Critter Care 101
Story by Jessica Bock
Does your pet anxiously await your return home or cringe when you touch it? Find out what type of pet owner you are by taking this quick and easy quiz and see where you stand when there are messes to clean up and pet supplies to buy.
1. When trying to decide what type of pet to get, you rely on:
a. Whatever your boyfriend or girlfriend wants. You let them make most of your decisions anyway.
b. The cheapest pet available, since you don't think you'll make rent this month.
c. Snap magazine - it makes everything easier.
2. It's Thursday night and you're heading out after a stressful week. But as you're just about to walk out the door, you notice that you don't see Goldy (your fish) in his bowl. Your next move is:
a. To look closer. After seeing the bowl is just really dirty, you decide to clean it first thing tomorrow morning.
b. Out the door. Forget the fish! Long Islands are only on special at Brothers for a limited time.
c. Clean the bowl immediately and thank God that Goldy is okay.
3. Your roommates are not fans of your pet snake so you decide to:
a. Let it lose in one of their rooms. They should have a nice surprise when they get into their bed that night.
b. Get rid of it.
c. Teach it tricks so it can impress them into liking it or constantly talk about how it never gives you any trouble and wouldn't hurt a mouse (unless it was dinnertime).
4. It's the one-year anniversary for you and your pet rat. You are:
a. Telling everyone how special the day is.
b. Forgetful. The thought never entered your mind.
c. At the bars. It's just a pet!
5. Money is really tight for you this month. In order for Fluffy to get her yearly shots, you:
a. Sell plasma. You'll do anything for Fluffy.
b. Skip it, she'll never know the difference.
c. Rearrange your bills so that you can afford it next month. Better late than never.
It's go time - find out what type of pet owner you are by calculating your score:
1.a -2 b-1 c-3
2.a-3 b-1 c-2
3.a-2 b-1 c-2
4.a-2 b-3 c-1
5.a-2 b-1 c-3
10-14 points - You have the right mind set about your pet, you understand that it needs to be taken care of and you are willing to do that without sacrificing too much of your life in the process.
6-10 points - Whoa! Do you have any human friends left? You care way too much and your pet is taking over your life. College students have busy lives and while it is important, minor details about your pet should not be your first priority.
5 points - Has the Humane Society been called on you yet? You have to realize that pets are living things that cannot be trampled on (or squashed in your roommates bed!). You need to re-evaluate yourself as a pet owner and caregiver - not everyone should be a petowner.