@MJG017 they certainly are. I have always treated my pets as part of the family and give them all the love & attention I can. I probably treat them better than some of my family members. 

I think you get back, what you put out with pets. My ex husband used to hate that all our pets would come to me when I called them, or they were happy to lay on me when on the lounge, but they wouldn't for him. That to me is a big red flag.