University of Wyoming - WYO Yearbook (Laramie, WY)

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12 Pets and Companions

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CONSTANZE MOZART (Marcy Morns) comforts her husband on his deathbed. It was rumored that a jealous Salieri murdered this gifted composer. Photo by Photo Service AS A YOUNG COMPOSER, Mozart (Brad Bond ' was an excitable character with childish tantrums and extravagant tastes. Photo by Photo Service JUST AS SALIERI (Robison) gained the respect of fellow administrators, he also found his way into the trusting hearts of many women, including Constanze (Morris), his victim ' s wife. Photo by Photo Service Amadeus 11

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Can anybody find me somebody to love? Unusual pets find homes on campus FUZZIE WUZZIE IS always mindful of Robbie Joy ' s every command. Photo by Dan Levar Three UW students developed unique relationships with unusual companions: a python, a puppet and teddy bears. Mike Stull, a member of Pi Kappa Al- pha Fraternity, has owned a nine foot python. It ' s named Smokey, and he lives in the fraternity house with Stull. The four-year-old python was captured in the wild when he was one foot long. He fasted for 17 months in a pet shop. After a period of recovery, he escaped from his cage to slither about for a month to eat mice. Since then Smokey has been happy. Smokey ' s a ball-snake; when threatened, he rolls into a tight ball. He eats rats or mice about every three weeks, depending on what the pet shop has in stock. Stull chose Smokey as a pet for a few reasons. He says pythons are quiet and clean. They don ' t complain about any- thing. The uniqueness of a snake for a pet is an added bonus. The snake isn ' t loyal like a dog: it is aloof like a cat. It gives the impression of being in- dependent. Snakes in the wild constrict theii prey to kill them. Even in captivity, Smokey ' s strength and suppleness allow him to adapt to small places. His cage has to be weighted down so he won ' t escape, but Stull doesn ' t feel that he needs to worry about Smokey attacking him. Smokey is curious. He will watch people to see who they are and what they are doing. I just like his colors, Stull said. How he looks is really cool. Stull said Smokey treats everyone equally. Most of Stull ' s neighbors think owning a python is a great idea. A few, however, are a little uneasy about Smokey being in the same building with them. Robbie Joy has a large puppet named Fuzzie Wuzzie. It was bought at a hometown fair in 1987. When she found out that she was getting her own room, she decided to bring the puppet to UW with her. It hangs from the speakers in her room and is the first thing that one notices when entering the room. The puppet is about two feet tall and made of purple fur. It has long, skinny arms and legs, and a face dominated by large eyes. The first time friends see it, they often ask if Joy will show it. She can walk it about the room and have it sit. Rachelle Richardson has a collection of teddy bears-about 150. She started collecting these stuffed toys when she came to UW. Her mother would send care packages with teddy bears inside. Since then her friends have taken the task of enlarging her collection. Richardson ' s favorite animal is the polar bear: consequently most of her bears are white. A few of the more valuable bears belonged to her mother and aunt when they were children. She likes to have the bears around be- cause they don ' t talk back. They don ' t have to be taken care of, and yet they still provide companionship. Bears are a release, Richardson said. ' ' When I flunk a test, I come home and hug my purple bear. The bears listen to her problems. She also said that because most of them are gifts, they have pleasant memories at- tached to them. The bears become tan- gible reminders of the past. Each of these companions is different, but they all provide good feelings for their owners. Whether it be knowing there is another living thing in the room with you or that special piece of home or even good memories of friends, everyone needs something that will sup- ply company for them. Diane Buck CUDDLING IS COMFORTING with a favorite pet or toy. Photo bySheri Zapp Pets and Companions 13