Need help from the wordsmiths out there
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| I feel the same way. My hubby swore he would never say he was Oliver's "dad". Well, about 2 weeks after we brought him home hubby walks in the door after work and shouts "Oliver, daddy's home"! Hubby was smitten I guess. |
| I use guardian |
pfffft! She already knows, she's Mady's mommy. She knows it, Mady knows it, we all know it. When I tell Mady to "go wake up mommy!" or "go get mommy!" or "we're going to get mommy!" she knows exactly what it means. Kim just finds it embarrassing in public.  |
| You could look to see what your fellow countryman David Suzuki has to say. He is a world famous animal rights activist with some very interesting ideas about how humans should view and interact with animals from pets to farm animals through to wild animals. I don't remember whether or not he suggests how we should refer to our companion animals but he has some interesting and for some confronting views. |
I'd steer clear of the word "guardian". Playing right into the AR peoples' hands with that word. I do own my dogs. I paid for them....in one way or another. And I have papers to prove that I own them. Even tho' they all think I'm Mom & Jim is Dad!  |
ChSheepdogs wrote: I'd steer clear of the word "guardian". Playing right into the AR peoples' hands with that word. I do own my dogs. I paid for them....in one way or another. And I have papers to prove that I own them. Even tho' they all think I'm Mom & Jim is Dad! Yes, be grateful you can still legally own dogs so you have the ability to protect them. And know in your own heart that they own you  Kristine |
| It is tough......I too would avoid guardian. Let's see, you didn't bear her so she's not your child...... You didn't marry her so she's not your mate....... You didn't hire her so she's not your employee/service provider....... You love her.......so is she your lover? You cherish her friendship......so is she your friend? She is part of your life......... so is she your companion? She senses your moods......so is she your psychologist? From her persective you are her pack.......so are you her pack mate? I guess she is............your dog. That pretty well sums it up. |
| She could be your "mate" if you came to live in Aus. |
| If you have a rescue dog I would take a look at your contract, because many times, legally, you are closer to a guardian than an owner. |
| I understand your struggle with how to define your relationship with Mady. I have the same struggle. There is the legal terminology (own/owner) but that seems to put our beloved pups on par with any inanimate object we happen to have. It doesn't do our dogs justice, IMHO, when we are talking about a relationship with something that we love so much, and relies upon us so heavily. I, too, used to ridicule those who called themselves "doggy parents". As you can see from my forum name, I am now the object of my own ridicule.  Laurie and Oscar |
| sounds like you've all had some very amazing human best friends. reason being, i've always believed my dogs were the "best friends" one could ever hope to have. the term owner should only be used for it's legal necessity.  |
| I always considered it an adoption. I don't own two dogs...I adopted them both. Simon knows who is Mom and who is Dad...just ask him. Gar on the other hand is a little slow on the uptake. |
| I don't really have anything useful to add here with any political, legal or social significance, but...it got me thinking.... I'm not my dog's "owner" so much as their: hairdresser chef( waitress too!) hazmat team (anal glands...enough said) medic(for the minor emergencies) maid personal shopper masseuse personal trainer(or maybe its "tour guide"...our walks aren't all that athletic ) groundskeeper( sounds better than "poo patroler") press agent (I feel like this whenever a stranger approaches up with the inevitable sheepie-questions ) |
| ^^^^^ Good point. Add valet, maid, house keeper, beautician, fitness instructor, personal stylist etc. etc. I've always said I want to be reincarnated as a dog who is "owned" by someone like me.  |
| I describe all of them ..........as my furkids!!! I love them in a different way than my 2leggedkids, of course. BUT........ I worry about them, care for them, educate them, make them 'presentable',...Am bursting with pride when they make the right choices, and am humbled when they don't. HOWEVER~~~My furkids, ... DON'T ask for money,Don't complain about my cooking or choice of foods, Don't ask for my car, Don't yell at me over punishment and take their punishments, knowing I am always right!! AND.........I have yet to see my 2leggeds shake their tusches out of joy and excitement at a first glimps of ME~~~~ |
| Amanda and I sometimes refer to Izzie as our "third roommate"....you know the one that does not contribute monetarily But..she makes our lives so much better and the house is always emptier without her. |
| Significant Other. Housemate (or Roommate). Or just "My sheepie." It's a term of endearment to me, should be good enough for anyone else who doesn't really matter and to whom I don't owe an explanation. Legally I'm his owner. Or Joan is. Perhaps NEOESR is, but I can't see a judge enforcing it since I can't imagine a rescue would go to superior court to get back the dog over some perceived infraction that WE might be committing. |
