Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Propet* (for Prospect*, Property, etc.)

Folks of all types keep pets of all stripes, and dogs are arguably the most popular of these in the good old U.S. of A. There once was a time when gay Americans were not legally allowed to adopt, but fortunately those days are (partially now, at least) behind us. Unwanted children, as well as abandoned animals, may now be adopted (in many states) by any prospective parent, if otherwise qualified, regardless of sexual orientation. And when it comes to canines, some would even say that gay people make the best dog owners of all. Though we often speak of "owning" pets, many would regard that as a meaningless misnomer and often feel closer to their pets than they do to their own family or friends. Animals—these animals, anyway—are not property. As Groucho Marx once put it: "Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read." If you are pro-pet (or even if you're not) and it's not too dark to read right now, please sniff around a bit for our typo of the day, which was dug up 42 times in OhioLINK, and 782 times in WorldCat.

(At the Capital Pride parade near Dupont Circle in Washington, D.C., June 9, 2012, Washington Animal Rescue League brings along some of their most ardent supporters. From Wikimedia Commons.)

Carol Reid

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