I started playing Petville on Facebook. At first, it wasn’t very intriguing. You first choose the pet you want. I chose a dog and called him, creatively, Doggy. You can go visit a neighbor and have your pet socialize while you clean up the house for coins. Wish I could do that in the real world and make money from my friends.

My doggy and I returned home and I cleaned up my own home (picking up more coins). I fed my dog an orange that lasted 24 hours. And that was about it.

A few days later I remembered and went back to see what was up. He was taken to the pound after he ran away, where I had to pay to get him back. No other option except the one button forcing me to pay. Okay, I’m a little cruel. I repeated said actions again, and left him alone.

After neglecting him yet again, he’s in the hospital, and I was forced to pay again to get him back. Come back in two days when I remember and hear this story again.

Obviously, I’m not interested in this game enough to constantly play it. I have real things in my life to do during the day. Taking care of a virtual pet that I have to turn my computer on for is not high on the list. But I come back because I still care about this virtual pet.

Does this show badly on how I would handle a real pet? Probably not (the first sign of denial?). A real dog would be at the door waiting for me when I walked in. I would be reminded by his presence that food, water, or love was needed. My virtual pet just doesn’t give the same signal in my brain.

I should probably set my phone to remind me in 23 hours to go back and visit my virtual pet. That way I can demonstrate I am a responsible human who cares for all beings, real or virtual.