People and animals (5)

Animal opinion time! Answer quickly, without stopping to think: (1) What's your favorite animal? (2) What animal has qualities or strengths that you particularly admire? (3) What animal represents qualities in yourself that you dislike and are trying to overcome? (4) What animal looks great in photos? (5) What animal scares you the most?

People and animals (4)

When you were a young child, who gave you a chance to meet an out-of-the-ordinary animal? What was the animal? What was your initial impression of it?

People and animals (3)

Do physical allergies affect any of your relationships to people and animals?  Are there animals you have to avoid because of allergies?  Are there people in your life who are allergic to your pets?

People and animals (2)

What real-world animals have turned up in your dreams?

People and animals (1)

Did you ever feel wary of someone or decide to avoid them specifically because you didn't like the pets they kept?  Or, conversely, did you ever warm up to someone specifically because of their adorable pets? 

Tell us a story: animal antics

Have you ever had a pet that had an amazing trick it would perform on command?

Common fears

In How the Mind Works, author Steven Pinker explains that most actual phobias point to dangerous situations that our ancestors faced. We instinctively fear eight-legged crawlers, for example, because some spiders have painful or deadly bites. Phobias can become excessive or misplaced, but they make sense. This week we take a look at some of our most common fears.

Are you personally afraid of spiders, snakes, sharks, or some other specific creature? Even if you are not, what was one startling creature encounter that made you jump backwards?

This week's theme is common fears.

Down on the farm

Do you keep any animals that are not pets? What can you tell us about them? Are they chickens, for food? Goats, to keep your lawn trimmed? Mice, for laboratory experiments? A wild animal that comes around because you feed it?

Tell us a story: man's best friend

What was your first pet? Was it a family pet, or an animal for which you were solely responsible? Did having a pet make your life richer? Do you have a pet now?

The mask you wear

What is one animal whose characteristics you share? Are you sly like a fox? Sharp-eyed, like an eagle? Resourceful, like a raven?

This week's theme is your relationship with animals.

Fangs and claws

Has an animal ever hurt you?

This week's theme is your relationship with animals.

Shopping cart

Do you eat animals? Which ones? Do you have rules about which animals are okay to eat, and why? Or do you just not think about it?

This week's theme is your relationship with animals.

Lions and tigers and bears!

Many children's stories are about animals. What is one animal story that particularly fascinated, amused, or frightened you as a child?

This week's theme is your relationship with animals.

Man and beast

We often have complicated relationships with many of the creatures sharing the planet with us. This week, we'll look at how you interact with some of them, both tame and wild.

As a child, were you allowed to have pets? Did your parents' relationship to animals affect your current relationship to animals, and did it affect your decision on whether to have pets or not?

This week's theme is your relationship with animals.

Tell us a story: close encounter

What was one memorable occasion when you unexpectedly came face to face with an animal?

Pet project

How much attention does your pet need or demand from you? Do you have set times every day, or during the week, for play time? Or do you just play with your pet when they look like they need attention?

This week's theme is you and your pet.

Stupid (and not-so-stupid) pet tricks

TV's "Lassie" was a pet who famously rescued people left and right (usually Timmy, who was down the well). Have any of your pets ever done anything heroic, surprising, or memorable?

This week's theme is you and your pets.

Pet peeves

As cat owners, we are sometimes chagrined to be accosted in pet stores by large, friendly dogs who want to deposit saliva on us: cat owners usually do not bring their pets shopping! What are some of your pet peeves about pet ownership?

This week's theme is you and your pets.

Pet pros and cons

Studies show that people with pets live longer. On the other hand, they take effort and expense to care for. What are your biggest pros and cons with regard to pet ownership? Overall, is it worthwhile to have a pet?

This week's theme is you and your pets.

You and your pets

If you have a pet, or have ever had a pet, you know that they are an important part of your life. Providers of entertainment, companionship, and unconditional love, a pet can teach you many things and be there for you when literally no one else is.

Do you have a pet? If so, what kind? What kinds of pets have you had throughout your life? If you've never had pets, what kind do you imagine you might like to have, assuming it were practical?

A resourceful cat.

This week's theme is you and your pets.