Pet suggestions: Ferrets! Most places have ferret-rescue societies (since they normally run anywhere from $80 to $150 each) that have carpet-sharks who need new homes; if you can, get more than one-- a single ferret is a very, very lonely animal indeed (they're colony animals) and can get pretty desperate for attention. But they're loving, playful, both dependent and independent, silly trickster-critters... and beautiful, at least to me. They're NOT rodents as some people believe; they're closest relatives are otters and weasles. I love my three ferrets enormously, and they love me too-- with mine, I *know* they're glad to see me-- I come home from work and let them out of their room; they rush past, dance around, and then run BACK to me to be greeted. They all want to be picked up and petted, and they very enthusiastically wash my face in return.

I've been raising ferrets for nearly 20 years now; the longest one has lived was 11 years, but they can live longer (I knew one who died of old age at nearly 15). You do find ferrets that are biters, usually from being isolated in a cage and from other ferrets-- anything can turn mean with provocation. If you want to know more about 'em, email me and I'll tell you what I can. I know, they're not for everyone... but then, I'm *not* everyone and neither are you, are you? ^__^