With that answer, I think my answer to iguana or "exotics" is a huge NOOOOOOO.

I don't like them. Sorry, know they're a member of the species of Earth too, but just don't like them. Birds, iguanas, etc just don't have the ...um...hate using this term..."durability with children" that something somewhat mammalian does.

Hopefully, we can get her to deal with the fact it will be a dog or a cat or nothing. Hubby and I have grown up with dogs and want to wait until the kid is out of "love them to death...almost literally" mode. He remembers their beagle almost getting strangled to death when he'd hug her and doesn't want that to happen to an animal we bring here.

Any recommendation on age when bringing a pet into a home is appropriate? We don't plan on having any more children and Sandra will be 2 on May 1.

What do you recommend parents do to acclimate both the pet to the kid and the kid to the pet, age group wise?

I know this sounds silly, but would you mind writing a post about kids and animals and what is appropriate behaviour and what parents need to be aware of.

OR, would you recommend some books on the subject?

Thanks!
Faith