TOD: I have a vague memory of fish and turtles and I was told about a duck, named Pecky, who died valiantly defending his family against a marauding racoon. But the first pet I remember the family having was Pat-pat, a black cocker spaniel.
The first pet I had on my own, as an adult, was Hotspur, my Yorkshire terrier, who used to tour with me in dinner theatre and was beloved by all. Hotspur lived to be close to sixteen and is the dog all subsequent dogs we've had have had to live up to.