Let's face it -- cats don't care about you unless you bring them food. Fish are perfectly happy as long as your fingers drop pellets into the water each day. And hamsters hardly need mere humans when they have the wonderful spinning wheel. Dogs, on the other hand, love to be around humans as much as humans love to be around dogs. They'll sit with you on the couch, follow you into the kitchen -- especially if you have food -- sleep with you at night and serve as your co-pilot on rides. They just want to please their owners, and their friendly attitude goes a long way in helping them succeed. If you're worried about your carbon footprint, it’s better to own a cat than a dog. A 2009 study found that the resources needed to feed a dog over the course of its life create the same eco-footprint as that of a Land Cruiser. Meanwhile, cats—which eat less in general and are more likely to eat fish than corn- or beef-flavored products—only have the approximate carbon footprint of a small hatchback. Dogs and cats make great pets. They’re certainly some of the most popular kinds of animals. However, they are also some of the most expensive and time-consuming animals to have at home. They require a lot of exercise, playtime, and training. Some family members may have allergies, and basic care can cost well over a thousand dollars a year. Plus, many apartments or condominiums don’t allow certain kinds of animals. Here is the Easyology Pets list of great pets that aren’t cats or dogs.
Rabbits Rabbits are fluffy and cute, but don’t need quite as much attention as a dog or cat. They’re a great pet for anyone who wants something fluffy but works long hours or isn’t home a lot during the day. For the most part, rabbits can keep themselves occupied. However, they do need time and space to roam and hop around to get some exercise. Their cages need cleaning regularly, and they will likely chew furniture and charging cables when roaming. They also eat hay, so make sure that no one in the house is allergic before getting a rabbit. Rabbits can live up to ten years, so know that it’s a long-term commitment.
Fish
Fish are perfect for apartment dwellers and renters. They take up very little space and can even live in self-cleaning tanks. You can have anything from a large tank or a small fishbowl. There are lots of colors and species of fish to choose from. They’re simple to care for and are a good first pet for kids. You will need to remember to feed them every day and change the water fairly regularly. Even self-cleaning tanks need to be cleaned by hand every once in a while. Plus, fish are good for anyone with allergies.
Hamsters Hamsters are small and fluffy, but they’re not exactly cuddly. They are low-maintenance pets that don’t require a lot of attention, and can be fairly active inside their cages. A simple wheel or some tubes can keep a hamster occupied. Hamsters are nocturnal, so they’re most active at night. This isn’t always the best thing if you have trouble sleeping. They only live one to three years, so they’re not great if you’re looking for a long-term pet.
Birds
There are many species and varieties of birds to choose from, so there is a bird for pretty much every lifestyle. Parrots are fun and can talk and mimic owner’s words (so watch what you say!). Parakeets and canaries are smaller but no less fun. Birds form strong bonds with their owners. However, pet birds can live for a very long time—sometimes three decades or more. Be ready to commit to a lifelong pet if you’re considering getting a bird.
Turtles Turtles can be kept in small tanks, but they thrive best in more natural environments, such as outdoors in a pond. You can buy turtle food at a pet store, but they prefer to eat live things like snails and worms. Like birds, a pet turtle can live between twenty-five and fifty years, depending on the species and how well it’s cared for. Be ready to keep a turtle for life if you do decide to get one.
1838-42 - British forces invade, install King Shah Shujah. He is assassinated in 1842. British and Indian troops are massacred during retreat from Kabul.
1878-80 - Second Anglo-Afghan War. A treaty gives Britain control of Afghan foreign affairs.
1919 - Emir Amanullah Khan declares independence from British influence.
1926-29 - Amanullah tries to introduce social reforms, which however stir civil unrest. He flees.
ADVERTISEMENT
1933 - Zahir Shah becomes king and Afghanistan remains a monarchy for next four decades.
1953 - General Mohammed Daud becomes prime minister. Turns to Soviet Union for economic and military assistance. Introduces social reforms, such as abolition of purdah (practice of secluding women from public view).
1963 - Mohammed Daud forced to resign as prime minister.
1964 - Constitutional monarchy introduced - but leads to political polarisation and power struggles.
1973 - Mohammed Daud seizes power in a coup and declares a republic. Tries to play off USSR against Western powers.
1978 - General Daud is overthrown and killed in a pro-Soviet coup. The People's Democratic Party comes to power but is paralysed by violent infighting and faces opposition by US-backed mujahideen groups.
