The Little Live pets are one of the most realistic animal toys out there. It reacts to you feeding and petting it. There's not much to fault. 9. Georgie. Original image has been replaced.

Big smiles were on the faces of elderly residents at a Gulfport care facility Monday as several new friendships were formed.

Trendy animals and animal-like creatures aren't a new retail phenomenon; think the talking Teddy Ruxpin toys of the 1980s or Furby and Beanie Babies a decade later.

Instead of giving a firm "no," I looked for realistic animal toys to help teach her the responsibility of cleaning and caring for pets—without the shedding or vet bills.