Around the IGGPPC, we love our pets both real and digital. This month’s theme, Feed Me, Human! is an homage to our pets that exist in cyberspace. Somewhere between Pogs and Furbies, the “it” toy to have was the Tamagotchi. A keychain-sized digital pet that required love, attention, and care – and would die without them. These digital friends have adapted to our smartphone apps and exist in new games like Neopets, Animal Crossing, and  Pokemon Go. The IGGPPC staff are here to share a bit about their virtual critters and introduce some IRL pets too!

Summer

Did you have a digital pet toy as a kid?
Yes! I had a bunch of random cheap knock off ones (including a piece of toast?) and one Tamagotchi!

Do you have a digital pet now? Phone app or otherwise?
No!

Do you have a tangible pet? Tell us everything about them!
I have two kitties! Gawain and Bean. Gawain loves everyone and likes to sleep on my face. Bean is a precious cinnamon roll, but needs you to pay attention to her and loves to steal bread.

Steena

Did you have a digital pet toy as a kid?
My parents tried really hard to stay away from “fads” but they couldn’t stop me receiving an orange Tamagotchi for a birthday one year.

Do you have a digital pet now? Phone app or otherwise?
At the moment, no. I did have the plant pet app that you water by hydrating yourself!

Do you have a tangible pet? Tell us everything about them!
Two puppers and a cat. Drake has the saddest eyes, never learned to play, and just wants to sit near you. Elena joined the family in the hope that she would ease Drake’s separation anxiety. It didn’t work. She is DEVOTED to him but he could care less. She crosses her paws and is a LEANER. Parade has fancy baggy pants, meows “Hello,” and is nothing but a cuddle-bug.

Mafalda

Did you have a digital pet toy as a kid??
Yes!

Do you have a digital pet now? Phone app or otherwise?
Nope… Well, The Sims pets count???

Do you have a tangible pet? Tell us everything about them!
No.

 

Joanna

Did you have a digital pet toy as a kid?
No….but I had a whole bunch of Neopets when I got to college! I had a thing about having nothing but Cybunnies and I collected all of the paint brushes for them so I had the ghost one and the fairy one and…

Do you have a digital pet now? Phone app or otherwise?
I now have real pets that take up most of my pet-related energy. Unless you count my Pokemon. 😛

Do you have a tangible pet? Tell us everything about them!
I have two kitties!! Their names are Caspian and Leena and I’ve had them since they were very little. I adopted them almost exactly 13 years ago and they have gone everywhere with me, including moving across the country and even overseas. They frequently get more Instagram likes than me so I’ve given them their own profile where you can follow them and their shenanigans: @makewiththetuna

Jen

Did you have a digital pet toy as a kid?
I did! Hot pink Tamagotchi! I still have it somewhere….

Do you have a digital pet now? Phone app or otherwise?
I don’t. I’m tempted to download one of those apps but I’m afraid it’ll take up too much of my time.

Do you have a tangible pet? Tell us everything about them!
I do! A cat, brand new puppy, 2 turtles and fish! They keep me busy with feeding and cleaning schedules, but I love them all!

Kim

Did you have a digital pet toy as a kid?
Nope, I sure didn’t. Oh…wait, did one of the fast food places give them away as premiums at one point? *consults the googles…* I LIED! I did have one that I got from a kid’s meal! I don’t think it held my interest for very long.

Do you have a digital pet now? Phone app or otherwise?
Nope, I sure don’t. I don’t think I would get anything done!

Do you have a tangible pet? Tell us everything about them!
I don’t even have a “real” pet…I can barely take care of myself!

 

Kara

Did you have a digital pet toy as a kid?
Yes, a Tamagotchi who once turned into Bill Clinton, it was great.

Do you have a digital pet now? Phone app or otherwise?
No… Maybe I will start a new Neopets account.

Do you have a tangible pet? Tell us everything about them!
SADLY NO

 

Amanda

Did you have a digital pet toy as a kid?
Tamogatchi!

Do you have a digital pet now? Phone app or otherwise?
Does Tiny Tower count? I love my tiny people. Also Pokemon Go!

Do you have a tangible pet? Tell us everything about them!
2 dogs, 3 cats. Leia is my buddy, and Codex is a big baby. The cats are all chunky and lazy. 🙂

We would LOVE to see pictures of YOUR pets, whether they live on an app or your couch! Share pictures with us over on Instagram (@geekgirlpenpals) using the tag #IgglePets or find the IgglePets channel on our Discord server!