If one thing is for certain this year, it’s that nothing is for certain. Students must adapt, shift, and change the structure of their lives due to the tremendous stress of high school but also the pandemic. Although it is easy to focus on the negatives, it is much better to focus on the benefits of online learning…like pets. While some students have spare books or paintings in the background, these students have more vibrant, exciting companions at home.

Sophomore Quinn Voss

Sophomore Quinn Voss is known for his sarcastic but friendly attitude in the classroom and in the hallways, so it is only fitting that his pet parrot reflects his lively personality.

Can you introduce your pet? 

“I have a pet parrot named Guadalupe or ‘Lupe’ for short. I adopted her about half of a year ago.” 

Has your pet made any unexpected appearances on Zoom? 

“Definitely. On one of the first days of school, I was in AP World History and she started attacking my glasses. She had a real hate for glasses because she thinks that there is another bird (her reflection) and she gets jealous. So she attached to my glasses and Mrs. Rose was just like, ‘Hey Quinn, can you put your bird up?’ She was clawing the heck out of my face.”

Would you say having a pet on the zoom makes things easier or harder? 

“I love having her at home, and I really enjoy taking tests and her screaming at me to play with her or her biting the keys off my keyboard… real blessing.” 

Sophomore Kathleen O’Shea 

It takes a certain type of personality to be a cat person. According to the HuffPost, “Cat owners have also been found to be smarter, more sensitive, and more non-conformist than their canine-loving counterparts,” and Kathleen O’Shea fits the bill.

Can you introduce your pet? 

“About one year ago, my family and I adopted a cat and named him Chester Phil O’Shea. He is super fun to have at home, and everyone really likes him.” 

Has your pet made any unexpected appearances on Zoom? 

“Of course! One day we had ‘introduce your pet day’ in my English class. My teacher liked all of the pets people brought. My religion teacher also likes my cat because she is a cat lover and has one that you can hear playing with toys in the background.” 

Would you say having a pet on the zoom makes things easier or harder? 

“Chester is so funny, so it is very entertaining. It is also nice to have a little animal walking around while I am in Zooms because I don’t get that in the classroom. Chester also sleeps in my arms sometimes, so that relieves stress. But he always tries to get into my brother’s room and is so loud, which can be annoying.” 

Senior Matthew Biando 

Around 85 million Americans have a pet. Some have fluffy golden retrievers and others have beloved family cats, but this St. Pius senior has an especially unique pet. Senior Matthew Biando’s pet Chameleon has made a splash, even from Zoom. 

Can you introduce your pet? 

“My pet’s name is Sticky. She is a female chameleon.” 

Has your pet made any unexpected appearances on Zoom? 

“Yes, she has when Ms. Curlette asked on the first day of class if we have anything interesting about ourselves. I told her I basically have a farm at my house and told her one of my animals was a chameleon. So I showed her and the class.”

Would you say having a pet on the zoom makes things easier or harder? 

“It makes it much easier because I like to fidget and do things while I am listening to people talk, so when she is on the Zoom with me I do not have to get up and walk around and stuff. Instead I can just play with my chameleon while listening to my teachers and doing my assignments.” 

Joining Zoom classes and staring at a screen all day can be pretty boring, especially when you do it more often than not in this unusual Covid-filled semester. Fortunately some furry friends–or scaly sidekicks–help break up the monotony of the school day and put a smile on our faces.