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I know most of the discussion here is about cats and dogs, but who keeps ectotherms? Reptiles, amphibians, fish, invertebrates? While they're not fuzzy and furry, many make wonderful pets and have great personalities. Since they're usually not as extroverted as mammals and birds, you have to pay closer attention, but they most assuredly are aware and intelligent beings.
Newts, salamanders, and fish will recognize their keeper and approach you for food. Snakes have subtle but distinct personalities and respond differently to different people. I've found that frogs and lizards are quite observant and will learn from each other. All of that seems elementary to me, since over the decades I've kept many many "non-traditional" pets. But I did get a bit of a surprise from a recent addition to my household - a pure-white crayfish named Callisto. I got her because she was cool, but I honestly wasn't expecting much by way of interaction from a crayfish. It didn't take long, though, for her to recognize me and come to the side of her tank when she sees me puttering around nearby - and when she's hungry she'll reach up with her pinchers and make "gathering" motions. Then she will take a piece of food from my fingertips. In truth, she's more interactive than my hamster, who will occasionally take a treat from my fingers, but otherwise prefers to keep to himself.
If you can't keep a dog or cat due to space or allergy issues, consider ectotherms. Find a species that matches your personality and your environmental parameters, and you can find yourself with a delightfully personable new family member.
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