what's a good pet for the working programmer?
jonke: Well I don't think that you really should get a 'pet' (yet).
Maybe you could use setup a Cichlid Aquarium  
http://cichlid.infocrux.com/Cichlid-Aquarium.html,
http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/cichlid/first.phpIf you need something more fury there always are hamsters.
http://www.hamsterific.com/SelectingAHamster.cfm(For the record, I have the highest-maintenance sort of pets, three kids, who all want additional pets)