Renting? You should be, because apparently more of us are renting as falling house prices and slack demand drags down Western civilisation.So if you are in your studio-based bedsit hovel, or a luxury five-bed pad, do you regret that stipulation of no children (not really), no DSS (probably not) and no pets (sob)? How many times have you thought that life would be more complete with a furry little friend from another species, only to be thwarted by the landlord/managing agent combination?

Gifts for renters pining for companionship dont get any better than an animatronic Guinea Pig.To some, he may be little more than a battery compartment with a small wig, but to many he could be a friend and companion for life or at least until the landlord comes for an inspection. Some of these cyborg rodents are really advanced with all sorts of electronic wizardry to make them truly interactive virtual pets and not just brilliant gifts for women, who as we all know have a soft spot for small furry things.

Some have sensors in the eyes (the rodents, not women of course!) so they can shuffle about the place without bumping into things, which is probably more than you could manage after a few Stellas! Some are scarily real for what are fundamentally toys. They have different moods and if you don't play with them they get lonely and scared and hide in a dark place.

Some react to voices and sounds and come running when you call and theres even some that you have to feed with their own special carrot.Aside from those slightly freaky, Rise of the Machines attributes, animatronic animals are the perfect rental pet - no litter, no pee or poop behind the sofa, no scattered sawdust and easily put in a cupboard when the landlord comes to call.Oh yea, and when you go on extended holiday they dont die on you either!