Ш-48

ГЛАДИТЬ/ПОГЛАДИТЬ ПО ШЕРСТИ (ПО ШЁРСТКЕ) кого coll VP subj: human to do or say sth. that is pleasing to s.o. , makes s.o. feel good

X погладил Y-a no шерсти - X complimented (praised, flattered etc) Y

(in limited contexts) X stroked Y's ego X smoothed Y's rumpled feathers.