I think for me pet ownership feels selfish, it's mostly a symbol of some kind. Those who use them that way I don't think focus on people much differently. Those that love their pet's, for the being they are, as co-participants in life are doing a great thing for animals that might not otherwise...
The Secret Book of The Egyptian Gnostics by Jean Doresse it includes Gnosticism its earliest elements, the problem with Gnosticism and all manuscripts found in 1945 at Nag Hammadi. Seems very comprehensive, lots of footnotes, good book to have around.