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PET OWNERS AS A FOLK GROUP
FOLK GROUP: Intro
Pet ownership is a customary form of folk group, in which membership is not only by ownership of a pet, but also certain customs and experiences shared with other pet owners. Owning a pet is a responsibility that requires specific knowledge that others may not have, although oftentimes this knowledge is gained through growing up in a household that has pets.
FOLK GROUP: Body
There are certain sub-groups within the folk group of pet owners. For instance, dog owners often bring their dogs to parks to interact with other dogs, while the owners speak to other dog owners. This can even lead to small groups of dog owners who plan to meet at the park at a set time, deepening the bonds felt between each other. Although “play-dates” of other types of pets are possible, they are generally less common than dogs.
FOLK GROUP: Body
Even when not with their pets, pet owners delight in talking to others about their pets. It’s not uncommon for pet owners to have photos ready to share with others, and some anecdotal stories about specific things their pet likes to do. It’s even a common “icebreaker” to ask people whether they consider themselves a “dog-person,” “cat-person,” or otherwise. Just this small bit of information can often lead to conversations about the experiences shared between pet owners.
FOLK GROUP: Body
FOLK GROUP: Image
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