Pets!

Fred Woogle · Post by **Fred Woogle** » February 19th, 2007, 14:35

I have a Dog (called Lemmy

)

But I also want some rats.

HORSEY FTFW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sol · Post by **Sol** » February 19th, 2007, 16:02

Kittehs + Snaeks!

friznit · Post by **friznit** » February 19th, 2007, 16:13

Needs more impact

Post by **deject** » February 19th, 2007, 16:47

Dogs motherfuckers.

Post by **Dog Pants** » February 19th, 2007, 16:52

Woo Elephant Yeah wrote:I love the idea of a parrot, but don't they shit everywhere like most birds?

Only really where they like to sit. Most birds I've dealt with seem to stick to a certain selection of places, so just protect those from the shit. Also, the droppings are quite self contained (well, budgies and cockatiels are anyway), so they're easily picked up. They do create an awful lot of dust though, so there's a 2m cockatiel exclusion zone around my PC.

Woo Elephant Yeah wrote:Also, what stops them from flying out the open window/door?

Nothing. Well, good practice on the owner's part. We have net curtains to stop Beaker getting out, and we use an airlock system when we go to the door (shut the living room door whenever we go to open an external door). If we need to be going in and out, or need both doors open we just put him in his cage for a bit. Next door used to have three parrots, and she'd put their cages in the garden in nice weather if she was outside. One of them managed to horse the plastic top off its cage and flew off. She was heartbroken.

Post by **Joose** » February 19th, 2007, 17:41

There are very few animals that I *dont* like (the only one I can think of off the top of my head is cockroaches. But I actually have a proper phobia of them. If they come near me I go all funny and, in extreme cases, vomit.) I used to have a dog, he was the brilliantest thing evar. But then, my aunt had cats, and they were also the brilliantest thing evar. And some friends of the family bred pet rats, and they were also the brilliantest things evar.

The thing I dont get it the whole cat v dog thing. Why do people presume that if you like one you must hate the other. I like em both. They are both great, for totally different reasons.

As for the whole "keeping animals is cruel" thing, its a daft argument. Its based on the idea that because we are "keeping" them, that they are unhappy, and would prefer to be roaming the wilds. For most pets (the ones that are kept by people who care for them properly, at least) this just isnt true. Its certainly the case with things like dogs and cats (especially cats. If they were not happy with the situation, they would simply fuck off), but I think its also the case with animals that would normally be roaming wild but have been brought up as pets from birth. If they are kept properly, are healthy and happy, whats wrong with that?

Post by **Roman Totale** » February 19th, 2007, 17:51

I, unfortunately, have never had a pet of any sort. I would, however, love to own a cat - I think they rule.

In fact I'm thinking of catnapping a couple of the ones that live round here.

Also

Woo Elephant Yeah · Post by **Woo Elephant Yeah** » February 19th, 2007, 17:56

Joose wrote:As for the whole "keeping animals is cruel" thing, its a daft argument. Its based on the idea that because we are "keeping" them, that they are unhappy, and would prefer to be roaming the wilds. For most pets (the ones that are kept by people who care for them properly, at least) this just isnt true. Its certainly the case with things like dogs and cats (especially cats. If they were not happy with the situation, they would simply fuck off), but I think its also the case with animals that would normally be roaming wild but have been brought up as pets from birth. If they are kept properly, are healthy and happy, whats wrong with that?

I agree entirely, with a slight exception.

From memory, I believe that Parrots are such a highly intelligent bird, that if they are not mentally stimulated enough at regular intervals through the day, I have heard they can go out of their minds.

As much as a picture of a mentalist parrot with impact text on it would amuse me, the actual idea of an animal going stark raving mad because of it's environment makes me sad.

Now I'm not suggesting anyone here who keeps birds would allow that to happen, but am I right in thinking that an awful lot of people buy parrots without thinking they are with them for life, and just get bored of them, and leave them in a cage to go crazy till they die?

Househeld cats and dogs wouldn't survive or even exist if they weren't in captivity, so I have no issues with that, but keeping a large bird in a cage sometimes upsets me, but at the same time I would like to own a bird myself.

I'm guessing there is no right or wrong here, only a point of view, and as much as I would love to have a parrot talking on my shoulder, or playing football with some scrunched up paper, I would still wonder if it would of been happier out in the wild.

Please let me know if the parrots going mental thing is correct or not, as I swear I "read it in a book somewhere"

Mr. Johnson · Post by **Mr. Johnson** » February 19th, 2007, 17:59

Joose wrote:The thing I dont get it the whole cat v dog thing. Why do people presume that if you like one you must hate the other. I like em both. They are both great, for totally different reasons.

i used to like cats too, until, as i mentioned earlier, they ate my fish. now i'm all mad max if it comes to cats.

Dog Pants wrote:Only really where they like to sit. Most birds I've dealt with seem to stick to a certain selection of places, so just protect those from the shit.

fact!

parrot droppings are unfortunately not self contained...

Post by **Dr. kitteny berk** » February 19th, 2007, 18:04

Woo Elephant Yeah wrote:Now I'm not suggesting anyone here who keeps birds would allow that to happen, but am I right in thinking that an awful lot of people buy parrots without thinking they are with them for life, and just get bored of them, and leave them in a cage to go crazy till they die?

