make more human: You make an important point about the tension between the legal classification of companion animals as "property" and the way they function in our lives as family members. Your experience with your childhood dog shows how deeply pets become part of our daily lives, providing comfort, routine, and a sense of stability. Irvine (2004) points out this same contradiction, noting that even in difficult circumstances, people often prioritize their pets, as in *My Dog Always Eats*. This shows how animals provide loyalty and emotional support that go far beyond the idea of "property." It raises an interesting question: if society already sees pets as family in practice, should the law eventually reflect that reality? And what would that mean for both people and animals? **Reference** Irvine, Leslie. 2004. *If You Tame Me: Understanding Our Connection with Animals*. Philadelphia: Temple University Press