2.Irish English (northern). to be petted on: to be very attached to, as a child is to his or her mother; (of a child) to be clinging to his or her mother.
ΚΠ
1880 W. H. PattersonGloss. Words Antrim & Down 77Petted on, to be fond of a person, as a child is.
1896 M. HamiltonAcross Ulster Bog 21 She was that petted on me.
1996 C. I. MacafeeConc. Ulster Dict. 251/1Petted on, of a child clinging to, very attached to (usually his or her mother).