With the many highs and lows of high school, it becomes important to have support at home. A great source of comfort for many students is their pets. But not all students find their daily dose of serotonin in the usual dogs and cats; some find it in more unique places.
“I adopted my hedgehog Lily at a flea market many years ago,” freshman Abigail Hernandez said.
“I asked for my snake Patches for Christmas,” junior Alexi Oldfield said.
“I got my pig Isabela on my 10th birthday, and my dad brought in a little box in the middle of the night,” freshman Eleyse Starkman said.
These meet-cutes all reflect how even unconventional pets bear similarities to more accepted household animals. Just like any other pets, they have distinct quirks and behaviors that make them who they are, all while sharing a foundation of joy.
All animals have their strengths.
“I love that she knows who she is, she knows her name and she’s very strict about her bedtime, so when once it hits seven … she starts honking at us to open the door for her room,” Starkman said.
Nonetheless, their quirks still shine through..
“She’s very cuddly, but she pees on me sometimes, ” Hernandez said.
While some of these characteristics may seem like drawbacks, these traits only show that it is not about the animal, but rather about the bond. Many students with these unique pets learn that love and connection look the same regardless of species.
“Most people are a bit scared,” Oldfield said. “But, it’s a lot different. I mean, animals like dogs, obviously, you have to care for them pretty much every day. You feed them every day, and you have to let them outside and stuff, but the snake is pretty easy. I mean, I feed him every two weeks, and he just stays in his tank. It’s not as demanding.”
From hedgehogs to pigs and snakes, these animals remind us that the definition of a “normal pet” is not just about appearances. Regardless of whether it is a hedgehog with an uncontrolled bladder, a pig with a strict bedtime or a misunderstood snake, these animals bring structure and comfort during some of their owners’ most chaotic years of life. What truly matters is not the species of the pet but the connection that makes them feel more supported and loved.
