They are not his pets, but rather independent little beings.

Just then some curious little beings hurried to meet them.

Children start off as self-centred little beings and they do not naturally think of the other person.

Don't you realize that these little beings must be carefully studied?

To think of those gentle little beings, thinking that someone was coming to help them.

Then he saw that the little beings were crouching before an approaching form.

Despite all that had happened to them, they were such sweet, hopeful little human beings.

But then the little being, the Ferengi, had run into him.

I cannot keep an eye on little beings not of my own manufacture.

Not that anyone would have wanted to hurt the little being- it was far too well liked.