No no he's not dead, he's, he's restin'! Remarkable bird, the Norwegian Blue, idn'it, ay? Beautiful plumage!

Mr. Johnson · Post by **Mr. Johnson** » February 19th, 2007, 18:10

Woo Elephant Yeah wrote: I agree entirely, with a slight exception.

From memory, I believe that Parrots are such a highly intelligent bird, that if they are not mentally stimulated enough at regular intervals through the day, I have heard they can go out of their minds.

As much as a picture of a mentalist parrot with impact text on it would amuse me, the actual idea of an animal going stark raving mad because of it's environment makes me sad.

Now I'm not suggesting anyone here who keeps birds would allow that to happen, but am I right in thinking that an awful lot of people buy parrots without thinking they are with them for life, and just get bored of them, and leave them in a cage to go crazy till they die?

Househeld cats and dogs wouldn't survive or even exist if they weren't in captivity, so I have no issues with that, but keeping a large bird in a cage sometimes upsets me, but at the same time I would like to own a bird myself.

I'm guessing there is no right or wrong here, only a point of view, and as much as I would love to have a parrot talking on my shoulder, or playing football with some scrunched up paper, I would still wonder if it would of been happier out in the wild.

Please let me know if the parrots going mental thing is correct or not, as I swear I "read it in a book somewhere"

it is unfortunately true that many parrots are being sold to stupid people who want a parrot "because it can talk" parrots only talk if they are happy or if they want to tell you something. they are indeed highly intelligent birds, and a parrot caught in the wild is near impossible to tame. only parrots with a ring and a license should be bought. they also require lots of attention and you can never punish them, or they will become agressive and precautious of both you and other humans. also, parrots can become so attached to a person, that if this person should die or leave, the parrot becomes depressed and dies, usually because he pecks his own feathers out or because he starves. parrots also couple for life, so if his or her partner might die, the same scenario applies. reading books about parrots (always try the most recent ones) can really help you in your choice, and will you almost everything you need to know. the parrot will teach you the rest.

Sol · Post by **Sol** » February 19th, 2007, 18:27

Meep?

Back to the point, i'd be lost without my cat, it rocks! Allways cheery, funny little thing

Dolly Parton · Post by **Dolly Parton** » February 19th, 2007, 18:40

cats are the worse animals ever here are just a few of my favorite cat pics

Post by **Dog Pants** » February 19th, 2007, 18:54

This is Nelly from next door after she's had a shower. She must be happy because I can hear her through the wall now.

pixie pie · Post by **pixie pie** » February 19th, 2007, 19:06

Pfft, Cats.

Mr. Johnson · Post by **Mr. Johnson** » February 19th, 2007, 19:12

Dog Pants wrote:

This is Nelly from next door after she's had a shower. She must be happy because I can hear her through the wall now.

bob likes to shower too, although it's no fun when he loses his balance and tries to hold on to your nipple.

Post by **Dr. kitteny berk** » February 19th, 2007, 19:15

Mr. Johnson wrote: bob likes to shower too, although it's no fun when he loses his balance and tries to hold on to your nipple.

at least it's only your nipple, else you'd be Mrs. Johnson by now

Post by **Joose** » February 19th, 2007, 19:32

Woo Elephant Yeah wrote: I agree entirely, with a slight exception.

From memory, I believe that Parrots are such a highly intelligent bird, that if they are not mentally stimulated enough at regular intervals through the day, I have heard they can go out of their minds.

As much as a picture of a mentalist parrot with impact text on it would amuse me, the actual idea of an animal going stark raving mad because of it's environment makes me sad.

Now I'm not suggesting anyone here who keeps birds would allow that to happen, but am I right in thinking that an awful lot of people buy parrots without thinking they are with them for life, and just get bored of them, and leave them in a cage to go crazy till they die?

Househeld cats and dogs wouldn't survive or even exist if they weren't in captivity, so I have no issues with that, but keeping a large bird in a cage sometimes upsets me, but at the same time I would like to own a bird myself.

I'm guessing there is no right or wrong here, only a point of view, and as much as I would love to have a parrot talking on my shoulder, or playing football with some scrunched up paper, I would still wonder if it would of been happier out in the wild.

Please let me know if the parrots going mental thing is correct or not, as I swear I "read it in a book somewhere"

I think you are missing a vital point of my post there:

I wrote:the ones that are kept by people who care for them properly, at least

Of course ones that are not kept properly are unhappy. Same goes for dogs that dont get walked, or cats that are shut up in a bloody small flat in a city somewhere and never see the outside world. Any pet that isnt kept properly is going to be unhappy. My point was that if the pet is kept properly it wont be unhappy. And if the pet is happy, what is the problem?

Duke of Ted · Post by **Duke of Ted** » February 19th, 2007, 20:11

Dog Pants wrote:towely parrot photo

awww

i voted all pets cos i wuv all animals
but i have a dog at the mo

Post by **tandino** » February 19th, 2007, 21:11

Currently I have two cats, until a couple of years ago I had an iguana but she's now been donated to a collector. Said collector has a boy Iguana I believe and is trying to set them up, though it's unlikely at best as our climate's no good for getting iguanas in the mood.

Before my iguana I had a two different cats but they were brown breaded by natural causes, bob rest their souls.

Before them I had a mouse and goldfish. I'm good with any pet so long as it doesn't get too needy - I've killed humans for less.