Sandy explains cont. (Sandy POV)

After everyone looks at her she continues, “I haven’t declared my major yet but now it’s clear to me … I'm taking Pet Biology." While ruffling Gaby's hair she continues, ” … Someone has to look after our little fishy here ... right?“ She smirks a bit.

“Usually I would now have a discussion about the habitational needs of the PH-2 pet, but it feels a little redundant here. CAT is a subcontractor of Build-4-Pets after all. So I don’t think getting Gabby appropriate accommodations should be much of a problem,” I continue after Hannah's heartfelt outburst.

"Oh, does that means I get a new room?!" Gabby suddenly perks up.

Barely holding a smirk I continue, “Normally I would also have a conversation with the family about the organizations that support pets and pethood … but we already had that talk when you adopted Miranda. And you proved to be nothing but pet owners in good standing in the meantime.” Turning to Gaby I hand her a couple of papers saying, “Gaby, here you have an overview of organizations connected with pet and pethood. Read it at your ease. But I do like to point out Owl College which has been founded specifically to provide a college education for all PH phenotypes and almost all kinds of pets, although they accept anyone now. And thus they are the reference center for pet studies nowadays.

“Almost … let me guess … no fish pets…” deadpans Gabby.

“No … no PH-2 fish pets …" I say trying to look empathetic, "but they have an outreach program for pets who can’t make it to the college campus called College@Distant curriculum. You won’t have the college campus life but you could still get a college education if you want. And if you have any questions at all you know where to find me and besides you all have my number too.”

“However there is still one issue to discuss.” I start turning to Mathew and Amanda. “Now that Gabby is officially a pet, it’s my statuary duty to register a Caretaker for Gabby. It never came up before because you adopted Miranda as owner. But every pet has to have either a Caretaker or an Owner. The latter is common knowledge when a PH and PO find each other you have a registered pet-owner relationship. The caretaker role is usually taken up by the PCI when the pet moves to a petcenter. A Caretaker is someone who is legally responsible for the well-being of a pet. But not all PCI have the amenities for all kinds of PH-2 pets. So can I register you both as Gabby’s Caretaker?”

“What does it means to be a formal Caretaker?” They ask in unison.

“Well I don’t think it will change much in your case … first you were responsible as her parents and now you will continue doing that as her Caretaker.”

“Ok,” they both say.

“Fine, I’ll make it official then.”

Before I leave I turn back to Hannah and say, “You should come and see me in my office downtown one of these days.”