The first pets that my sister and I had fit in a round glass bowl. Goldfish were a big part of our lives, serving as the go-to pet for plenty of years. While goldfish have their purpose, sometimes they can seem a little dull. After all, you can’t play fetch with a fish.
When trying to negotiate for a furrier pet, she and I settled on a hamster and a gerbil. We petitioned our parents hard, proving that we’d be responsible rodent owners. But finally, my parents caved and decided to welcome a dog to the house. It was an option that she and I didn’t even know was a possibility. Here we were, aiming low.
While Buttons the Bichon Frise was an adorable and very important part of the Belz family, many homes can’t easily welcome a dog. A lot of people are renting homes these days, and the lease may prevent certain pets. Also, dogs are a lot of responsibility — especially if you end up with a puppy. Still, there are plenty of great options that fall somewhere between goldfish and dogs. If your children are aching for a new family member, here are 8 great “first pets” you might want to consider.