When they saw Ellis, my new BP, my friends asked what tricks he could do. Apparently to them, pets are only worthy insofar as they can perform for us.

My girlfriend's father recently suggested we purchase an African Grey Parrot, because of their intelligence. This implies that the value of a pet is somehow dependent upon how smart it is.

What is wrong with these people? Or, to put it in a nicer way, I am shocked at what a different sense these people have of what pets are.

I appreciate Ellis just for being a snake, and that is enough for me.

As we are all reptile owners/enthusiasts here, I just wanted to share these thoughts, and hear what others have to say on this topic of why we have pets and what they mean to us. I am also curious about how people who have mammalian pets as well balance the so-called "rewarding" relationship afforded by more "intelligent" animals with the keeper/caretaker role they share with their reptilian buddies.