Like the original Aibo, the robo-pet now acts happy when showered with attention and likes to be petted.

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They recognise her and come to the edge of their cages to be petted or fed a treat.

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Nintendogs, an interactive pet romp features puppies cavorting around the screen that can be petted with a plastic pen.

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"We've been beating each other up all year, " Ohio State's Lenzelle Smith Jr. said as he petted the Big Ten trophy.

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The wee cat went to her but she never petted him.

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She wheedled, petted him, became frosty, became nice.

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El Hadji-Diouf's petted lip, Majid Boughera's curious attempt to get the referee to re-pocket his red card, and the squaring up of messrs McCoist and Lennon in what looked like an invitation to meet behind the sheds after school, were moments of lunacy.

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