I grew up in the same type of home. Even today, now I'm married and with my own home and children, this is the conversation my dad had when he visited last week and Nicki jumped up onto the couch: Dad said, "Off Nicki. Animals aren't allowed on the furniture" I turned around and said (a little too meanly) "in MY house pets can do whatever they please, whenever, wherever" Ooops... I guess too many years of repressed anger over his opinions of animals?

As Kelly said, you have to repsect their rules while you live with them. They might not make any logical sense, but thats their feelings, and you need to respect that. Someday when you go off to college or to your own apartment you can fills it with as many fish, birds, cats, dogs, etc. as your heart desires. It will only make it all the more sweet to finally have something you've wanted for so long.