Reminds me of that Onion video in which researchers concluded that people, when alone, display all signs of advanced dementia and other mental problems.
I absolutely talk/sing to my dog just like this. ('Cept she's not beary bear so much as poopy (you fool!), boo-boo, lovebug, pumpkin bait, and smoochie.)
I also often tell her that she's my little heart. And my soul. My filthy, filthy soul.