In retrospection, I would be the first one to say it: my dogs rescued me, they are my family, I do think of them as "my boys" hence I suppose as my kids. Though, I wonder am I crossing a fine line?
According to the Merriam-Webster, the definition of "anthropomorphize" is: "to attribute human form or personality to things non human". Do we ascribe attributes to our pets, which facilitates justifying our behavior at times in my case I would say "obsessive", "overly protective" toward them. Other definition for anthropomorphize is "to ascribe human form or attributes to an animal", is it something we do that can affect our beloved pets?
In college, I had to write a research paper to write throughout the semester for an Anthropology course, my subject was highly influenced by my obsession of the moment: dogs. I was, at the time, fostering a dog. Surprisingly, my professor approved as the dog was the first domesticated animal by us (humans). My point is the dog is truly the first animal we domesticated. I am no expert, but in my opinion, there are many reasons. One in particular is that the dog has the particularity to return our eye contact. In other words, dogs seem to pay us attention. I believe any dog proprietor would agree. Even in the field of science, dogs have been recognized as wanting to please us, seeking to comprehend us, they follow our cues, listen and process with our commands (trained dogs)...
Surprisingly, I wonder do we do them injustice by treating them like family? I can't help but think to myself, "dog is man best friend", which in my mind justifies why I treat mine like my kind. They are my friends hence my kind. Though am I wrong for placing my dogs above other humans. They certainly have a place in my family though should they be seen as my kids? Perhaps, I am wrong, they are not my kids. Why do I tend to think so? Is it because like many other dog owners, I feel the responsibility associated with the fact that I "ADOPTED" them. Do we adopt our pets like others adopt their kids? I am certain this comment would infuriate many, though why do so many of us think of our pets as our kids?
