Any of your pets are lucky indeed. When I have to have a pet put down, I sing to them on the way to the vet. They hear me cry a lot less when I do that.
I have a Starrett 6-inch digital. In my opinion, it's never been a good caliper. Now, it doesn't even work. Only about 6 years old. I also have a 12-inch Mitutoyo that I've used almost every working day since buying it (About 4 years ago). Wonderful tool. Would buy again.