When you have a special “animal voice” that you use when talking to any pet, and that sounds suspiciously like baby talk. “Who’s mommy’s most favorite puppy in da while widest world? You are!”
Puppy and kitty kisses – on the mouth, and often with tongue (hopefully just theirs).
Assigning human qualities to your pets. Behaving as though they think like us or understand us when we speak to them. (We recently got a puppy and our cat is suddenly getting lots of exercise, and has therefore lost some weight. I picked her up today and, in my best valley girl voice, said “oh my god, you look so thin! what’s your secret?” She just meowed and pushed my face away with her paws when I tried to give her kisses. The kitty hates kisses, so I must steal them against her will.)
Definitely crying at ASPCA commercials. How can you not?!
You celebrate their birthday and/or buy them gifts on holidays.