how many children I have my answer is, only one, and his name is Christopher. I do not have three kids who’s names are Chris, Luna, and Penny. I have one child and two dogs. To me, there is a difference. In fact there is a huge difference that I experience on a daily basis on why I don’t classify my dogs as children. An example might be right now as I type this, my two hairy girls are currently sleeping on the floor and I am trying to breastfeed my baby to sleep. Sorry if that was TMI, but that was the first example that popped up in my head.
I will say that I really dislike it when folks go out of their way to shame individuals for how they choose to define their relationship with their dogs. I think the type of relationship and its value is more important than a defining word like “child or pet”.

By: Emma

Emma — Fri, 17 Jul 2015 15:18:24 +0000

We do not like the owner thing at all. For us, we are Mom’s girls, her babies, her best friends, her family. Yes, we are all adopted, hard to believe I know. Mom always wanted a boat load of kids and has none, so we have replaced that concept and are fur kids. She tries to do the best she can for us and get us everything we need or could want. It makes her happy to see us thrive. We don’t care what people call themselves really, but as you say, it is important they care for their pets propery.

By: Beth | Daily Dog Tag

Beth | Daily Dog Tag — Fri, 17 Jul 2015 14:44:08 +0000

I’ve never understood what all the fuss is about truthfully. I think of my own dogs as companions and members of the family, but I’ve never called them my kids. (Even before I had kids.) I love them dearly. I certainly can understand people referring to their dogs as their kids. It doesn’t affect me in the least. Like you, what matters to me is if the dogs are well loved and given proper care. It is tricky on my blog because I feature dogs who live with their moms and dads and ones who have owners. So far I haven’t had anyone complain because I used the wrong terminology when referring to their relationship with their dogs. I think “pet” is a lovely word. It conjures up a special relationship between two beings. Perhaps because I’m not a writer, semantics don’t matter that much to me.

By: Monika & Sam

Monika & Sam — Fri, 17 Jul 2015 14:44:00 +0000

I consider myself “owned by a lovely (sub) standard poodle” and I’m ok with that concept. 🙂 My buddy, my pal…who enriches my life and whoever he encounters daily.

By: Elaine

Elaine — Fri, 17 Jul 2015 14:29:27 +0000

I couldn’t have said it better than your statement,
“The only thing I care about is whether you’re meeting your dog’s physical and emotional needs and building a relationship that’s loving, stimulating, and enjoyable for both of you.”
Well done, Pamela! 🙂