It depends on where you live as to whether or not animals are in utilitarian roles. Outside of urban areas there are a lot of folks who still don’t pamper their animals and whose critters tend to work–not necessarily like they once did, but work as a form of physical and mental occupation and as a challenge or hobby pastime to the owner.

In general, service dogs are working animals and not pets–which is why they have those nifty jackets and patches that tell you to leave them alone.

Happy to hear it brought up some things to ponder. I’ve been doing a lot of that myself lately!

Many people these days keep horses (and goats and donkeys) for purely entertainment or leisure purposes. There aren’t a whole lot of truly working animals left. Most people still are hesitant to classify a horse (or other hooved mammal) as a pet.

So how (and when) should we classify animals as pets?

Are all dogs pets? Is a service dog a pet?

Nice post. It brings up some interesting things to think about!

Mary