Our house is full of animals (which are not quite substitute children). Eight rats, a guinea pig, two rabbits, a Manx cat, a mynah bird, and a turtle (not to mention several fish)..

They all contribute a great deal to the amusement of the place. :) The latest trick from the cat is to eat steak mince by lifting from the plate with his paw and putting it to his mouth. If this keeps up we'll have to have him at the table with a knife and fork!