Class pet, or not class pet...that is the question.

I like pets.  I have two dogs.  As a kid I was SO desperate for a pet that the first two things on my birthday list and Christmas list each year were:
1. Horse
2. Dog
I managed to get horse riding lessons and a...parakeet.  A parakeet?  I definitely did NOT ask for that.  I wanted something fun and furry.  A bird?  Not so much.  Pixie the parakeet lived until my first Thanksgiving home from college.  10 years.  Birds are messy and delicate and not a ton of fun.  Especially when your mom is making you run the Dustbuster under the cage three times a day.
I always assumed I would have a farm when I grew up.  Then, I spent two summers working as a counselor/wrangler at a summer camp.  Horses are a lot of trouble and a lot of work!  My mom always told me, "When you grow up you can have horses, dogs, cows, pigs, and whatever else you want.  You will be old enough to take care of them and clean up after them."  Ugh.  Mom, you were right!  I love my dogs.  But, they shed.  And, well, use the restroom in my backyard.  And they have bedding that adds to my never-ending piles of laundry.  But gosh darn!  I love those guys!
So, the question is...should I get a class pet?  I'm thinking a guinea pig.  They are pretty sturdy and not as fast or as clever as mice or hamsters.  Plus, I love how they squeal when you bring in a bag with veggies for them in the morning.  I had a guinea pig when I taught preschool, but the kids were really rough with him, so I brought him home.  I think the kids would really love the responsibility.  Oooh.  Such a hard decision!  Parents, what do you think?