Hypothesis: domestication in pets is largely the result of selection for permanent childhood, so the pet never becomes fully autonomous and borrows top level intentions from parental authority. And homo sapiens is a domesticated hominid.
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Neoteny is selected by nature too. Human preferences are not necessary. See e.g Axelotl. I think cuteness is just a biproduct. The functional role is greater adaptability, which was what humans were selecting for in pets. Trust, loyalty etc. also demand adaptability.
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