What if squirrels were man's favorite pet? Would people have tiny squirrel leashes to walk their beloved pets? Would we keep them in cages or let them roam free in our homes? And most importantly, would they start answering to names like Fido or Fluffy?
First, let's talk about the pros of having a squirrel as a pet. They are cute, they are furry and they have those beautiful beady eyes that could potentially steal the heart of anyone who interacts with them. Plus, they are known to have quite the personality. I mean, have you ever seen a squirrel run up and down a tree, chase its own tail or store acorns for the winter?
If squirrels were pets, there might be some species breeding to get the "best" squirrel. Can you imagine the demand for the rare albino squirrels? There's no doubt that these little creatures would be the new talk of the town and everyone would want one.
Squirrels are known to be intuitive and intelligent animals. Train your pet squirrel and they could be bringing you your newspaper in the morning. Think about it, instead of getting up from your bed to get the paper, your pet squirrel could do it for you. But that's not all, they could potentially learn to do other things too like fetching your slippers or even brewing your morning coffee. We could have squirrel personal assistants!
Of course, owning a squirrel might not be all sunshine and rainbows. Firstly, where do you take them for a walk? Squirrels are generally known to climb trees, run primitively, and gather nuts. It could get difficult finding an outdoor space for them to play in. They also have a natural tendency to bite, so it's not a good idea to have them around young children or elderly people.
Additionally, owning a pet squirrel could become expensive. They require a particular diet, including a variety of nuts, fruits, and berries. A bird feeder wouldn't suffice, these pets need more than seed to feed their taste buds. In fact, there could be a new line of snacks developed exclusively for pet squirrels.
Imagine going to the vet for their annual checkup, only to find out that they need braces or corrective surgery for their overlong incisors. Uniclamp (a dental brace for rodents) might become the go-to for pet squirrels with crooked teeth. We could be dealing with rodents with perfect teeth!
Another issue that could arise would be squirrel escaping. The pet squirrel could easily climb out of a window or fence, making it difficult to keep track of their whereabouts. It's a possible eye-sore that nobody wants to deal with; catching a glimpse of a “wild” squirrel darting through the neighbourhood could lead to panic. Imagine having to chase after a squirrel, maybe that would become part of an exercise routine – squirrel chasing?
A pet squirrel could easily become collateral damage, especially in a city where traffic and high-rise buildings are common. It's essential to consider the welfare of these pets outside houses or apartments. On the flip side, squirrel crossings or road signs might be developed to lessen the number of accidental deaths.
Moreover, our squirrel pets could potentially replace the need for a guard dog. Intruders will have no chance of evasion when faced by a furry little squirrel army guarding their territory. In fact, if the squirrels were well-trained, they could even attack on command. It’s entirely plausible for them to have their gains in the army recruitment field!
All in all, having squirrels as pets could have its benefits and disadvantages. It could be a fun and exciting addition to the pet world. But it's not without its faults, and we would have to be careful and mindful of how we care for our new furry friends. All this being said, if squirrels were man's favorite pet, we would undoubtedly learn to adapt to their quirks, just as they would learn to accept their new role as pets and companion animals.
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