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Nonsense! Dogs were domesticated something like a million years
ago. The resemble nothing of their wild cousins. Dogs *are* a
part of the family, though also a possession.

I bet when you were a kid a dog bit you, after you kicked it.

No, I don't harm animals but I've read about enough people being killed
by dogs that it is alarming to see owners who do not adequately secure
their animals. Family pets can bite if they are injured, threatened or
protecting their food. I grabbed a chicken bone from our pet once, and
he didn't like it. My fault of course that he got food he should not
have, but it is natural animal behavior that I was referring to.

I've also had the sad experience of having an injured cat crawl into the
yard .. one with a large abcessed wound on it's head. Cat's don't
belong on city streets. We kept ours indoors and took good care of him
... one of the sweetest animals I have known.

My daughter's dog came out of nowhere once when I bent over to tuck in
and kiss my grandson goodnight .. she got between me and my grandson.
She is very protective of her owners, and I don't know what it would
take for her to attack, but she has also taken a protective stance to
protect me. She is amazing, and people often stop to ask about her when
we go for walks. The dog will get between me and the stranger, put her
body against mine. Can't hear her growl but can feel it.

I used to visit a neighbor's Doberman to give it water. It spent years
tied to a tree in the back yard, wearing a path around the tree. His
water bowl was often empty. His food bowl was attracting rats.

Took care of an older lady in the hospital once who was mauled by her
own Doberman. She was preparing it's food, went to put the bowl down
and he mauled her arms badly. She lost a couple of fingers in the deal.