For this publication’s regular feature of the Critter Corner, sophomore Nate Mitchell discusses his bond with his dogs and his tortoise.

Q. What are your pets’ names?

A. One is named Honey, and one is named Pippin, and then I have a tortoise named Stella. The dogs are both cockapoos, so half poodle, half cocker spaniel, and the tortoise. We’re not entirely sure, but we think it’s a Russian breed.

Q. How long have you had your pets?

A. Our dogs have been around since I was in kindergarten, so they are about ten years old at this point, and they recently turned ten. Then, my tortoise, I’ve had since fourth grade.

Q. How did you get your pets?

A. We had a Labrador, and he died of cancer. He was in our family before I was born. In kindergarten, we decided to get two more dogs. As for my tortoise, I actually found her as an egg. We found an egg floating down Crum Creek, and then we hatched it. We had to keep it in an incubator-type thing. It’s similar to when you’re incubating chicken eggs, but it’s meant for reptiles. I think it took about two months.

Q. What is your favorite thing to do with them?

A. My favorite thing to do with my dogs is probably just play with them or, you know, just sit around with them, because that’s all they really like to do. And then for my tortoise, my favorite thing to do with her is kind of funny—I like to watch her eat because she’s really messy about it sometimes, and it’s really funny. She eats a lot of stuff…She eats a ton of fruits and vegetables, so it’s kind of fun.

Q. How would you describe your bond with them?

A. I think we have a pretty good bond. I’ve grown up with them for almost my entire life. My tortoise, I don’t know, it’s kind of hard to determine a bond with a tortoise, but I’ve had her for a long time, too.

Want to feature your pet in the next edition of Critter Corner? Stretch your paw out to [email protected]!