Pets!

Lateralus · Post by **Lateralus** » February 19th, 2007, 10:35

What is your pet of preference then? I know there is likely to be a leaning towards cats here, but thought I'd put the poll up anyway. Its a monday morning, its grey, misty and horrible outside, and I'm at work when I want to be in bed, so I need something to keep myself occupied!

Hehulk · Post by **Hehulk** » February 19th, 2007, 10:39

You missed horses

Also, I prefere dogs

Lateralus · Post by **Lateralus** » February 19th, 2007, 10:43

Yeah, I thought about that, but having horses would be a bit like including a WERD option. Even though Ty and Roman only have one vote each it would still render it somewhat useless.

Post by **Dog Pants** » February 19th, 2007, 10:46

I'm going to get the picture of my neighbour's parrot off my phone and post it. I think I've a picture of Beaker around here somewhere too. Then try and resist clicking the parrot buttin!

Mr. Johnson · Post by **Mr. Johnson** » February 19th, 2007, 10:48

i had a dog, a cat and a parrot. i obviously choose parrots because:

-they are a friend for life (estimated life expectancy: 60 years)
-it's the only pet that calls you by name, greets you in the morning, says "thank you" when you feed him, and wishes you goodnight when he goes to sleep.
-they make you all piraty when you put them on your shoulder.

(he does try to steal my ladyfriend when she visits, but i'll forgive him for that.)

EDIT:
another reason to vote parrots:

northwesten · Post by **northwesten** » February 19th, 2007, 11:34

u missed one a

get a horse! u can ride for free and see gorgous girls all the time

lol oh and the fun to pick up big poo

Mr. Johnson · Post by **Mr. Johnson** » February 19th, 2007, 11:48

horses sure are tasty though.

*prepares for a beating*

Post by **Dog Pants** » February 19th, 2007, 12:13

Here's a pearoast of Beaker, my cockatiel:

Post by **FatherJack** » February 19th, 2007, 12:15

WTF? No manatee?

I am scared of all animals. I like the concept of them, but I can't go anywhere near real ones.

I have observed that the reasons cat owners love their creatures are exactly the same reasons for those who hate them.

The argument for dogs, of unquestioning loyalty, etc. doesn't seem a very compelling argument, either. They are not attributes I would value in a human.

I don't really like the idea of pets at all - keeping animals captive, instead of letting them go and do what they want in animal-land or wherever. This isn't altruistic - I just wish people would not have pets and therefore expect me to instantly think they are as wonderful as their owners do. I would never be cruel or unkind to them, and don't really like it when their owners say to them that I don't like them - just in case they are cleverer than they are pretending to be.

spoodie · Post by **spoodie** » February 19th, 2007, 12:30

FatherJack wrote:I don't really like the idea of pets at all - keeping animals captive, instead of letting them go and do what they want in animal-land or wherever.

I'd agree to an extent. Properly domesticated animals - such as dogs, cats, horses, some birds and rodents - that have been "genetically engineered" over thousands of years to be happier in human company than in the wild are perfectly acceptable pets, but other undomesticated animals should definitely not be pets. I really don't understand why people keep amphibians as pets, this seems cruel to me.

amblin · Post by **amblin** » February 19th, 2007, 12:34

mrbobbins · Post by **mrbobbins** » February 19th, 2007, 12:55

Dog Pants wrote:picshur

Post the PC Gamer one!

Mr. Johnson · Post by **Mr. Johnson** » February 19th, 2007, 12:59

FatherJack wrote:I don't really like the idea of pets at all - keeping animals captive, instead of letting them go and do what they want in animal-land or wherever. This isn't altruistic - I just wish people would not have pets and therefore expect me to instantly think they are as wonderful as their owners do. I would never be cruel or unkind to them, and don't really like it when their owners say to them that I don't like them - just in case they are cleverer than they are pretending to be.

