This has to be one of the most stupid articles I have ever read. Speaking as someone that has had one of each over the last 25 years I feel qualified to refute the argument. I got a an obese 7 year old Lhasa Apso from a rescue centre and she played the game of slobbering all over me initially then turned into the most manipulative creature imaginable.
When I moved here 15 years ago Calais the cat moved in as a kitten just to avoid living in a menagerie next door, played up the cute bit by nibbling my ear and biting the flowers of my house plants but soon learned how to treat me as the head waiter.
Not sure if it is animal thing or a female thing but both knew/know how to get one over on me.
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2017/aug/01/should-we-stop-keeping-pets-why-more-and-more-ethicists-say-yes