For the Love of Animals – Local Teens Celebrate Their Unique Friends

Pets bring joy to many teenagers throughout the North State. Some pets have been rescued from hard situations, but in all cases these pets are an immense blessing to their owners. While teens learn the responsibility of taking care of something other than themselves, they simultaneously reap the benefits of a friend.

Whether they are indoor or outdoor pets, companion animals have a positive impact on the lives of these North State teens.

Keira Brownfield & Savannah

Keira shares her unexpected encounter with a unique pet. “A few summers ago, on a normal day, my uncle called to say that while he was driving in the orchard near Gerber he saw a giant lizard crossing the road! We rushed over and found a three-foot African Monitor Lizard. Of course, we brought it home and kept it in the bathroom. We soon discovered that she was very cuddly. We named her Savannah and posted “Large Lizard Found” flyers. After weeks of taking her outside to get sunshine, concocting squash and egg meals and decorating her with flowers, we found and returned her to her owner.”

Marisa Carr and her love for animals

Marisa has never had a pet of her own but she doesn’t let this stop her from enjoying all the animals around her. She enjoys spending time with many pets in her neighborhood. Marisa says she cares about animals because they are “enjoyable to spend time with…I give them love and feed them treats.”

Ben Deem & Noober

Ben is 15 years old and is currently pursuing his desire to become a marine biologist. He says, “Growing up I never really had that many pets, but I did have fish. The first fish I ever had was named Noober and he was a betta fish. I can’t remember how long he lived but I do remember that he did absolutely nothing most of the time which is fair because beta fish have the brain activity of a toaster.” Ben’s family helped cultivate his love for aquatic life by taking trips to Monterey Bay Aquarium on his birthday and making it a tradition to watch Shark Week each year on the Discovery channel.

Kaiya Chamblin & Fawn

Kaiya is 18 years old and loves to spend time with her dog, Fawn. When faced with more time at home in the summer of 2020, Kaiya started looking for an older pet to adopt. She fell in love with Fawn on the adoption website, but unfortunately Fawn had already been adopted. However, a couple of weeks later Fawn became available again! At the adoption shelter, they immediately bonded and have been perfect companions ever since. Kaiya says, “Fawn’s story is an example that God always brings us what’s meant to be in our life.”

Emmalyne Stultz & Henrietta

Emmalyne was ecstatic to get her first flock of chickens when she was eight years old. She tells a story of her first sweet Delaware hen, Henrietta. “She loved snuggling on my lap and resting her head on my shoulder.” One day while Emmalyne was holding her she looked down to see that Henrietta had laid her first egg! This is one of Emmalyne’s most memorable animal adventures as every day afterward Henrietta would call until Emmalyne came and provided a comfortable place for her to lay her egg. Emmalyne says, “She would even peck at our windows until I joined her, rain or shine.” Emmalyne doesn’t regret a single moment of caring for her chickens and now at age 16 her passion for animals is still going strong.