Hey Wend,
I'm a fellow newb too.
I've had no problems with pets at home.
Maby you should to one of the people at the shop who knows about the animls? I do that (and did, when I got my new fishys), and so far fingers crossed havent lost my first five in my fish in cycle.
Also the people on here are good to talk to.
They can give you the advice you need.
Also google helps to some point. I google as much as I can, and if any thing don't make sence I ask people. Just up till now I did'nt have this forum.
Hope every thing goes well.
P.S the best way for a fish out sycle I've found without using chemicles is a very small quantity of fish food in the tank once a day till the cycle is finished. May take a while, but it works.
Pets at home should provide you a free water check to make sure all the amonia, nitrate, and the other one nitrote or what ever it's called lol, to make sure it's all gone.
My local one does.
Best to get it checked once a week, while your going through the cycle, after you don't have to. but I always have (I was a cold water fish owner before I turned tropical) and it does'nt hurt. It also picks up on possible problems in your tank.
All the best