Would it be more right to consider animals we have charge over friends or "pets"?!
In western present day society it seems we have an erroneous mentality of ownership instead of stewardship!. "Pets" unfortunately denotes property and our intended use for them instead of their being our friends of equal value!. Shouldn't we strive to see ourselves as guardians of their welfare instead of being owners!?
Do you agree with such statements and how do we go about influencing a cultural shift in societies general perception towards animals!?Www@FoodAQ@Com
Do you agree with such statements and how do we go about influencing a cultural shift in societies general perception towards animals!?Www@FoodAQ@Com
Answers:
I refer to my cat as my "companion animal!." Okay, most of the time I call him my "four-legged fur baby!."
The word "pet" perpetuates an attitude of "owner"ship over companion animals, which is speciesist!. By using the term "companion animal," you're not only ceasing to contribute to that speciesism, but speaking out that your companion animal is more than just a posession - (s)he's a part of your life, and a kind-of "person" in your family!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
The word "pet" perpetuates an attitude of "owner"ship over companion animals, which is speciesist!. By using the term "companion animal," you're not only ceasing to contribute to that speciesism, but speaking out that your companion animal is more than just a posession - (s)he's a part of your life, and a kind-of "person" in your family!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
Animal companions just sounds funny!.
I agree that the term pet has negative connotations, but I'm falling back on using the term, because for me, that's not what it means!. Anyone who knows me knows that our "pets" are part of our family!.
Our latest is a rescue dog!. Leila was originally adopted out at 10 weeks old!. She was returned when she was almost 7!. That is incomprehensible to me!. That person or family obviously had a different way of looking at it!. But I'm sure, for awhile, they loved her, because it is absolutely impossible not to!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
I agree that the term pet has negative connotations, but I'm falling back on using the term, because for me, that's not what it means!. Anyone who knows me knows that our "pets" are part of our family!.
Our latest is a rescue dog!. Leila was originally adopted out at 10 weeks old!. She was returned when she was almost 7!. That is incomprehensible to me!. That person or family obviously had a different way of looking at it!. But I'm sure, for awhile, they loved her, because it is absolutely impossible not to!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
Yes; I think language doesn't just reflect our beliefs about animals but also helps to shape them!. There is actually a campaign called The Guardian Campaign:
http://www!.guardiancampaign!.org/campaign!.!.!.
It promotes the use of the term "guardian" instead of "owner" when referring to pets!. I don't think the word "pet" is bad, but "owner" suggests that animals are property and not living, feeling beings!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
http://www!.guardiancampaign!.org/campaign!.!.!.
It promotes the use of the term "guardian" instead of "owner" when referring to pets!. I don't think the word "pet" is bad, but "owner" suggests that animals are property and not living, feeling beings!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
Depends on the relationship!. If the animal is looked after and restricted, even for its own good, its a pet!. If it is a wild creature that has developed a relationship with you while maintaining its freedom and ability to care for itself independent of your efforts, Than its a friend!. This of course assumes you consider the terms mutually exclusive!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
I think each individual looks at it differently!. Back in my teens I had a couple of Black Labs and while most of the time I thought of them as friends, there was still that part of me that knew they were pets and it was my responsibility to teach them "right and wrong" with regards to human interaction!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
Looking for the animals point of view;
I think to dogs we are their pack - so family really,
I think to cats we are their staff - unpaid servants at their beck and call, who's sole purpose in life is to make sure they live comfortable, pampered and well fed lives!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
I think to dogs we are their pack - so family really,
I think to cats we are their staff - unpaid servants at their beck and call, who's sole purpose in life is to make sure they live comfortable, pampered and well fed lives!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
Pets ARE friends, but because they depend upon us for survival, I think the word has to carry a sense of responsibility and ownership with it!.
But they're certainly both, always have been for me!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
But they're certainly both, always have been for me!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
I will certainly behave as a "guardian of welfare" when pets have the ability to think, decide, and pay for their own!.
Until then, I call the shots!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
Until then, I call the shots!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
I think a lot of people derive their sense of ownership from the Bible, in Genesis, when God gives Adam charge of all the animals, telling him to rule them kindly as the more intelligent creature!.
Friends of equal value, would have to be of the same mental capacity, in my opinion!. The best thing we can do for animals is do our best to first do no harm, and to protect them from outside unnecessary harms like pollution and loss of habitat!.
It seems a little silly and obsessive, to me, to be worried about what we're calling our animals!. Seriously, I don't think my cat cares what I'm being called in references to his existance!. I doubt being called his owner is impeding on his rights, or making life somehow more difficult for him!.
I don't think having pets is evil in anyway!. The animals are well taken care of!. I don't see why I should have to use a PC term "Guardian of their welfare"!.!.!.!.I PAID for my cat, I pay for his vet's visits, his shots, any medical care he needs, his food, his litter!.!.!.I bathe him, clean up after him, give him catnip and treats, play with him, he basically rules the roost!.!.!.he jumps on my chest every morning when I first show signs of waking, and painfully stands there demanding to be petted and alas, every time, I appease him!.!.!.I do these things despite the fact that he didnt come out of my vagina, nor is he a human being!.!.!.!.but I practically treat him as one!. He has more rights in my house than my boyfriend does (I would NEVER clean up excrement had my boyfriend accidentally dragged it across the floor after defecating)!.!.!.and somehow being his owner is a bad thing!? I paid for the luxury and privilege of treating him like a king, and somehow I'm HIS owner!? Sounds more like HE owns ME!
Words are just words!. Its actions that count!.
To all those giving me thumbs down, seriously, get over yourself!. You obviously care more about silly names and animals, than you do human beings!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
Friends of equal value, would have to be of the same mental capacity, in my opinion!. The best thing we can do for animals is do our best to first do no harm, and to protect them from outside unnecessary harms like pollution and loss of habitat!.
It seems a little silly and obsessive, to me, to be worried about what we're calling our animals!. Seriously, I don't think my cat cares what I'm being called in references to his existance!. I doubt being called his owner is impeding on his rights, or making life somehow more difficult for him!.
I don't think having pets is evil in anyway!. The animals are well taken care of!. I don't see why I should have to use a PC term "Guardian of their welfare"!.!.!.!.I PAID for my cat, I pay for his vet's visits, his shots, any medical care he needs, his food, his litter!.!.!.I bathe him, clean up after him, give him catnip and treats, play with him, he basically rules the roost!.!.!.he jumps on my chest every morning when I first show signs of waking, and painfully stands there demanding to be petted and alas, every time, I appease him!.!.!.I do these things despite the fact that he didnt come out of my vagina, nor is he a human being!.!.!.!.but I practically treat him as one!. He has more rights in my house than my boyfriend does (I would NEVER clean up excrement had my boyfriend accidentally dragged it across the floor after defecating)!.!.!.and somehow being his owner is a bad thing!? I paid for the luxury and privilege of treating him like a king, and somehow I'm HIS owner!? Sounds more like HE owns ME!
Words are just words!. Its actions that count!.
To all those giving me thumbs down, seriously, get over yourself!. You obviously care more about silly names and animals, than you do human beings!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
I agree!. I consider my dog my friend!.Www@FoodAQ@Com