"Owls are a bit different, I should think." They were useful, for one, and lived off in their own habitat, at least here in the castle. "But he seems ... good-natured enough, at least. I've never had one, but I do remember some nasty specimens in the neighborhood." He nudged the cat away with his foot, gently enough that it could probably pass for something like petting.
He picked up his rook, considering moving it along. "I suppose it makes for decent company, if you don't mind the side effects." He brushed some of the fur off the front of his robes, or tried.