| I like 'my sheepie'. At the dog park I have found myself calling her 'my darling', 'sweetheart' etc. Many eyes roll at me. I didn't start this thread even remotely thinking of legalities, was just thinking that I don't feel like I 'own' her and was looking for some lovely words to use. Of course I know that I do own her legally, and am responsible for her and all of that stuff. And she is responsible for making sure I get off my butt and get fresh air. Oh and for making sure I don't eat ALL the cheese. |
HeatherRWM wrote: If you have a rescue dog I would take a look at your contract, because many times, legally, you are closer to a guardian than an owner. I like that word but I don't like that it doesn't come with the benefits that "guardian" should. I wish that dogs were not considered property and we they were legally considered like dependent children-- not just for tax purposes but for how we're legally allowed to protect them. |
Ron wrote: Legally I'm his owner. Or Joan is. Perhaps NEOESR is, but I can't see a judge enforcing it since I can't imagine a rescue would go to superior court to get back the dog over some perceived infraction that WE might be committing. If I found out that an adopter was abusing a dog that my rescue adopted out I would do everything I could to get that do back in our possession. That being said I don't know how a dog adoption contract would hold up in court. |
ButtersStotch wrote: I like that word but I don't like that it doesn't come with the benefits that "guardian" should. I wish that dogs were not considered property and we they were legally considered like dependent children-- not just for tax purposes but for how we're legally allowed to protect them. I totally agree. |
I call Finn my "Little Furry Husband"  |
HeatherRWM wrote: f you have a rescue dog I would take a look at your contract, because many times, legally, you are closer to a guardian than an owner. Wow, thanks for the heads up. It clearly pays to read all contracts very carefully and know what you are signing. HeatherRWM wrote: Ron wrote: Legally I'm his owner. Or Joan is. Perhaps NEOESR is, but I can't see a judge enforcing it since I can't imagine a rescue would go to superior court to get back the dog over some perceived infraction that WE might be committing. If I found out that an adopter was abusing a dog that my rescue adopted out I would do everything I could to get that do back in our possession. That being said I don't know how a dog adoption contract would hold up in court. I can think of at least two breeders who enforced a clause in their contract that essentially said "if there's a problem, the dog comes back to me". In one case the dog was being neglected, breeder drove up, waved contract around and was given the dog back. Let's face it - if a dog is being neglected, how badly do they want the dog anyway? Second case owners tried to quietly give the dog to some rescue, breeder found out and immediately set off to get the dog back. Fortunately the rescue was cooperative or I expect she would have sued them. In neither case was the contract put to the test in courts. Some times just having that clause in there is enough. I'm not so sure how well it would hold up in court either. Technically, whether purchased from a rescue or a breeder, it is still your dog and no one should arbitratrarily have the right to demand the dog back. However, if the dog is voluntarily given up, or in such a state as would constitute abuse or neglect under law, then the take back clause should be enforcable. But who knows? Not something you hope to ever have to put to the test. Kristine |
Donner's Mom wrote: I call Finn my "Little Furry Husband" And Marty doesn't object to this...?  Kristine |
Mad Dog wrote: Donner's Mom wrote: I call Finn my "Little Furry Husband" And Marty doesn't object to this...? Kristine Nah, I don't think Marty hears half of what I say either!! |
| We don't feel that we own Chauncey or any other dog that we've loved. Once they come through our door they are family and are afforded the benefits of our family. We are mom and dad and Ryan, our 33 year old son is Chaunce's big brother ( Ryan doesn't buy into this quite as much ) .And for us getting an addition to our family is a lifetime commitment. We were renter's by choice until the home-owner needed to move in to her house due to a failed relationship. We decided that we'd never be in that position again and in the late 80's purchased our home in less that 20 days ( rare at the time ). But giving up our beloved Jake ( Lab ) was not an option. I do understand that not everyone can purchase a home or relocate and keep their loved companion but hopefully they will contact rescue so that their loved one can be placed in a home that will be sensitive of their needs. |
| We've been mom and dad, brother and sister to all our pets. They've been granddogs along the way too so to us they are just family. |
ravenmoonart wrote: I don't really have anything useful to add here with any political, legal or social significance, but...it got me thinking.... I'm not my dog's "owner" so much as their: hairdresser chef( waitress too!) hazmat team (anal glands...enough said) medic(for the minor emergencies) maid personal shopper masseuse personal trainer(or maybe its "tour guide"...our walks aren't all that athletic ) groundskeeper( sounds better than "poo patroler") press agent (I feel like this whenever a stranger approaches up with the inevitable sheepie-questions ) |
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