While the debate rages, I will treat them as if they are sentient - like they do to me. 

But I don't pet my van. I do, however, call it dirty names every so often. 

Sent from my 1963 maroon and cream 702B Western Electric Princess phone. 

> On Aug 1, 2014, at 12:28 PM, Roy Nicholl <RNicholl@NBNET.NB.CA> wrote:
> 
> While dogs are perceptive, whether they are sentient is still a subject of philosophical debate. 
> 
>> On 01-Aug-2014, at 11:47, Dave Mcneely wrote:
>> 
>> A dog is not an object.  A dog is a sentient being.  mcneely
>> 
>> ---- Roy Nicholl <RNicholl@NBNet.nb.ca> wrote:
>>> Must be tough being a dog at the McNeely house ;-)
>>> 
>>>> On 01-Aug-2014, at 11:11, Dave Mcneely wrote:
>>>> 
>>>> I never pet objects, not my shoes, not my vehicle, not my canoe, not a piece of furniture. I reserve petting for sentient beings.  mcneely
>>>> 
>>>> ---- "dofunk@yahoo.com" <dofunk@YAHOO.COM> wrote:
>>>>> After any drive with our van of more than say 2.5 hrs I usually give" her" a pat on the dash and say thanks and good job....oddly I also touch the tred on the front wheel from time to time as if to pet a paw!
>>>> We do,love our syncro!
>>>> Brady.....
>>>> 
>>>> Sent from... Wow just about anywhere!
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> ------ Original message------
>>>> From: Roland
>>>> Date: Thu, Jul 31, 2014 8:06 PM
>>>> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM;
>>>> Subject: Do you ever pat your Vanagon on the head and say thanks?
>>>> 
>>>> Last week we went to Big Bear for a few days from San Diego.  It isn't all
>>>>> that far, typically only 2.5-3 hours, but with stops and traffic it was
>>>>> about 5 hours.   This time we had our grandson with us, and going through
>>>>> the Inland Empire (Riverside, San Bernardino, etc.) was at over 100 degrees
>>>>> in evening rush hour.  The climb to Big Bear is to straight up to 6,000 ft,
>>>>> with some steep grades.   I was able to keep at about 50-55 mph in 3rd;
>>>>> many people waved or flashed "thank you" when I used the pull-outs to let
>>>>> them by.
>>>>> 
>>>>> We hadn't been on a trip with the Vanagon for some time, and I only did a
>>>>> few basic checks.   So I was a bit worried, always planning how I would
>>>>> handle a breakdown.  High temps, no air conditioning, very heavy
>>>>> stop-and-go traffic for dozens of miles.    But it was all smooth sailing,
>>>>> not even an oil buzzer!
>>>>> 
>>>>> Back at home, I patted her on the dashboard and said thank you!   I thought
>>>>> for a moment that she replied with a front suspension creak but ......
>>>>> 
>>>>> Roland
>>>>> '89 Syncro
>>>> 
>>>> --
>>>> David McNeely
>> 
>> --
>> David McNeely