i think i understand what you are trying to say, but at least 3 animals mentioned in this topic (namely cats, dogs and most birds) can be considered "friends", rather then "pets" since they understand (well, at least dogs and parrots do) the concept of friendship. a parrot, when treated well, will see you as a fellow parrot, and treat you as one, if this is the case, then there is no need for constant encagement (is this a word?), and usually the parrot will see his cage as a "safe haven", rather then an actual cage. after all, no one can reach them in there, and there is food, toys and drink available. with a dog this is different, since a dog "owns" a domain and will protect it and his master at all cost. it's the very concept of "give and you shall recieve" "be fluffy and receive fluffyness." these are merely my thoughts and findings, so please correct me if i'm wrong.

spoodie wrote: I'd agree to an extent. Properly domesticated animals - such as dogs, cats, horses, some birds and rodents - that have been "genetically engineered" over thousands of years to be happier in human company than in the wild are perfectly acceptable pets, but other undomesticated animals should definitely not be pets. I really don't understand why people keep amphibians as pets, this seems cruel to me.

what i am trying to say in clean, proper, understandable english.

Fear · Post by **Fear** » February 19th, 2007, 13:12

DOGS RULE!!!

Cats are evil.

Birds should be free, not trapped in someone's house. Same goes for any animal really.

Post by **Dog Pants** » February 19th, 2007, 13:14

mrbobbins wrote:Post the PC Gamer one!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/33752787@N00/144703891/

Mr. Johnson wrote:i think i understand what you are trying to say, but at least 3 animals mentioned in this topic (namely cats, dogs and most birds) can be considered "friends", rather then "pets" since they understand (well, at least dogs and parrots do) the concept of friendship. a parrot, when treated well, will see you as a fellow parrot, and treat you as one, if this is the case, then there is no need for constant encagement (is this a word?), and usually the parrot will see his cage as a "safe haven", rather then an actual cage. after all, no one can reach them in there, and there is food, toys and drink available. with a dog this is different, since a dog "owns" a domain and will protect it and his master at all cost. it's the very concept of "give and you shall recieve" "be fluffy and receive fluffyness." these are merely my thoughts and findings, so please correct me if i'm wrong.

Yeah, I was thinking along those lines too. Beaker's perfectly happy in our house - he can come and go in and out of his cage as he pleases and sees it as his personal space, kind of like his bedroom. He'll come over and sit with me if I'm eating (although he rarely tries to eat my food, which is odd) and he'll often sit with Mrs Pants on the sofa if he wants a tickle. He's been hand raised since birth (hatch?), so he's about as domestic an animal as you're likely to find. Unfortunately, if we have to go away for a week it means he has to spend much of his time alone in his cage, and he sulks for days after we return. We're lucky that our neighbour has parrots because she's happy to come in and talk to him and let him out while we're away, but a lot of people are scared of birds (especially bitey ones) and so I doubt we'll be that lucky after we leave.

On the other hand, Mrs Pants has a rabbit, Fudge. Fudge spends about 2/3 of his time outside in a 4x2' hutch. The rest is spent in the living room in a pen sort of affair. Being a rabbit I expect he'd like to have a good run around, but we can't let him roam the house because he chews things (like the cable of my last Razer Diamondback), and we can't let him run outside because he might leg it. He seems happy enough, and he's hand reared too so he's comfortable around us, but I can't help but think it's not fair to have him so confined.

cashy · Post by **cashy** » February 19th, 2007, 13:17

Hamsters are small fat balls of fluff that dont make much mess and dont smell all that bad. Nuff said

friznit · Post by **friznit** » February 19th, 2007, 13:37

I'm not to bothered either way, though I've grown up with dogs in the house and never cats. Personally I own a horse, though he's a working animal and doesn't get 'petted' and like my last one, if he doesn't work he gets a nine mil sleeping pill.

Post by **Dr. kitteny berk** » February 19th, 2007, 14:14

Cats, because you know where you stand, they will try to kill you, but never manage it.

Stoat · Post by **Stoat** » February 19th, 2007, 14:22

I think I already answered this on the Wii Everybody Votes Channel.
Although Nintendo haven't yet implemented an automatic WERD option.

Woo Elephant Yeah · Post by **Woo Elephant Yeah** » February 19th, 2007, 14:28

I love the idea of a parrot, but don't they shit everywhere like most birds?

Also, what stops them from flying out the open window/door?

That 5punky parrot pic is awesome by the way *adds to desktop background at work*