Virtual Desktop Pets

In this age of computers and Internet, we are a part of two worlds at the same time. One is the real world we live in, while the other is the virtual one. One is the world we run from, while the other is the world that we run to! Yes! Bored, distressed and depressed with the worries of this real world, many seek refuge in the virtual world where they can live with an entirely different identity. Most of those addicted to the virtual world, have multiple personalities; one (or many?) for the real world and one (or many) for the virtual one.

If circumstances do not allow you to own a pet in real life, fulfill your dream of pet adoption in your virtual life. Adopt a virtual desktop pet! Choosing a wallpaper for your desktop or choosing a desktop theme of your choice, is like painting the walls of your room with your favorite colors. Choosing different background colors for your screen is meant to change the look and feel of your desktop, and thereby, bring a change to your 'e-life'. Similarly, virtual desktop pet adoption is meant to satisfy one's craving to get home a pet to care for.

Virtual desktop pets are available as free downloads on a number of websites. Some virtual pet adoption sites require you to register to be a virtual pet owner. What can you do with virtual desktop pets? Well! You can do everything that you would with real ones. You can feed your desktop pet, bathe it, take it for a 'virtual' walk and groom it to make it look different from the rest! Interestingly, you can even see it grow.

Virtual desktop pets are the result of software programming and animation. Virtual pets look close-to-real, thanks to the creative animators who bring out the cartoon characters so well and help in making them appear like real pets. What are the different animals available as virtual pets? Well! You can adopt cats and dogs, birds, cute and cuddly bears, elephants, hamsters and even earth worms and fish. Some virtual pet providers feature strange or funny creatures and cartoon characters that can be adopted as pets. Virtual pets are interactive and are programmed to respond to mouse activities and keyboard inputs. These cute pets 'sit' on your desktop screen and react to cursor movements. They may be programmed to produce sound as a response to certain activities on the screen. Imagine, a virtual cat mewing at you when you click on its nose! Or imagine a virtual hamster jumping, the moment you open a folder on your desktop! Sounds interesting, doesn't it?

According to some; virtual pets are an excellent alternative to real ones, as they do not occupy much (real) space, do not require real food and do not need to be taken for a walk everyday. Moreover, you do not have to spend your time and energy on them. But, others pity those who take pride in owning virtual pets. They do not believe that cyber pets can compensate for real ones. There are still many, who yearn for the unconditional love of real-life pets.

What is your opinion about virtual desktop pets? Do you feel, they can be a substitute for real ones? While thinking about them, I wondered if there might be a day when pet animals will access the web and adopt virtual owners! That's too hi-tech to be true!