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• Winter 2011/12

Archived Issues

Meet Allye! TAME's 11-year-old animal expert. She will be on hand to answer kids questions about pets. In this issue, however, we turn the tables and ask her a few!

T: Do you have any pets?
A: Yes like 12 of them.

T: What are they?
A: I have 2 dogs, a cat, a ferret, a fish, a turtle, a pony, and two birds.

T: Do you have pets that are just yours?
A: My ferret, Lucy, my betta fish, Rockstar, my cockatiel, Fred, and my turtle, Sheldon. I share the dogs and the cat with my parents.

T: Do you have to take care of your own animals?
A: Oh yes! I have to clean cages, feed and water them, play with them and bathe them.

T: What are a couple things you enjoy about your pets?
A: I love to watch my ferret, Lucy, play. I also love to sleep with my cat and watch my dog, Puck, play fetch - he's a Boston Terrier and sometimes he even does flips!

T: Have any of your pets ever done anything really funny?
A: Oh yes! My sled was in my house and it was sitting at the top of the stairs. I was at the bottom of the stairs at the time and Lucy came down riding on the sled. It was hilarious!

T: What do you want to be when you grow up?
A: Everyone asks me if I'm going to be a veterinarian, because I've always loved animals, but I really want to be a biologist.

T: Why?
A: Because I enjoy learning about unusual animals. I want to travel the world studying all sorts of wildlife.

T: If someone asked you what type of pet to get, what would you say?
A: It depends on where you live. Like, the size of your house and if you have a yard. Also, it matters how much time you have to play with a pet. If you have time and room, I would probably say, a dog. If you don't have much room or time, I think I would say a reptile or amphibian. If you have time, but not too much room, I would say maybe a ferret, a rabbit or a hamster. If you have food and a couch, I would say, a cat.

T: If you could, what wild animal would you tame?
A: Polar bear.

T: Why?
A: Because it would be weird to have a polar bear for a pet.

T: Is there any other type of critter you like?
A: Well, when I was younger, I loved bugs a lot.

T: Really? What kinds?
A: My favorites are the cool ones. I like giant walking sticks, praying mantises, and I still really like moths and butterflies. I like practically everything except pinchy beetles.

T: Would you have a snake for a pet?
A: Yes, a greentree boa or banana boa.

T: Are you scared of any animal?
A: No...Well, I use to be afraid of opossums, but not anymore.

T: Any final advice you would like to give to pet owners right now?
A: Play with your pets. I think it's sad when people don't take care of their pets and never let them play. Give your pets the care they need. And, before you get a pet, you should make sure you are going to play with them. Also, before you get a pet, you should know something about them and be able to give them a good, secure home.

Have a question for Allye?  Email her or mail to  
219 W Commercial St, Suite 104 -  Springfield, MO 65804