Like many others, I’m not completely comfortable with “mom” and “dad” but those are the terms we use to refer to ourselves – especially with the dogs (e.g. “Go find Dad.”) To me, “owners” doesn’t convey the loving relationship we have with the dogs, and “guardians” seems a bit too contrived. For now, we’ll stick with Mom and Dad.

Talking about the act of owning a living being definitely makes me uncomfortable, but when I start trying to figure out the appropriate verbs and adjectives, other words start to not work so well. If I am the pet’s guardian, then do I guard it? If I am its parent, it can really bother parents of human children, and I do not think of dogs who live with me as children. If I am my dog’s steward, then should I show it a wine list, or what? It is a tough one.

For me, there is no wrong answer — I don’t let what anyone calls their pet bother me — and I still talk about owning my dogs… only because it is the option that bothers me the least.

If you’re reading that baby talk is A VERY BAD THING TO DO, you need to find a new book. Science shows us that high pitched, fast tones can be very useful in training to “speed your dog up” (like when you’re calling him). So don’t let anyone tell you baby talk is a bad idea. Tell them it’s a training technique.

If Kelly is that old, maybe you should call her Mommy.

If your friend marries her boyfriend, will she adopt the dog?

I have a friend who refers to Honey as her “God Dog” (say that ten times fast). It’s a very nice thought to have someone else interested in her welfare growing up.

Lori, you just brought up something very interesting with your last sentence. I wonder if those of us who feel uncomfortable with using the “m” word and the “d” word have more ambivalent feelings about our own parents? Hmmmmm.

It’s interesting how our ideas change over time. Sort of like what houndstooth said about our relationships evolving.

My mom has started to refer to herself as grandma and she’s not even a dog person. Of course, I’m 45 so by now she’s figured out not to expect grandchildren.

I like the use of partner. That’s a really good one.

Hmmm, if the relationship is evolving, do the names evolve too?

Oooh, thank you Vicky. It’s so nice of you to think of me. I have to admit, however, “stylish” is the last thing anyone thinks of where I’m concerned.

To anyone reading this, check out Vicky’s site at Paw Print City Times. It’s one of the most attractive blogs I’ve ever seen and it’s full of interesting posts.