magicant

In that pigtail-pulling, cootie-avoiding way.

merider1

Is there any other way?

merider1

Well, the problem I've had with these types of pets are socializing and training. I could never get mine to obey and stay when I told them to. They also have huge appetites and pee where they aren't supposed to. I did enjoy the "disciplining" sessions and didn't mind the grooming, petting and slobbering, but I'm still thinking that a hedgehog will be much less maintenance.

2manybikes

I'm surprised no one mentioned rats. They might meet all your requirements, some one else would have to give you more information on the extreme heat. However, we had a couple, they had no special temperature needs in the summer. Ours would sit on your shoulder and watch TV. They wanted to be with you, they would climb to your shoulder and stay. You can pet them, they act as if they are glad to see you. You can leave them in the cage quite a while. They have soft fur. They are funny sometimes.
My kids loved them. They don't live very long though. They adapt well to the environment, that's why the non domesticated version is doing so well. The pet store ones come in colors. They may be the best to adapt to your needs.

Hedgehogs are not much fun. It's easy to get pricked. They don't do much.

merider1

Rats were a consideration except they only live 2-3 years. By the time I get attached to one, it's dead.

Hedgehogs are very friendly and actually quite smart.

Don't be hatin' on the hedgy!

tombunn

bummer

DaveSANYYZ

I don't think it'll even last a year:
https://www.bikeforums.net/showpost.p...5&postcount=65

You need something that's already dead!!!

ronjon10

If you (or anyone) wants a rat or 3, I've got plenty of them at my place, free for the taking. Just let me know.

bitingduck

Ducks can live up to 30 years as pets.

You don't want them in the apartment though-- you have to put diapers on them and change them regularly.

they are soft and cuddly though, except when they're biting you.

Cleave

Hi ME,

I picked other. I'm surprised that no one has mentioned a bird.

I had never thought of being a bird owner until my son got a cockatiel. (Ours looks very much light the photo in the top-right corner of the page.)

Surprisingly, we have taught him to say a few phrases and he can be very affectionate. He can also be demanding at times but not more than some cats that I've owned.

The only issue for you may be the "dust" that they produce. We keep a little hand vac near the cage and he is not bothered by the vacuum noise at all. I have moderate hayfever and I haven't been bothered by his dust at all.

Hope this helps.

btographer

Get the remote control parrot from Target. Bought it for my kids; the perfect pet, you can teach it to talk and turn off the switch when you are tired of hearing it.

merider1

tarantulas and ducks...hmmm

I'm thinking you and I are not seeing eye to eye on this whole pet thing, Duck.

2manybikes

We have owned a couple of hedgy's. The rats are a lot more active and entertaining. And easy to pick up. And don't need as clean a cage as the hedgehog. Yeah, the rats die young.

magicant

I think you totally need a Corgi in goggles that can travel on your bike with you. Just like someone else I've seen...

merider1

Thanks, Cleave, but my pulmonary specialist said I might as well throw all my asthma medication away if I get a bird. They're worse than cats in that department!

Otherwise, I'd love a bird. We had parrots growing up and they were very loving.

merider1

You had a hedgy!!!! Oh, you didn't like it? Were you mean to your hedgy and he put his quills up?

merider1

no

merider1

Well, I had a pet spider the other night until I killed him trying to capture him in a glass to put him outside. He was huge and nervous and on my bathroom sink. I noticed him just as I turned the water on. I ran and got a glass. I told him, "Okay, spidey, get in the glass and you live. Don't and you're dead." He seemed to get it, started to get in the glass but when I started to moved back from the sink, he jumped out, landed just above the water and started sliding down (which means, he'd drown, of course), so I slammed the glass down to stop him from sliding and severed three of his legs. At that point, I just let him go down the sink drain (to end his suffering) and started crying.

I really didn't mean to kill him.


Yeah, I am a nut case and I really shouldn't be allowed to own a pet.

magicant

C'mon!! If I got a pet, I'd want one just like Bailey!!

merider1

If you got a pet, I'd come pet it.

Now, get a pet!!!!

2manybikes

I never knew if he thought I was mean to him. I didn't ask. But all the other animals liked me.
I even owned a hedge !

I had to pick one of them up when it was in a ball every time. Not good.

Get a horse and keep him on a farm in another place with someone to
"take care of him" = (take alll your money).

bitingduck

You could always just come over and take care of my pets.

It would be useful to have a part time zookeeper...

merider1

I was reading that you do have to be careful picking them up.

A horse is not an option as I do not have that kind of money. I'd just buy a child instead if I had that kind of dough lying around.

2manybikes

merider1

Ever since you told me that your tarntulas had babies on it's back, I pretty much figured I'd never ask to come over to pet the duck. Sorry, but the spiders are where I draw the "I want to pet it" line.