Are you a dog "owner"—or a dog "guardian"?

[DarkPhenyx]

http://slate.msn.com/id/2096577/

Last month, In Defense of Animals, a California-based animal rights organization, sent me some materials about its "Guardian Campaign." A polite letter complimented me on my most recent book, then requested that I use the term "guardian" rather than "owner" in future writings about dogs.

<SNIP>

IDA's letter proudly pointed out that San Francisco; West Hollywood; Berkeley, Calif.; Boulder, Colo.; Amherst, Mass., and the state of Rhode Island have already enacted ordinances changing owners into guardians. (Some of those jurisdictions have also embraced the animal-rights movement's other language crusade, changing "pets" into "companion animals.")

Although IDA cited these cities and state as evidence that the notion of "guardian" is spreading, to me it suggests the opposite: Its successes are confined to left-wing pockets. I'll be impressed when Kansas City takes up the idea.

[joycep]

1. I am owned by a dog

No kidding!

[DarkPhenyx]

2. I think that's what most of us find out.

Since I am pretty much a big two legged dog myself I find out I'm "Pack Leader" more than "owner or guardian". Dosen't hurt that I am one of those folks who think that, while they can be horribly even frighteningly bright, they still think like dogs/wolves. I tend to act like one when dealing with them.

[RebelOne]

7. Yep, my dog owns me and she has me trained well.

[meow mix]

3. ima canine hairstylist..

socal dogs need thier hair done often!
beats the hell out of working for ppl though =)

[OneBlueSky]

4. I've never felt that I "owned" my dogs . . .

I always refer to them as companions . . . I think I feel more like a foster parent than anything . . . I teach them, feed them, and protect them, and they in turn provide unlimited and unconditional love and affection . . . seems like a good deal to me . . . :)

[seasat]

5. Lol, How about a dog parent?

My lil' monster behaves like a spoiled child. Of course I spoil her. She's pretty good to me too. My dog is currently up to 19 fruit rat kills (that I know of), loves people, and will always warn me if someone comes near the house. You couldn't ask for a better child. Of course I'm biased. Now, if I can just teach her to dig weeds in the back yard instead of random holes, I'd be a real proud parent.:7

[Kolesar]

6. My dog guards me!

She growls and adopts aggressive postures when other dogs come near me. That is a shame, because then I can't go pet the other dogs.