Ownership

I think they know who's boss!

So, really, we "own" our animals? You bag or shovel up their poop, they wait at the door for you to let them out, you "walk" them - or in most cases they walk you, you wait outside in all kinds of bad weather for them to "do their thing" (which I really think they take longer to do in bad weather just to spite you), you vacuum and sweep their hair, brush and bathe them, and feed them and water them, pay for their toys, food and vet bills and you're their master?! Right!
And yet we wouldn't trade them for the world... except maybe when they shed all over, get into the garbage bag you forgot to take out, rip up a prized belonging or throw up or pee in the house! But if you were going to base dog and cat ownership on those inconvenient issues no one would have kids either, (minus the shedding my kids have all done all of the above and I wouldn't trade them either).