The puppy boxes are more low-tech than the bird and fish receptacles, however. Each group of thoroughbred cats and dogs is in it's own crystal container, heated with hot water bottles made of old Stolichnaya and Pepsi containers. The thoroughbreds in the boxes look comfortable and contented, and seem to know that they are in a more privileged position than the dogs and cats stuffed into coat breasts. The market actually has stages. Outside the main gate is a line of ordinary citizens hoping to turn a small profit from their pets' amorous indiscretions.
People stand about talking, each with the head of a tiny cat or dog protruding from their lapels.
Animals range from lethargic, to complaining to simply cold. Thoroughbreds and mutts intermix, but papers are rare, and this is the cheapest section of the market. Inside are professional dealers in thoroughbred dogs and cats, mostly displayed in their heated plexiglass containers. This section also includes various rodents like mice, rats, gerbils and hamsters. You can buy rainbow colored plastic exercise wheels for your rodent here, and view their optically interesting effect when in motion courtesy of an obligingly active demonstration gerbil.