Are we “pet parents” or “pet guardians”?

[lhczth]

I own my dogs even if I call myself mom.

[Lilie]

I spent my young adult life raising a child to be independant so she could one day get the hec out of my house and support herself. I am her mom, her parent and I supect one day when I'm old and wearing diapers, her ward.

I own my animals. I support them, I am responsible for them both legally and financially. That role doesn't change through out their lives.

I do call myself Mom to Hondo, but only because it wouldn't be politically correct to say to Hondo at Petsmart "You want Alpha Bitch to buy this for you?"

I really don't think I'd care much for hubby telling Hondo, "Come on boy, the Bitch is home!"

[jakeandrenee]

I am an owner....

[Chris Wild]

We often refer to ourselves as mom and dad and the dogs as kids. But bottom line, especially from a legal standpoint, is we are owners.

[AgileGSD]

Originally Posted by atravis

If I may,

I don't have a problem with people looking at their dogs a children, or calling themselves pet parents PROVIDED said dogs are otherwise properly trained and not a menace.

However, what I do not much care for, is this "furbaby" attitude that implies ALL dogs should be snuggly house pets to be sheltered and coddled at all times.

I have to agree. The shift from "owning" pets to being "guardians" of them seems harmless enough but it isn't good for people who would like to continue to have pets in their life and it isn't always good for the pets either. Dogs shouldn't be expected to behave as though they understand right from wrong in a human's world or that they have the same social needs as a human child.

Having worked at a doggy daycare for years, I was surprised to find that people's "furbabies" are very often only temporary substitutes for real babies. Pet parents love their "furbaby", spoil their "furbaby" and treat their "furbaby" like a real child...until they have a real child. Then they can't have a dog with a baby, of course. Or the baby crawled on top of the dog, the dog growled so they are "forced" to put the dog to sleep or take the dog to the shelter. And often if the dog kept his home it was with a big change of lisfestyle. No more daycare or classes or regular grooming appointments or quality food or vacation with their owners because that time and money now has to go to the baby. If they are lucky, these former "furkids" at least get to remain house dogs. And these are dogs with owners who spent a lot of time, effort and money keeping their dog amused, happy and healthy. The problem was that they never really wanted a dog though, they wanted a kid.

Of course I am not saying that is the case with all dog owners. IME it is fairly common with owners who have the "furbaby" mentality though, which is a common type of owner to run into at doggy daycare.

So do you think Von Stephanitz rolls in his grave when people refer to their GSDs as "furbabies"?

[LaRen616]

Originally Posted by AgileGSD

I have to agree. The shift from "owning" pets to being "guardians" of them seems harmless enough but it isn't good for people who would like to continue to have pets in their life and it isn't always good for the pets either. Dogs shouldn't be expected to behave as though they understand right from wrong in a human's world or that they have the same social needs as a human child.

Having worked at a doggy daycare for years, I was surprised to find that people's "furbabies" are very often only temporary substitutes for real babies. Pet parents love their "furbaby", spoil their "furbaby" and treat their "furbaby" like a real child...until they have a real child. Then they can't have a dog with a baby, of course. Or the baby crawled on top of the dog, the dog growled so they are "forced" to put the dog to sleep or take the dog to the shelter. And often if the dog kept his home it was with a big change of lisfestyle. No more daycare or classes or regular grooming appointments or quality food or vacation with their owners because that time and money now has to go to the baby. If they are lucky, these former "furkids" at least get to remain house dogs. And these are dogs with owners who spent a lot of time, effort and money keeping their dog amused, happy and healthy. The problem was that they never really wanted a dog though, they wanted a kid.

Of course I am not saying that is the case with all dog owners. IME it is fairly common with owners who have the "furbaby" mentality though, which is a common type of owner to run into at doggy daycare.

So do you think Von Stephanitz rolls in his grave when people refer to their GSDs as "furbabies"?

Sin and the cats are my furbabies, I do not want kids, I do not like kids, the thought of them makes me sick I am getting myself spayed asap so I dont run into the problem of having one. I understand that they are animals, but I love them as if I gave birth to them myself. I dont care if people find it insane, I find it insane that people have 2 legged beasts running around.

[Lilie]

Originally Posted by AgileGSD

.

Having worked at a doggy daycare for years, I was surprised to find that people's "furbabies" are very often only temporary substitutes for real babies. Pet parents love their "furbaby", spoil their "furbaby" and treat their "furbaby" like a real child...until they have a real child.

My parents are in their 70's. They have replaced their children / grand children with their poodle mix. It makes them happy and no harm is done. They love the dog and the dog is good for them. BUT! It makes my skin boil when my mom says to me, "Hon, Holly is looking at you. She's asking you to take her outside. Make sure you don't over heat her."

[BlackPuppy]

In Europe, at least with the Dutch Shepherds (conformation lines), we are the "Boss".

If they have a rescue, they will put up, "Dog needs new boss..."

I call myself "Mom", but say I am the "Owner".

[kiya]

I don't have children, I refer to my animals as my babies. I have learned so much over the years that I also have realized how bad it is to try to humanize them. I know how important it is to properly train my dogs. I will call myself an "owner" but I will never treat my animals like objects that can be discarded or tossed aside. It is my responsibility to properly care for them, for their whole life whether I purchased, rescued or adopted them.

[kiya]

Originally Posted by BlackPuppy

In Europe, at least with the Dutch Shepherds (conformation lines), we are the "Boss".

If they have a rescue, they will put up, "Dog needs new boss..."

.

I really like that "Boss" it fits. Although sometimes I don't always like my boss.