I really think this is a symptom of a serious cultural mental disorder.
Animals are fun and cute. Jeez curmudgeon.
45% of folks would probably say that the only “being” that shows them unconditional love, is their pet. Of course, that is only because the pet cannot talk, and truly express their feelings...
“sir, you annoy me, but if licking your hand feeds me, so be it”.... “I’m not purring because I like you, I’m doing that as meditation so that I may continue to survive being cooped up in this stinky, overheated mobile home, being fed gawd knows what from a can imported from China..”