It's understandable to love one's pet.
Tommy and his friends are playing with one of his gerbils when one of his friends flings the gerbil on the road and laughs.
Tommy wants to appear cool to his friends.
Tommy tells his friends to stop, picks up his gerbil and cares for him medically.
Tommy joins in the laughter too.
The gerbil lives and ultimately Tommy's friends learn something and respect him more.
The gerbil dies and Tommy's friends ultimately respect him less later on.