I was just having this conversation with my boyfriend of ten years, Ed. He gets it. We've been diving together for years and he's watched my love of octopuses grow. He was there the first time I saw one on a dive and the divemaster was handling it. That was IT for me..... Most people's reaction is " You keep one as a pet? That's really cool." But they don't know any more than the fact that they have eight legs. When you tell them about their level of intelligence, their ability to reason and problem-solve, to play, their amazing eyesight etc...they're always totally surprised. Most people don't understand how you could get attached to them though.
They're so smart. Sometimes, you see those octopus eyes lookin' at you, and it's a little creepy. You know they're thinkin'...but about what?! ha! ...To me, it's like having a smart little sea monster. They're interesting CREATURES.