Birds!
Birds can make great pets. When I was a kid, my friend had a bird and I loved going to her house. I asked my parents for ages to allow me to get one as well. Finally, they allowed me to. I purchased Woodstock at the Farmer's Market near our house in L.A. and loved him. What a great pet! He was chatty, beautiful and fun to watch. He didn't make a big mess in the house, he didn't need to be walked, and he never peed on the floor. He was the perfect pet! People often say that fish are the perfect pet, but you can't pet a fish or play with a fish. The bird sat in his cage most of the day, but I was also able to take him out when I wanted to play or watch him fly around my room.
If you are thinking about getting a bird, it is important to do your research. Some birds are louder than others, and this can, obviously, influence the noise level that you have in your house. Some fancy and expensive birds can learn to mimic your speech, which can be a lot of fun. Some birds do better with partners, while others like to be more alone. Birds are a great way to have a pet in the house without a terribly large commitment. If you go away for the weekend, it's usually not too difficult to find someone to watch him. The children can learn responsibility for changing his newspaper and his food/water and you can enjoy the music that he makes while you cook or organize the house. A bird - what an interesting possibility. Think about it!
