I've personally owned a lot of animals in my life. Hamsters, guinea pigs, cats, dogs, turtles, bunnies, geckos, a tarantula and I've watched fish, horses, goats, hens, and a sassy red macaw. One thing I've noticed about watching/raising these animals is, like their human counterparts, they have a routine and I'd like to stick to that routine. It helps sooth your absence while you're gone. I remember once I was watching a dog for a friend of the family and we woke up early every morning to go to the bathroom and play frisbee for about 30 minutes to an hour. I've watched a few pets with unique dietary needs. I don't want to just keep them from dying or trashing the house. I want to play and go for walks too.