from everything I see here... this is the best outcome.

Sirius: A Fantasy of Love and Discord?

It's a somewhat interesting question as to when, precisely, the line is crossed making an animal into a person. "Sentience" indicates the ability to experience feelings and sensations, and express them (e.g., wagging a tail). How far along animals are on the scale of reasoning and self-awareness is a very interesting question, and one that's been revisited in recent years. One could argue that a totally silent animal (i.e., one that lacks vocal cords) but one capable of reasoning and self-awareness *might* qualify as a person. You do start to be in the vestibule of a rabbit hole when you get into that discussion, when it comes to things like animal labor (guide dogs?).

In this particular case, the dog appears to have a well-developed ability to both talk and reason, and certainly has self-awareness. So if you had an *involuntary* relationship, it could arguably be captivity. If the relationship was voluntary (as I suspect Ace's might be in this context), then it wouldn't be captivity.

It's furry enough then!
And you know he's the bad guy because he hates dogs!

Awwww. What a fuck head. What's his problem? Poor dog!

Dogs need masters who love them. Even talking dogs!

They need a pack leader or member. Used to have a Husky that was 1/4 Wolf. Adopted her the day before the pound in Flagstaff was going to put her down. Took her a couple of months to be certain of her new pack. Dad was the Alpha, mom with her Alzheimers was one she kept a watchful eye on and well She and I were in contention on our status. Couple of times I had to alpha her. Very vocal and would make eye contact and pretty much let you know what she was thinking or wanting. Didn't take long for me to understand what her vocalizations were and she was pretty much understanding what I was saying. Dad called her my sister and told her I was her brother. If he told her "Go find your brother" she'd come and get me asap. On paper we owned her, but we pretty much considered her Family. When mom went into a nursing home, the dog was pining for her. Dad asked "You want to go see Momma?" Bam, straight to the door to garage, wouldn't move till we opened the door and then the car door. Had the staff at the home check her over, then went to see mom. After that the dog knew the route, would get ticked if we deviated on the way there if we said Going to see Momma. Even knew which elevator to take and which floor to get off at. They are sentient and do communicate in their own way. I frankly enjoyed interacting with a non human intelligence. Ditto for the horses I've been around over the years.

depends on how you treat the animal in question. genetic engineers do not have to be awful people.

He does have a point though. the money has to come from somewhere.

It's hard to be good.

I believe that Ace has a good eye for talent. I find myself liking the dog already even though I know nothing about him. With a single sentence he basically told the guy that I don't know if the guy made him found him or whatever but he basically set himself to get out of a bad situation and hopefully into a better one.

Should consider a career in law enforcement, his sentience and other demonstrated abilities would be a godsend.

god lord he should neverhae a pet