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This study investigated aspects of children's friendship with the family pet during preadolescence. A convenience sample (N=122) of preadolescent pet owners at the appropriate grade level for age, living in the Chicago, Illinois area, participated in the study. Subjects completed an investigator-designed Pet Friendship Scale that contained 26 items descriptive of preadolescent/pet friendship. Results revealed that “I love you” and “I like you the way you are” were the items most highly descriptive of preadolescent/pet friendship.Emotional investment in the human/animal bond and responsibility for the pet's well-being emerged as the major facets of friendship with the family pet.
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Davis et al. (1995) studied this question.
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