Everyone thought we'd pick a Tolkien name for t'child, but we reckoned it might be mean. As it is, his name does have Tolkien connections, but also many others and can be shortened to something currently popular for little boys anyway so he won't stand out as an odd-bod at school - so it's good all round
Sam is a good name though, not too odd at all. And Rosie and Elanor are also not too weird. Merry could also be used - the child could be named Meredith, which is quite a nice name, and Merry used as her pet name. I actually know someone who has daughters named Rose and Eleanor.
As for pets, you can go mad, so long as it's not something you'd feel embarrassed shouting out of the back door. Standing there raddling a fork in a cat food can and yelling at the top of your lungs: "Teleporno! Come and get your meat!" might have your neighbours' net curtains twitching...