No problem, Paulette, I call my dogs (see original post) whatever I choose, also. Best friend, companion, pet, family member. And they are, for me. No one has any right to change that Freedom of Speech and make laws that force us to classify our pets as anything human-like. The original post(s) were about the term pet being taken as derogatory or demeaning. All a matter of semantics, and, no one hates labeling more than I do. Pat had suggested using family member rather than pet. This sounds a bit AR-ish when used in a general manner. Also, I am NOT the guardian of my pets; I am their owner. I guard and protect them, but not because the law says I must, but, because that is what I choose to do with my private property. PETA be damned! Paula, 310 days and counting Home of BIS, BISS, Multi-Group Winning, AKC JAM/AOE, Intern'l & Am CH, Silver Grand Champion Asgard Harley Davidson, HT, PT, CGC, TC, HIC, OFA CHIC #64047 (Hips, Elbows, Cardiac, & Thyroid),.1st male GSD Grand Champion. 2010 #1 GSD in California, Lifetime #1 GSD in Michigan, 2010 #1 GSD male in USA (AKC GCH Stats), 2011 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show Invitee. 2010-2011-Lifetime AKC Eukanuba invitee. ---------- Original Message ---------- Msg: #7 in digest From: <cnnpmm2@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> Subject: Sorry -- "Freedom of Speech" Date: Sun, 4 Dec 2011 13:44:36 -0500 Sorry folks. (Especially Sharon.) Before posting what I did below, I meant to change the subject line to "Freedom of Speech." PaulETTE ----- Original Message ----- From: <cnnpmm2@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> To: <showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Sunday, December 04, 2011 1:34 PM Subject: [ SHOWGSD-L ] Re: Rainbow Bridge Paula writes: "Thanks, Pat, but the term "family member" sounds too much like an AR thing." Not picking on Paula, but I get tired of people saying stuff like this. I'll refer to my dogs as anything I'd like. AR be damned. My dogs ARE family members -- always have been and always will be. PaulETTE McGuirt, GSDCA Member Wellborn-Allemande German Shepherds Qui Me Amat, Amat et Canem Meam ----- Original Message ----- From: "Paula M. Cooke" <pcooke212@xxxxxxxxxxx> To: <showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Sunday, December 04, 2011 10:19 AM Subject: [ SHOWGSD-L ] Re: Rainbow Bridge Thanks, Pat, but the term "family member" sounds too much like an AR thing. IMHO, pets are a wonderful thing to be. The term, to me, is well above livestock, which many other animals are, and way too many dogs are, though that is what poor-temperamented and unhealthy dogs must be. Paula, 310 days and counting Home of BIS, BISS, Multi-Group Winning, AKC JAM/AOE, Intern'l & Am CH, Silver Grand Champion Asgard Harley Davidson, HT, PT, CGC, TC, HIC, OFA CHIC #64047 (Hips, Elbows, Cardiac, & Thyroid),.1st male GSD Grand Champion. 2010 #1 GSD in California, Lifetime #1 GSD in Michigan, 2010 #1 GSD male in USA (AKC GCH Stats), 2011 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show Invitee. 2010-2011-Lifetime AKC Eukanuba invitee. ---------- Original Message ---------- From: Pat Evans <patsgsdpups@xxxxxxxxx> To: "pcooke212@xxxxxxxxxxx" <pcooke212@xxxxxxxxxxx> Cc: "showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx" <showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Subject: Re: [ SHOWGSD-L ] Re: Rainbow Bridge Date: Sun, 4 Dec 2011 07:17:54 -0600 I am not sure pet is the right term. Cherished family member? Good post Paula! Pat Evans ============================================================================ POST is Copyrighted 2011. All material remains the property of the original author and of GSD Communication, Inc. NO REPRODUCTIONS or FORWARDS of any kind are permitted without prior permission of the original author AND of the Showgsd-l Management. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Each Author is responsible for the content of his/her post. This group and its administrators are not responsible for the comments or opinions expressed in any post. ALL PERSONS ARE ON NOTICE THAT THE FORWARDING, REPRODUCTION OR USE IN ANY MANNER OF ANY MATERIAL WHICH APPEARS ON SHOWGSD-L WITHOUT THE EXPRESS PERMISSION OF ALL PARTIES TO THE POST AND THE LIST MANAGEMENT IS EXPRESSLY FORBIDDEN, AND IS A VIOLATION OF LAW. VIOLATORS OF THIS PROHIBITION WILL BE PROSECUTED. For assistance, please contact the List Management at admin@xxxxxxxxxxx VISIT OUR WEBSITE - http://showgsd.org SUBSCRIPTION:http://showgsd.org/mail.html NATIONAL BLOG - http://gsdnational.blogspot.com/ ============================================================================