Steve G wrote:
That's a very good point; we are indeed "guardians" not "owners" of
our
pets;

Well I am a guardian and an owner; also a companion, fellow traveller
and more besides.


we have chosen to look after them,

And they had no choice in the matter. It is correct to say that you
'own' a cat, at least in part because it cannot (at least for indoor
cats) exercise its right to not be 'owned'. It cannot leave without
the owner's say so.

Fair enough. But I think it was a nice reminder that, while we may make the
decision to own the cats without their say so, the fact is, they aren't mere
possesions, but living creatures that deserve respect and responsible care.
Though you're right in that those who feel that way will behave as such no
matter what you call them, and those that don't, won't.

Ann

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http://www.angelfire.com/ca/bewtifulfreak