I loved having a small turtle when I was a kid. If that fails maybe you could even go with a frog? They have those kits where you start with a pollywog and get to watch it go through all the stages.
Personally I love my ferrets but unless they are raised with a cat, probably not a good idea. Plus they can get several diseases from the cats that are more harmful to them.
Just something to think about.
kat
Me-53(and learning!) S24, S21, D18, D17 Just keep swimming, Just keep swimming. Dory