if you're looking for something to entertain the kids make sure it's not nocturnal-we've had more than one friend get some pet their kid begged for only to find it slept all day and the kid got realy bored realy quick.
i'de veto mice-dd's class did them a couple of years ago and despite assurances and reassurances that it was a 'same sex couple'-they had a massive mouse population soon after (apparantly they were same sex but had interacted with the opposite sex before purchase). despite very concerted cleaning efforts that classroom had a very distinct and unplesant odor.
i also think your dh needs to be around and handle whatever pet you consider purchasing-some pet allergies can be very sensitive. on the other hand, some allergies can be pretty specific-so he may be allergic to some types of cats but not others (personaly i can't be around long haired cats without sneezing, coughing and swoolen eyes-short hair cats are no problem whatsoever). so maybe he'd be willing to do a 'test drive' with some potential pets.
i'de veto mice-dd's class did them a couple of years ago and despite assurances and reassurances that it was a 'same sex couple'-they had a massive mouse population soon after (apparantly they were same sex but had interacted with the opposite sex before purchase). despite very concerted cleaning efforts that classroom had a very distinct and unplesant odor.
i also think your dh needs to be around and handle whatever pet you consider purchasing-some pet allergies can be very sensitive. on the other hand, some allergies can be pretty specific-so he may be allergic to some types of cats but not others (personaly i can't be around long haired cats without sneezing, coughing and swoolen eyes-short hair cats are no problem whatsoever). so maybe he'd be willing to do a 'test drive' with some potential pets.
