What constitutes a pet?

The one downside of moving to Alberta is
the fact we had to give up our cats, Squeak
and Samba. And we are now in a 'no pets
building'. And I got to thinking, what
constitutes a pet anyway?
Fur? Feathers? 4 legs?



I asked him about getting a cat - just in case
there was some little soft spot in him.
"No, I don't like no animals" he says.



So I thought what if I got a goldfish? How can
he tell me I can't have a little goldfish? Is
a goldfish considered a pet? An iguana?
Hamster? Gerbil?

I'll just get a little pet, surely that can't hurt.
Something with short fur and short legs.