You could just use fences for your animals with some carpet on top, so you can hop in and out.
I actually don't have much pictures of mine at the moment, but I can take some and post them later!
Edit: Okay this picture I've added to the post is of a current Realms server, I've built and made this island house from nothing. It's one of my more impressive builds. I have a lot to do though.
Edit2: The second picture I've posted is an updated image I just took. Its turning out great, I'm excited to see what I do next. Right now I'm building an item elevator for my slime with lime green glass going up to my islands and flowing into a storage system. I'll show pictures soon.
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I do not feel bad for creepers. First and foremost, what did I ever do to them?! Second, why would anyone arbitrarily walk up to someone and blow them up? Remember, the creeper dies too, which makes me think, who (or what) hired them? Third, they spawn in darkness and destroy your items/structures/etc. And finally--they are a well-aranged collection of pixels. Keeptha in mind time you run a creeper through with your broadsword.