Non-Fiction Reading Response #1

     For me I don’t like many animals, but if my readers do then this article will be good to read. Many may find this article very curious or horrifying. Depends on what type of person you are. If you are very thrill-seeker, than the idea of having wild animals may seem nothing to you. As for me, I’m a chicken that doesn’t like insects or some animals. As I read the article “Killer Pets” by Blair Rainsford, I learned that thousands of people have wild animals as pets. The article states that some people have wolves, bears, giant snakes and tigers as pets. I’ve heard about this thrilling situation before but don’t people see what danger this is.

   The author Blair Rainsford sends out the message to his readers that it’s alright to have exotic animals as pets. It’s not weird to have a pet tiger or bear because to me it means that person is unique. The owner of the pet is not afraid to have a wild pet living with them. Just like Felicia Frisco who takes care of a tiger, states in the article:

“It’s kind of like raising a dog,” she said. (Felicia Frisco 1)

“Felicia doesn’t think it’s weird to cuddle with a tiger. Lots of people agree with her”      (Rainsford 1).

     This quote shows a perspective of one that has an exotic animal as a pet. Many people around the world have a dog or a cat. But Felicia is saying that she isn’t abashed on having a tiger to cuddle with. And many agree that having a tiger is just like having a dog or a cat.      

     Rainsford only talks about the perspectives of those with exotic animals. He states about he care needed for the animals and the training they need to be taught. He states in the article:

“Exotic-animal owners say they love having pets that surprise people. Jim Sautner lives in    Alberta, Canada. He has a 2,000-pound bison named Bailey.

Sautner cut the roof off of his car so he could take Bailey for rides. He lets Bailey watch TV In the house, too. “Nobody ever told him he’s a bison,” Sautner says. “He thinks he’s human.”

 But Bailey isn’t human. Like pet tigers, bears, and chimps, he’s not even tame. Zookeeper Jack Hanna compares owning this type of pet to having a bomb in your home. You never know when it will explode” (Rainsford 1).

   I can see the importance of stating this information. Many animals are not being loved or treated with care.  And Rainsford also state throughout the article about the animals not being tamed. Some animals may kill or attack the owners. But I think the perspectives of those who think this is not safe are missing. Rainsford doesn’t mention anything about those who think this many be unsafe. If this article would have been re written the perspectives of both may have had a bigger impact on the reader. They may see that keeping a tiger or a bear is dangerous or just a normal thing. But the reader will see the importance of both sides to conclude there decision.

    Overall, I think the article “Killer Pets,” is a helpful article. I can see that keeping animals like tigers or bears isn’t such a big difference as to keeping a dog.  This article shows the reasons to keeping a pet lie this is very important. To some people wild animals may be dangerous but from this article I can tell that this may not as dangerous as you think.

                                                                Word Cited:

           Rainsford, Blair. "Killer Pets." Scholastic 03 Sept. 2012.Web. 01 Jan. 2013.      

        Link to article:  http://www.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=3757398                

 

Last response of the 2nd marking period!

Title: The Absolutely True Story of a Part-Time Indian

Author: Sherman Alexie

   Many young kids experience what it feels like losing someone you love. Many kids also experience the tragedy of being poor and not fitting in. But sometimes if risks are taken, the tragedies will be broken. In the book The Absolutely True Story of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie, the main character Arnold or “junior” goes through these problems. But to fix them, he must take some risks others may not have thought of taking.

   Arnold or “junior’s” routine throughout the book is GO, GO, GO and STOP! In the book Arnold try’s fitting in with the others. He goes to Readren to attend a new school. Since he was Indian he wasn’t just like the others. He got in to trouble with students, which got him into many fights. He didn’t get a decent education at first because he felt all alone with no one on his side. But as things started to get better as he made new friends, things got even worse.

   Arnold sister had just gotten married. But when she moved to Montana, she got into a big accident, leaving her and her husband dead. Arnold was let down. He went hard on himself. Arnold thought it was his entire fault because leaving his village brought many down. Many of his close relatives died in many accidents or are very sick. But he knew that he had to shows the others, that being Indian isn’t a bad thing. He knew that everyone is equal. And if it means taking chances that others won’t, it’s worth it.