Here's the deal...

Over the last two years, JT has been on a mission to get a pet. An indoor pet. I have rebelled against the idea; our house is already a zoo with three primates. I did promise JT an indoor pet if Daddy gets called up for a military trip that's two months long or longer. At the time, John going on another trip seemed very unlikely.
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But here we are.
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I did talk him down from a dog (you gonna clean up after him?) or a cat (I'm allergic), and we settled on one of the following: Guinea pig, hamster or gerbil. I campaigned for the one with the shortest lifespan.
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JT figured out that these animals are nocturnal, and that means he'd have to listen to a squeaky exercise wheel all night. He came to me with a proposal:
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Can I trade the hamster for a video game instead?
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Sure, son! Sounds fair to me!
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We are both happy.

This animal? Don't let the photo fool you. This is one of those battery-operated toys from Cracker Barrel!