General question to those actually in the zoo lifestyle

[HoundSpirit]

Every animal I've owned has been one of my (soulmates) regardless of whether the relationship ended up being sexual ?

 

[JazzyPaws]

Depends on who I'm talking to. But to me, they are my bonded mates.

 

[Mosteel]

Lol, consider this a crossover from vegan stuff and the whole animal sentience and advanced rights argument, but i just go with companions, in lew of sounding crazy and just using straight people terms (If it wouldn't cause such stares, id call my current animal friends room mates!).
I try not to use the term pet. It seems so... devaluing.

I refer to my companions by their names outside of zoo circles. In zoo circles... id rather keep everyone around me anonymous.

 

[JazzyPaws]

I try not to use the term pet. It seems so... devaluing.

I hate it when people call my mates "Pets". I get it, to most others, thats what they are, but it sure doesn't stop my gut from turning.

 

[Chiara2003]

I would never refer to they as “pets”?‍…. Better jus call they “dogs”… or horses etc ?‍

 

[K_9River_rat]

In private, he's "lover"..

Public, "my boy"

EDIT: When we're having a moment, sometimes "baby"

And he answers to all of them

 

[jessvetmed]

For us in private it's, "my love" "babe" "baby" "lover" "handsome" etc.

 

[DogSong]

I have tended to use "My Girl" or "Partner" depending on the conversation and context. I find that the first never poses a problem (though sometimes I had to clarify I wasn't referring to a human), while the second is usually understood as whimsical (since I didn't do a job with her). Interestingly, I've had other people refer to her as my "girlfriend"- without a whiff of suspicion for them.

It's funny how the terms we use can change meaning depending on who the audience is...

 

[dane-dad-neb]

He is My lover to make me happy.

Rosa, you are perfect !

 

[LouLou78]

I selected other as I refer to my dog as my boyfrend