Ask HN: what's a good pet for the working programmer? • Hacker News Board

Re: Ask HN: what's a good pet for the working programmer?

#11

Post by jawngee » Sat, Oct 17, 2009, 7:09 AM UTC

Cat for sure.

Kittens need a lot of attention though, as do strays you've adopted. But they are the lowest maintenance of any pets.

Dogs are great but are like having developmentally disabled children; they require a lot of attention, patience and forgiveness.

And it is possible to find a cat with a lot of dog like qualities. I had an awesome cat who passed away unexpectedly a couple of years ago that was pretty much a dog. He liked to be walked (on a harness) outside, loved water, playing fetch and other things. He turned a lot of my anti-cat friends into cat owners, he was that kind of awesome. RIP Johnny.

Re: Ask HN: what's a good pet for the working programmer?

#12

Post by gaius » Sat, Oct 17, 2009, 7:10 AM UTC

yannis wrote: post #5

Just to state the obvious a Penthouse Pet will probably be the best option, since you living alone (might be high maintenance though). Second best I would recommend a cyborg beetle http://discovermagazine.com/2009/may/30-the-pentagons-beetle... Third best will be a cat as long as you understand that you can never own a cat, she will own you.

I once told this girl I didn't really think of her as a person, more as an exotic pet (because it was true, I did). She wasn't happy about that.

Re: Ask HN: what's a good pet for the working programmer?

#13

Post by yason » Sat, Oct 17, 2009, 7:12 AM UTC

Long walks are definitely good for a programmer who works quite long hours smoetimes.

Re: Ask HN: what's a good pet for the working programmer?

#14

Post by novum » Sat, Oct 17, 2009, 7:13 AM UTC

Hamsters are the best. I had several growing up.

They're personable - you can "cage-train" them and they learn not to bite. They're hilarious when they roll around in their ball -- and remember to cover your stairs! They do the cutest thing with stuffing food into their cheeks. You can easily build elaborate living environments for them using cheap tubing.

You do have to change their cage at least once a week, but it's easy - dump it out and pour in new mulch.

Think of the cheeks.

Re: Ask HN: what's a good pet for the working programmer?

#15

Post by thechangelog » Sat, Oct 17, 2009, 7:19 AM UTC

If you're getting something small and furry, like a rat or rabbit or hamster, be sure to get two and give them some living space. If you're not able to give them a lot of time, at least let them socialize with their own kind.

We had one rabbit, then two, and the difference in the original rabbit's (OR) personality after getting the second was unbelievable.

Re: Ask HN: what's a good pet for the working programmer?

#16

Post by jonke » Sat, Oct 17, 2009, 7:19 AM UTC

Well I don't think that you really should get a 'pet' (yet). Maybe you could use setup a Cichlid Aquarium http://cichlid.infocrux.com/Cichlid-Aquarium.html, http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/cichlid/first.php

If you need something more fury there always are hamsters. http://www.hamsterific.com/SelectingAHamster.cfm

(For the record, I have the highest-maintenance sort of pets, three kids, who all want additional pets)

Re: Ask HN: what's a good pet for the working programmer?

#17

Post by CaptainMorgan » Sat, Oct 17, 2009, 7:22 AM UTC

Given your parameters, I highly suggest a cat, fish or both. When programming, I've found that my companion of a cat (two tiger striped male and female, 6 yrs and 4 yrs old) are fantastic mood enhancers, that is when they're not crying like babies for food. Barely any maintenance when compared to a dog, but the only downside for me personally is cleaning the litter box (could always get the automatic litter box that cleans itself), but it's extremely necessary if you expect your pet to be clean, which translates to a more hygienic living space for you too.

Fish are also great mood enhancers but can be a bit more work in my opinion than cats, at least for the initial setup and routine tank cleaning. But overall - just sitting back, reflecting on some code while staring at the fish tank has worked wonders for me producing small epiphanies.

Re: Ask HN: what's a good pet for the working programmer?

#18

Post by weaksauce » Sat, Oct 17, 2009, 7:22 AM UTC

jawngee wrote: post #11

Cat for sure. Kittens need a lot of attention though, as do strays you've adopted. But they are the lowest maintenance of any pets. Dogs are great but are like having developmentally disabled children; they require a lot of attention, patience and forgiveness. And it is possible to find a cat with a lot of dog like qualities. I had an awesome cat who passed away unexpectedly a couple of years ago that was pretty much…

I have a cat that I took in that is just like that too! It cracks me up when she plays catch and brings the ball back.

I agree with jawngee that a cat is the way to go. The problem with adopted cats is that if the cats do not get human interaction when they are fairly small most times they will not grow to be very affectionate. They will not be mean but they will be very nontrusting of people in general. Also, kittens will chew cords that are around them so you will probably lose a few corded devices that you forgot to hide. Though, they do seem to grow out of this trait as far as I can tell.

Good luck!

Re: Ask HN: what's a good pet for the working programmer?

#19

Post by weaksauce » Sat, Oct 17, 2009, 7:24 AM UTC

CaptainMorgan wrote: post #17

Given your parameters, I highly suggest a cat, fish or both. When programming, I've found that my companion of a cat (two tiger striped male and female, 6 yrs and 4 yrs old) are fantastic mood enhancers, that is when they're not crying like babies for food. Barely any maintenance when compared to a dog, but the only downside for me personally is cleaning the litter box (could always get the automatic litter box that…

You could always teach your cats how to defecate in the toilet. (don't teach them how to flush though as they will continually flush to the chagrin of your water bill and mother nature.)

Re: Ask HN: what's a good pet for the working programmer?

#20

Post by tyrmored » Sat, Oct 17, 2009, 7:28 AM UTC

jawngee wrote: post #11

Cat for sure. Kittens need a lot of attention though, as do strays you've adopted. But they are the lowest maintenance of any pets. Dogs are great but are like having developmentally disabled children; they require a lot of attention, patience and forgiveness. And it is possible to find a cat with a lot of dog like qualities. I had an awesome cat who passed away unexpectedly a couple of years ago that was pretty much…

Upvote for cat. Cats have the hacker nature, after all. :)