THE PREADOLESCENT PET FRIENDSHIP BOND

This study investigated aspects of children's friendship with the fami ly pet during preadolescence. A convenience sample (N=122) of preadole scent 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 hi ghly descriptive of preadolescent/pet friendship. Emotional investment in the human/animal bond and responsibility for the per's well-being emerged as the major facets of friendship with the family pet.