My dad is an animal lover, my mom not so much. So when I was a kid I begged them for a guinea pig - my mom didn't know what they were (she asked if they were really pigs!=). Later on, I always took care of Piggy as I said I would - I cleaned her cage everyday. But as "neutral" as my parents claimed to be, I knew that they really liked Piggy. Piggy learned to recognize my dad's footsteps - as soon as she heard him walking down the stairs, she'd come running out and squealing at the top of her lungs. My dad ALWAYS went outside to get her grass, dandelions, and other treats. We kept the cage in the kitchen where we always hung out, so whenever my mom was preparing dinner, she'd give Piggy whatever vegetables she was washing. She claimed it was because she's was trying to get Piggy to be quiet, but I know it was because she thought it was cute - Piggy would come out, grab it out of her hand, and run back inside.
I love my parents for that!