@TarkabarkaHolgy
Other cute South American critters
Alpaca, llama, Capybara and of course the Cavy (guinea pig).
We've also had cats, goats, ducks, hens, guinea fowl (stupidest noisy birds), goldfish in outdoor pond. Not all at the same time.

Parents had dogs.

Guinea pigs are a better pet than rabbits or cats (killers), but you need more than one.
They like snow as long as there is a nice hutch.