MSTPets: Part 9
Here’s an ode to our furry (or not so furry) friends who have helped us study for anatomy practicals, kept us company while we wrote our papers and thesis dissertations, and welcomed us home after a long shift on surgery.
MSTPet: Reuben
Age: 3 years old
MSTParent: Allie Lake (M1)
Field of Study: Olfactory psychology
Fun Fact: Reuben was named after the classic sandwich from Protzel’s Delicatessen in St. Louis, MO, which his mom’s family has frequented for multiple generations. His favorite pastimes include licking faces, eating grass, and experiencing the world through his exceptional sense of smell.
MSTPet: Juniper
Age: 2 years old
MSTParent: Emilie Fisher (M1)
Dissertation: Effect of volume and frequency of meows on rate of food administration
Side Project: Relative effectiveness of two- versus four-legged begging positions (see Figure 2, above. Juniper is pictured with her former roommate, Leo).
Fun Fact: Juniper got her name because her blue eyes are reminiscent of Juniper berries, which are used in making her mom’s favorite spirit, gin. Also, it’s a pun (Juni-purrr).
MSTPet: Cece
Age: 6 years old
MSTParent: Stephanie Cajigas (M1)
Field of Study: Primmadonnadom
Fun Fact: Cece’s full name is Cece Rock ‘n’ Roll Jitterbug, because my mom and I thought it would be a great idea to combine her parents’ names into hers.
MSTPet: Hungry
Age: 15 years old (at least)
MSTParent: Joey Elsakr (G4)
Field of Study: Gerontology, the study of aging
Fun Fact: I’m not sure if Hungry is the oldest MSTPet, but he’s definitely the oldest in terms of age to size ratio. Hungry once went through a near-death experience when a friend and I were trying to transport his tank in my college dorm. The tank fell and shattered, and Hungry was left flopping on the ground. He was resuscitated in a 1 gallon jug of water and transported all the way to Florida (an 8 hour drive) in that jug the following day. After this incident, we decided moving Hungry again would not be a good idea, and he now lives with my parents who take care of him in his old age.
MSTPet: Donner
Age: 2 years, 9 months old
MSTParents: Brynna Eisele (G2) and Scott Eisele (Vanderbilt Institute for Software Integrated Systems)
Dissertation: “An analysis and ranking of treats given to greyhound by humans: Peanut butter proves superior”
Fun fact: Before we got him, Donner ran 41 races and won none. In fact, he came in dead last in 29 of them. But he’s a winner in our hearts.
Honorary MSTPet: Marshall
Age: 1 year old
MSTP Aunt and Uncle: Rachel Brown (G2) and Matthew Stier (M4)
Field of Study: Effects of testicle removal on guinea pig courting behavior
Fun Fact: Marshall belongs to Sarah Brown, who just moved to Nashville as a VMSI, so say hi if you see her! He was just neutered so that he will be able to fraternize with Buffy and Willow without any ~unplanned pregnancies~ and find a cagemate at Knoxville Guinea Pig Rescue. We’re waiting for any remaining sperm to die, but until then he’s content with wheeking at the girls from his cage across the living room.