My wife used to have Gerbils when we first met.
Each time one died it was tramatic for her. (She loved those fuzz balls) Now our daughter has repeatedly asked for Gerbils and Hamsters but Mom just won't allow it.
She doesn't want to go through it all again.
This was our 4th gerbil (two sets of two); the one that had lived with her died several months ago. If you’re going to have pets with a short life span, you can’t get too attached! Maybe we’ll get some more in the spring, since we have the cage and food supplies. On the other hand, some of the children are agitating for more reptiles!