I live and work in the centre of London. I am out of the house most
weekends, and I don't really have much time to devote to walking dogs
or what have you. Rather a lot of the plants I buy die.

This seems to me like an ideal situation in which to buy a PET! So now
I'm on the hunt for a pet which doesn't require much attention. Being
a technologically-minded sort, it would be ideal if this pet also
required some pieces of useless technology (solar-powered digital
feeding machine, perhaps - that sort of thing). In return for this
complete lack of attention, I am happy for the pet not to bother
providing me with furry cuddling opportunities, or even really like me
particularly much.

So far my best idea is some sort of tropical fish (I don't mind having
several pets instead of one) or perhaps ants. Any other suggestions? I
am quite happy to invest a bit of time and effort in _learing_ about
whatever I end up with, mostly because I can do this surreptitiously
at work.

Any help appreciated,

pugwash75

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Clarification of Question by pugwash75-ga on 11 Jul 2005 08:53 PDT

Just a quickie - not been blown up, thanks for asking. I've read with
interest all the pet suggestions and I'm going to look into the ant
plan. Got to like that blue thing...

pug

A rattlesnake or any other highly venomous creature should do you just
fine. Have you given any thought to piranha.

HI Pug,
I was thinking of a snake too, before I got down to hardhat's comment.
 Don't know If I would take the trouble to import a rattler to
England, but they have the added feature over other snakes that they
can rattle.  Having grown up in rattlesnake country, I can assure you
that it is rather unique sound  - not quite:  I still start when I
hear a dry oak leaf scratching on the pavement.

I was thinking more about the great biblical significance that YOU
could project onto a serpent, kind of good for your character to be
ever-present in the face of your enemy.  But, of course, one would
hardly be furry and cuddly, but I understand that they are clean,
quiet and easy to care for.  You could raise mice to feed it, which
would take care of the soft, furry, and have your electronic device to
release food to them.

Myoarin

A tamagochi?

Owain

A friend of mine became quite fond of a hermit crab. Hermit crabs are
interesting to watch, and don't require a lot of maintenance. They
don't have any high-tech requirements that I know of, though.

I am an apartment dweller.  I own 2 chihuahua's.  They are WONDERFUL
for apartment living.  Mine are BOX TRAINED, so I am not a slave to
the front door... they don't eat much, and get all the exercise they
need running around the apartment.

They are very very loving and loyal, bonding to a single person, (or
two at most)... They don't yap as much as people think, only when
someone comes to the door.  When I take them with me, I put one in
each sleeve of my coat, I can sneak them anywhere!  Together, they
weigh less than 8 pounds...

Reference:

Chihuahua (2-6 lbs.)
http://www.seattlehumane.org/petcare/SmallBreeds.shtml
..."There are two types of Chihuahuas, shorthaired and longhaired.
Smaller than most cats, these dogs make great apartment companions.
Minimal exercise is needed, but a nice pillow and lap are required.
However, they can be very nervous with strangers and other animals.
Children and this breed do not always mix well. Chihuahuas are
sensitive to weather and noise and can be hard to train; they
sometimes make great candidates for a litter box..."

My chi's have given me much love and joy..  Good luck with your choice pugwash! 

~~Cynthia

Hi Pugwash75,
Excuse me for confusing you with Pugwashjw-ga (apologies to P-jw too).

There once was a commenter in London,
Who had a small (?) dog who was called Daisy,
The commenter fled 
(to Scotland, 'twas said)
So Daisy could need a new placy.

I have a friend who owns a turtle. Turtles tend to take care of
themselves quite well and are certainly not as "stuck up" as cats. If
you do some basic reading about them I they could be your ideal
choice.
DRK007

Regarding the ants, thinkgeek.com has a nice offer on an "space age ant habitat".
http://www.thinkgeek.com/cubegoodies/toys/6fd6/
Technology really doesn't get much more useless than this. ;)

I don't know if this applies to hermit crabs, but if you got bored
with him you could cook him. :-)

Sorry.

Have you thought about snails? Possibly even less responsive than a
hermit crab, but just as nice with garlic butter; it could prove quite
a lucrative little hobby or at least an interesting (conversation)
starter (!!!) for dinner parties.

Owain

Sorry, meant to say, hope you haven't been affected by the little
contretempses in London today.

I have the answer. The answer is; a person who does not want to take
care of an animal or have the time to take care of one should not get
an animal. Or you could get a native plant and put it outside where
you live and maybe God will grow it for you. Hope this helps.