[MyPemCharlie]

Legally, we do want to keep the terminology of pets as "property" though of course most of us also consider our pets as companions, best friends, etc. This seemingly insignificant terminology is another battling point between the Animal Rights and the Animal Welfare groups. The AR folks want the terminology changed from "Owner" to "Guardian", which from a legal standpoint "guardianship" essentially gives the dog "human rights". If your pet were diagnosed with a terminal illness, having "rights" could take away your current option to chose treatment or humane euthanasia. "Guardian" sounds warm and fuzzy, but it is part of the bigger AR philosophy that humans should not own any other animal.