This article reminded me of one of my rules of pet ownership. I usually say it as a joke, but really I'm kidding on the square. The rule?

Don't own a pet that you couldn't kill with your bare hands if you had to.

Of course, the level of empty-handed lethality will vary from person to person, so there's nothing to say what kind of pet you personally can or cannot have. Pee Wee Herman gets a snail. Maybe. Chuck Norris can have a Polar Bear.

The other rule?

Get a shelter dog. Don't go to a breeder. I've heard the arguments for breeder dogs. Whoop-di-do. Get a shelter dog.