I am somewhere in between a Nature freak and animal/pet affectionado, oddly I have no pets presently. Had Bunnies, Dogs, Cats, Tortoise, Snail, Goats in the past, maybe not personally, my mom, grandmother, aunt owns them at some point while I was staying with them, so they are my pets automatically.
Otters don't make the cut of top pets, but they are sure on that list. If Lions and Pumas could make the cut, Otters are fine furry friends too take it or embrace it.
Basically every animal could be owned as pets, they keep us company and doesn't judge and backbite. They could bite and scratch you occasionally, but that's just the animal instincts in them, just like we humans lie and cheat.
We have the best gift to us as human beings in Nature, animals and vegetation could give anyone therapeutic feeling and heal you momentarily or permanently of any sorrow. The Otter handshaking gave me a new perspective of how friendship with Nature could be one of the best natural thing to happen to you on your worst day.