February 16, 2006

Students own variety of pets

Devin Lawrence

Some people have cats and dogs for pets, others have fish and birds. There are those people out there that have strange, goofy, or odd pets. These pets require special attention and care, such as special food or living quarters.  

People are willing to take on the extra responsibility to take care of these pets, but why? Maybe it is the thrill of having a pet that is different from anybody else’s cat or dog. Whatever the reason is, there are a plethora of  “different” pets among the student body at the school. From ferrets, to flying squirrels, to pythons, the bases are pretty much covered.

Senior Jessica Dow is the proud owner of a flying squirrel, more commonly known as a sugar glider.

“These little critters require a lot of attention and love,” said Dow.

“If they don’t get their fruit at night they get fussy and make chirping noises,” she continued.

Freshman, Cassie Osterman, owns a ferret. Osterman acquired the ferret from her aunt. Frisky is very energetic and often times, ninja-like. Frisky also has very sensitive skin, so she has to be careful when she handles and bathes him.

Junior, Cory Gallimore has a strange member in his family. Like most families the Gallimore’s have a cat, but theirs is no ordinary cat - it is part bobcat.

“I hate the cat because it has a problem with using the bathroom in the house,” said Gallimore.

Sophomore, Casey Merrill also has an interesting family member, Pete   the iguana. Casey enjoys the   company of her iguana and thinks that      he is very cute. She had always wanted an iguana as a pet and was ecstatic when the family got one.

“Most people see Pete and think that because he’s scary looking, he is automatically mean, but he really isn’t. He’s actually very sweet,” said Merrill.

Like Casey Merrill, senior, Matt Albritton also has a cold blooded, reptilian friend. Matt has an Albino Burmese Python.

Albritton described the snake as being about six feet long, and is white and yellow. He received the snake as a present for his eighteenth birthday. The snake eats live rats.

“I really like my snake because it is different than anyone else’s pets that I know, plus how many