We're talking about real life, not reddit or LessWrong or something. Most people don't want to "debate you" about their affection for pets, they just want to tell you how cute their dog is. And questioning their love for their pets makes you come off as someone that has no empathy for animals, which most people do find pretty creepy.

"I love my mom!"

"Would you die to save her?"

Another potentially interesting moral quandary that is pretty rude to ask some random stranger who is just trying to make conversation.

"I love god!"

"What makes you think god is real?" no no no please stop just smile and nod and let everyone get on with their day