Dogs and Cats. Meh.

Cockatiels! Now that is a cute animal.
If my apartment didn't have a 'no pets' policy, I'd totally get another one. I asked the manager about it, and she said the policy was more in line against larger animals that cause messes and smells. And noise. She said if she couldn't hear it, she didn't care.
Cockatiels are so damn noisy....shame.
Just make do with the couch potato of the insect/arachnid world, my Emperor Scorpion named Siddhartha.
Before you get all: "Oh my Heavens!" This thing is probably less dangerous than a lego on the floor.
They are massive and the shade of *death*, but don't believe the hype. The sting is about as bad as a bee, the pincers will cause massive discomfort at worst. Plus they literally just lay there waiting to ambush prey. They don't even hunt. They'll walk around once in a while and that's the jist of an Emp.
Pick it up, and it'll be all: "Whoah, Man! Where am I? Hmmm, this hand is warm...think I'll take a nap. So comfy man..." or at least mine is...like an overly friendly guard dog.
Mrs. HollowYou can't pick your family. I've lived with the fact for my entire life. My dead stepfather is the only person I considered 'true' family. Of all my blood relations, I believe I was the only one who mourned.
I do not 'love' any member of my family, and it is very, very hard to not outright hate them. They've done nothing deserving of the former, and have done many things to earn the latter.
But, I remind myself: the true opposite of love, is indifference. Which is all they truly deserve from me.
If she wishes to alter her perception of reality to an innocent child...it speaks volumes of her shortcomings. And the pain you feel, speaks volumes of your empathy and humanity. In it's own way, it is a good thing. A proper response to an improper statement.
Ultimately, *true* family is not blood. It is the ones who are there for you, and the ones you are there for.