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

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

#71

Post by mark_l_watson »

I have a small Myers Parrot - he is most of the time pretty cool, although he occasionally de-evolves into a miniature raptor. I usually work out of my home office, and he is usually happy enough sitting on my shoulder while I work.

Parrots are not low maintenance though, requiring lots of attention. I took yesterday afternoon off work and my wife and I took my parrot to a local park (Sedona Red Rock Crossing - google it, then click images, you will be glad you did :-)

Anyway, my bird was so happy getting a ride in the car (he loves the car) and a few hours in the park, that he will be a "good boy" for a day or two.

The point of this little story is: parrots are good pets if you give them lots of attention and don't let them get too bored (they are reasonably intelligent).

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

#72

Post by JustAGeek »

drp wrote: post #50
JustAGeek wrote: post #36

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Cat, agreed. However, if you leave it alone a lot and if it can't be let out, then you need two cats so there's always somebody to play with and the cat doesn't get bored causing it to develop odd behavior. As for the sex of the cat, I'd suggest tomcats. If female cats get in heat, it'll get quite annoying for both you and the cat and the only way out is sterilization. It's a routine operation, yet much more invasive…

Are you kidding? Unless you're a breeder it's socially irresponsible not to fix your pets.

Huh? I think you've misunderstood me, I'm the same opinion as you. However, my point is that "fixing" a tomcat is much less of a trouble for the cat then spaying for a female cat, so instead of getting a female cat you should get a tomcat.

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

#73

Post by colbyolson »

axod wrote: post #39
tyrmored wrote: post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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

Going round neighbors houses 'hacking' meals by attacking bins causing racket all night? 'hacking' the toilet by simply doing it in neighbors gardens? 'hacking' their scratching urges by hacking random trees, railings, decking etc to bits in neighbors gardens? Do not like. :) I'd love to setup some automated webcam -> nerf gun system to automatically hit any cat in the head if they enter my property. Maybe a project…

When you do make one, send another my way. I could so something like that around here.

Nothing like being woken up at 3am to two cats duking it out. Or having you garden ruined because the neighborhood cats like to poop there.

Very irritating.

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

#74

Post by colbyolson »

araneae wrote: post #52
shard wrote: post #46

Earlier quoted context omitted.

My cornsnake fits the OP's description (well I think he's cute even if my wife doesn't), is smaller than a python when full grown (5' last I measured, about a half dollar diameter), learned 1 trick (which was one more than I expected), and is much lower maintenance than the dogs and cats (and even fish) I had previously.

And plus you get to watch them eat, which can be pretty cool even if you feed them frozen (once I warmed the mouse up, wiggled it around, and my cornsnake attacked with such vigor that there was a smear of blood against the cage.) I really want to know what this one trick was.

Shedding?

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

#76

Post by guitarjunkie »

cperciva wrote: post #9

I am owned by a cat. He generally sits quietly and doesn't interrupt while I'm working, and has learned to leave cables alone; however, he often wakes me up in the middle of the day to demand that food be presented or doors be opened. Overall, however, I'd rather be owned by a cat than have some other animal around.

"wakes me up in the middle of the day". that's awesome.

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

#77

Post by codnik »

Cat. I have five. No need to go for a walk, won't disturb you, will use the litter box on their own (you don't have to teach them to do that)... Just adopt an adult cat. Two of my cats were adopted already grown and they're just as affectionate as the others (which is greatly affectionate, btw). It really comes from their personalities plus your input. Don't forget to neuter/spay the cat.

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

#78

Post by gvb »

araneae wrote: post #52
shard wrote: post #46

Earlier quoted context omitted.

My cornsnake fits the OP's description (well I think he's cute even if my wife doesn't), is smaller than a python when full grown (5' last I measured, about a half dollar diameter), learned 1 trick (which was one more than I expected), and is much lower maintenance than the dogs and cats (and even fish) I had previously.

And plus you get to watch them eat, which can be pretty cool even if you feed them frozen (once I warmed the mouse up, wiggled it around, and my cornsnake attacked with such vigor that there was a smear of blood against the cage.) I really want to know what this one trick was.

Disappearing. Unfortunately, shard is still waiting for him to learn the reciprocal trick. :-D

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

#79

Post by jrockway »

scotch_drinker wrote: post #54

If you think any pet is low maintenance, you are confused. Even cats, the lowest of the cute and cuddly variety, are notoriously high maintenance. You have to change litter boxes regularly or they will find new places you can't get to. They are mainly nocturnal and will often want to be fed at 4AM. They scratch furniture. Mind you, my wife and I have four and I love them but they are not low maintenance. All pets req…

You don't have to do any of this. You can leave food out for them (which is what I do), and you can use clumping litter, which involves about 30 seconds of scooping a day. Then you will have a happy cat that only annoys you when she wants to sleep on your face.

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

#80

Post by anamax »

gaius wrote: post #42
scotth wrote: post #38

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What made you think of her that way?

Because I would do all the logistics and she would approve or disapprove. Also, she spent a lot of time preening. We had fun, mind, it just wasn't very scalable.

> We had fun, mind, it just wasn't very scalable.

How much "fun" did you have in mind? 2, 3, 100?

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