Regardless of the type of animal, each pet requires food, water, and a place to live. Photo by: Eric Burch
By Eric Burch
Plymouth High School students discuss their pets in depth. Whether the animals would be dogs, cats, gerbils, or horses, these pets have different requirements, different activities that they participate in, and different names.
Feeding dogs, petting the cat, and giving the gerbils new water are just a few of the activities that Plymouth High School students do on their free time.
“I want a pet turtle, shark, pet giraffe, a baby panda, and then a big dog,” said freshman Katelyn Berg. Other students have other opinions, like freshman Maeson Coffin. Coffin emphasizes that, “he wants to have a monkey as a pet.” Sophomore Anna Piazza said, “I would love to have a bunny! Also, I always want more kittens and maybe a puppy!” Between these three students, they have already come up with nine different animals they would like to have. This just goes to show that students’ opinions are very different when it comes to animals.
Despite a rocky start, this dog grew up to be a healthy beagle. Photo by: Eric Burch
All animals require food and water, and sometimes that is where the similarities stop. Sophomore Stephanie Boyle said that dogs require “a harness to go on walks, two leashes, a water and food dish, plenty of exercise and toys to play with!” Dogs and cats have different requirements. Junior Marissa Hill said her two cats and one dog require, “food, water, litter box, toys, love, and attention.” Certain animals can have different requirements. Some animals, like senior Kelsey Downey’s animals, need to take medication due to old age or because they have allergies.
When people buy a pet, they probably want to name it. Whether the dog is named Friedrich Matthew Farr Thornton Maxwelle the Third or Scruffy, the decision is the up to owner. Senior Holly Overmyer named her pets, “Elsa, Jamerson, Chuck, Mowgley, Willa, Ozwald, Olive, Chiquita, Barney, Tucker, Doey, Stormie, Snowy, Secily, Sophie, Stimey.” Those are cats, goats, dogs, rabbits and horses. Names could be original, or they could be completely classic. Junior Isabel Seago states that “my dogs names are Toby and Juliet, my cats name is Jack, and my bird’s name is Kamora.”
Not only do pets come in different sizes, shapes, and species, but they also come with different ages. Sophomore Nadia Baca says that she has had her dog for one year, while Piazza has cats that are about thirteen years old. Piazza also notes that the success to keeping a pet alive for so long is that a pet needs someone to give it love, attention, water, and food. While some students only have two cats as pets, others have a combination, like freshman Morganne Kviz. Kviz said that she has three different animals (two cats and one dog) that are three different ages.
Activities are an important aspect in a pet’s life. Sophomore Mariah Tepper said that she and her dog like to, “play, of course. [My dog] was in 4-H for dog obedience and got reserve grand champ in one of the events! I might do it again next year!” While some students have their dogs show in contest, others do not. For example, Alexis Dean does not show her dogs in 4-H. Junior Alexis Dean said that she likes to “take my dogs on walks.” Like Dean, freshman Roger Karr does not have his dog as a show dog. Karr explains that he often “[plays] outside, pets it, [and] gives it treats that it loves.” Karr goes onto mention what he thinks is the best thing about having a pet. He said that it “always feel like you have something to do.”
Cats are typical pets. To have an indoor cat, most households require food, water, a litter box, and cat toys. Photo contributed by: Callie Burch
As one can see, Plymouth High School’s students have opinions on what kind of pets they want to own, how much tender love and care that should given them, and what they require.