I get the point she is trying to make, and while I understand it, I think that "adpoting" is generally reserved for rehomes, older dogs, and rescues.

I don't see anything wrong with saying you "bought" a puppy. I think "buying" a puppy is absolutely fine so long as you do actually make it a member of your family and treat it as such.

:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

I totally agree. I have had this same conversation.
As for my Yorkies, 7 of them I have Adopted from a Rescue Group's, and 3 of them I have Purchased.

Ugh! I feel the same way..."IT" bothers me to no end :mad:

You know what's weird and the reason why I understand some people using these terms or words? My pregnant friend, a kind heart--sweet woman with no history of malice, kept referring to her unborn baby as "IT." and allowed people to do the same. For days I bit my lip and promised myself to keep it together (I love her, I don't want to hurt her). Finally, I did burst :eek:

I know most people don't mean anything devilish, but damage is inevitable.

No wonder I'm so confused :p English is my second language :eek:

To me...this phraseology reeks like a politican.

You can spin words and phrase things however you like...but what is it you are really saying? If you are willing to hand over a puppy/dog/whatever for cash....you are selling it.

I don't believe its the difference in phraseology that accounts for the difference in how dogs are treated or mistreated...its the difference in people. My dog will always be mine for it's life...just like my kids...that's a commitment I personally make. Not everyone makes that same commitment to their pet. Not everyone views their pet as a member of their family.

:thumbup: I agree.

What I am saying is, as long as we continue to refer to dogs, cats, rabbits (or children) as THINGS, regardless of monies being exchanged, these living, breathing, feeling beings will be seen and treated as OBJECTS.

What do we do with objects? We use and abuse objects and then we discard them, quickly and easily.

How do we refer to living things as objects? With words like, "IT", "For Sale", "Buy" and words we use when we acquire non-living things.

You're saying that if a person is willing to hand over their puppy for money, you are selling it? Yeah, agree. So will it be a sale if a person is willing to hand over their human child for money. It is a transaction, I understand that. Yes, the commitment is made by people and people are made with thoughts that were born out of words. Phraseology does make a difference.

What do you use to teach your child to respect and treat with kindness those that can't defend themselves? Words. Which words do you use? his/her teacher?

My phraseology 'reeks of a politician'? Thanks, you have no idea :D. Only I'm not running for office or selling anything, other than what most of us complaint about so often...the cruelty to animals to end. I'm offering my little, itty, bitty grain for that huge mountain that most of us wish to see one day, called: no more torture and cruelty to defenseless animals.

I'm in marketing and sales, trust me, words do make a difference. If you don't believe me ask yourself why you buy one brand of XY product and not the other. Marketing has told you what you want to buy ;) You and me and 99.9% of the world, we are not as independent in our thinking as we wish to believe, we have been conditioned with phraseology since birth.

What I would love to see is a REconditioning to allow people to see the pain and suffering of those who can't defend themselves :thumbup:

Very well said. I do understand some of the mixed feelings people have over the phases. I bought...purchased..paid for my dogs. The reality is someone bread them to sell. When someone ask, I mostly say " I got her from ******". I dont focus on the purchase but I would never say adpot because in my mind that woulde be a rehome or rescue. I will most likely adpot my next fur butt

What is important is what I did afterwards. They are my fur babies !! They are loved and cared for.

I would like to add.
I think ownership of a pet...a animal is Not something that will change soon. What must change is how we value life... Be it human or animal. To be honest I am close to being a vegetarian because it bothers me to kill an animal eat it. I can't even imagine abusing one of my pets. But I do own them, they can not earn money and provide for themselves. That is my responsibility as their owner..and a the human that loves them.

I think the "it" is sometimes used when you don't know the gender ... I Agree it is a bit insulting

I hadn't thought much about this until reading this thread. I understand everyone's feelings, but am not yet sure how I feel - need to think about it. But, and this is a little off topic, the discussion reminds me of how outraged I do get when I hear some guy refer to his better half as "THE wife". Makes me see red! Talk about treating someone as property!!

Buy a Dog ? Adopt a Dog ?
I am a writer. I agree words paint pictures. I use them myself to create the right 'feel' for my story. Professional sales people do too. Like an old Saturday Evening Post cover, a Norman Rockwell illusion, the word adopt makes us think, we are doing something selfless and honorable. Adoption conjures up a young child or animal, with no parents or home. We even feel like we should do something like provide a home, protection and maybe even love.
I prefer to use the term adopted myself but, admit I use it because it makes me feel good, and expresses how I feel about my own Yorkies. They are not just dogs to me. They are certainly more important than a thing, to me.
Adoption is both a noun and an adjective. It is a 'nice feel good word that is misused quite often. We do not legally adopt animals. We own them. They are property according to the law. That may be changing here in the USA because dogs are rarely property to pet owners today. We don't buy dogs to solely, do a job for us the way we would a dairy cow or pack mule. We want a personal relationship with our pets. Deep down I know that Fee and Buy are not the same thing. Maybe only non-profit placement agencies or non-profit breeders should use the terms Adoption and Fee, all others should use Buy, Sell and Price ? Something to think about ...............

I beleive there is a difference.

Breeders put dogs (puppies) up for adoption (with an adoption fee) Greeder put dogs (puppies) up for sale.

Now having said that, the real difference is between a breeder & a Greeder...

Interesting topic. Looking at my own usage of the two words, and the underlying beliefs they surfacely portray, I'd use adopt when referring to a legitimate rescue or shelter, save when I've literally saved a puppy from an abusive situation personally, and buy/bought when purchasing from a breeder.

Looking at the first two situations my underlying belief is that I am rescuing a dog from harm, be it death or a lifetime of neglect on a varying scale. The placement fee is minimal and easily in reach of many folks. I expect no or little support from the shelter/rescue especially over the long term. I am prepared to receive a pup that may have temperament and varying kinds of health issues over the long term.

When I buy from a breeder, I am investing a significant amount of money to secure, a dog that is purebred, healthy and an excellent example of the breed, with great temperament/character. I am buying more than the pup, I am also buying the breeder's help knowledge, and life long commitment to both her pup and to me as the new owner. I am entering into a very important relationship.

I also like other posters don't want to see the term "adopt" misused (more than it already is by questionable breeders and some out and out pupmills.

hmmmmmm questioning myself & my opinions based on another one of your postings....

Those pup ills use some pricey marketing tactics don't they?
Pulling at heart strings & confusing the uninformed...almost as shameless as the Greeders who paste "Jesus & his father" all over their sites talking about their holiness etc etc trust God, trust me...send deposit via paypal...very deceptive in the worst way.:mad:

I agree with you 100%