I didn't have time right now to read the article, but I do think pets can play a major role in a relationship! I guess it does depend on if both partners like the pet, but my partner and I are animal lovers. He wasn't as big on animals when we first got together, but I had cats and have always had exotic pets so he quickly adapted and fell in love! Now he's a pet lover too. We have a crazy, fat, hilarious hamster and 2 very funny (one very fat) cats and a weiner dog. We just got the hamster about 2 months ago when I was babysitting him and ended up falling in love. I have to admit, we do bond a lot with pets. I mean, it's helped us to bond. I think part of it has something to do with seeing your partner express care and love for a furry creature. I know it warms my heart to see him loving on Hubert (hamster) or any of our pets.