Sarah Fishman
Contributing Photographer
Stella is a German Shepherd mix. Her nicknames include “Smella,” “Stella Bella,” “Stinky Stinky,” “Stellar,” and “Interstellar.” Her hobbies are digging and sticking her tongue out, but most importantly playing with her ball. She carries her ball around everywhere, lays her head on it to nap, plays intense games of fetch, and frequently brings it over asking (telling) you to play tug of war with her. She loves pup cups, the beach, and hiking. “She’s my favorite hiking buddy,” fourth-year biology major Jaden Orli, who frequently cares for her on weekends, told me. Despite her impressive size, she likes to pretend she’s really small: “She’s tiny! She’s my baby,” Orli added.
Beanie is a 1.5-year-old tabby cat. Her full legal name is Tiabeanie; she was named after a character from the TV series “Disenchantment.” Her nicknames include “Bean,” “Beanie Baby,” “Beanstock,” “Beanwich,” and “Beanster.” She spends hours looking outside her large kitchen window at plants and birds moving about. When the sun shines through, she sits on a chair to sunbathe. For Halloween, her pet parent — fourth-year biology major Gisela Moralez — dressed her up as a little pig.
Bean is a tiny little dog with fluffy brown fur. Her nicknames include “Beanie-Weenie,” “Beanbug,” “Monkey,” “Moomoo,” “Beans,” and “Minnie.” Her hobbies are screaming, hiding bones in the creases of the couch as a snack for later, begging for food, and growling at big dogs. She likes to carry her ball to and from the car, but fourth-year global studies major Bryn Singer explained how she doesn’t want anyone to take it from her — she simply enjoys an audience to watch her play her one-man game of fetch.
Boba is a calico kitten. She has a regal appearance and a personality to match. “She’s a diva,” third-year math major Rose Avila explained. She immediately asserted her dominance when we sat on the couch, hopping on the highest part behind us to perch above menacingly. She likes climbing in the sink and “hunting” her human housemates — if they walk back and forth too much, she hides, jumps out, and scares them. But she’s sweet when she wants to be! She sleeps with Rose on her pillow, and always greets her at the door. Rose found her in a chip box within a week of her birth. Her other hobbies include chasing her toy until collapsing and panting like a dog, and chasing her tail in a circle.
Ender is a black kitten with bright green eyes. She likes to sunbathe with her sister Boba and to explore everything; Rose describes her as “just devious.” She was found a day before Halloween near The Habit when she was around three months old. Rose explained how Ender has always been passionate about people-watching. Ender loves to watch birds on the first floor of their home and people on the second with Boba. The two chase each other everywhere — they’ve even had some “lion king moments” on the stairs!
Fourth-year biology major Jeremy Cowan has three coturnix quails. He made their wooden coop himself in a day and half. The floor is made up of wire, with a wood slab a bit below, making it easy for Jeremy to clean up after them. He composts their waste — apparently it’s fantastic manure! Jeremy and his housemates have eaten a few quails: two of the ones they got originally ended up being roosters. Since roosters don’t lay eggs, and having too many males can stress out the females, they decided to eat them. Now, Jeremy gets around three eggs a day! They taste just like chicken eggs, he explained, and they can be fried, boiled, marinated, and more. He gave me a couple after I interviewed him!
While not belonging to Jeremy, this California scrub jay frequently visits his house. The magnificent, brightly-colored blue bird takes nuts out of Jeremy’s hand, finds a spot to stash them, and carefully covers the haul with a leaf. Jeremy explained how these birds can remember thousands of locations!
Milo is a tuxedo cat with curious big green eyes. He has white fur that gives him mittens, a bikini bottom, and one long sock. His long white whiskers give him luscious brows, and he wears a signature green bandana. He belongs to my roommate, fourth-year psychological and brain sciences major Gaby Vasquez. According to her (and I wholeheartedly agree), he’s the “best baby ever.” His nicknames include “baby boy,” “little rat,” “mi mi,” “milo boy,” and “miler.” He loves watching Isla Vista life through our glass sliding door, curling up in his bed to take afternoon cat naps, and morning cuddles. He also loves visitors: Although skittish at first, he warms up quickly and enjoys the attention from our friends coming in and out of the house.