Episode 51: Animals, We All Love Them!

Listen to this Episode of "Coffee with Gringos" here or on iTunes, Spotify, Google Podcasts and Stitcher.

Paige: You are listening to “Coffee with Gringos.” I’m Paige Sutherland. And today, we have Ian Kennedy back. And we have some big news to share. Ian Kennedy will be part of the CWG family now. He's going to be co-hosting with me. So, Ian, welcome and thanks for joining us for forever.

 Ian: Of course, it's great to be here. I'm glad to join the family and keep rocking and rolling with this great podcast.

 Paige: So today, we're going to talk about quite the light topic—animals. Chile is definitely a big lover of animals. I think everyone here has a dog. If not, like a street dog that they've adopted.

 Ian: In some sort of way, everybody's got some kind of animal that can call their pet or their animal. Whether it's a street dog of the neighborhood, or their beloved dog or pet in the house.

 Paige: So, today we'll be talking about animals. And as you know, for those who have listened, if you get lost, there's a transcript and audio guide on the website. So, first question going back, Ian. Well, growing up in Missouri, did you have any pets?

 Ian: Yeah, we did. First the normal, kind of like the fish in the fishbowl sort of pet, and then progressed from there. And actually, before getting a dog, we had a couple strange pets. we actually had some pet salamanders and newts for a little while—which isn't the most common pet—but they were a lot of fun to have.

 Paige: Are these ones that you bought at a pet store or did you bring them inside?

 Ian: We could have brought them inside, but I think my parents opted for just going to the store, yeah.

 Paige: I have to ask…did they survive very long? Did you feed them?

 Ian:  We fed them pretty well. I think they lasted a reasonable lifespan for a salamander, which if I can remember correctly, was maybe two or three years. So not that long. But for a little animal, I think they had a good life.

 Paige: Growing up, I had rabbits. And I'm from Boston, so it's freezing in the winter. And these rabbits had to stay outside. My parents didn't want them in the house, so we had a cage that my dad built behind the shed. And so, in the winter, me and my sister would have to go out and feed the rabbits when we were younger. So, let's just say that didn't happen often. So, our rabbits did not live very long.

 Ian: Yeah, I imagine not.

 Paige: Yeah. So, that wasn’t very good. Growing up, I had a family dog. Did you have a dog?

 Ian:  Yeah, we did, too. We had a family dog. Her name was Mia. And she was a very relaxed. Most dogs are very energetic, running around, want to play. I almost made the joke that it was almost like a cat in a dog's body. But we still loved her a lot.

 Paige: What kind of dog was she?

 Ian: She was a complete mutt. I want to say a mix between a German Shepherd, a border collie. She looked almost like a mixture between a wolf and a fox, if you can imagine that.

 Paige: And you had her most of your childhood?

 Ian: Yeah, had her most of the childhood. I think from the time I was about 10 years old until I was in college. So yeah, good amount of time. I'd say most of my childhood.

 Paige: Nice. And I have to ask, if you have to pick only one. But what is your favorite animal?

 Ian: Oh, my favorite animal? It's a very tough question. I like to think of the very majestic animals. I think maybe a wolf or maybe a tiger. Something known for its prowess, maybe.

 Paige: You like the predators?

 Ian: Yeah, I guess I can respect the predators. Yeah, let's put it that way. What about you?

 Paige: I mean, it's very generic and clichéd, but I would have to say dog would be my favorite. Just because they're adorable. But I mean, if I was thinking of an animal that they couldn't domesticate, that couldn't live in my house…I think giraffes are pretty cool. They're just, like, really weird looking. Have you ever seen a giraffe run?

 Ian: I have.

 Paige: It’s pretty hilarious.

 Ian: It is. It's quite awkward.

 Paige: I think those are pretty cool. Elephants are cool. This might be bad to share with the podcast, but I actually hate horses. It's not a popular feeling to have. I feel like everyone loves horses and that they're beautiful animals. And I just I think they're gross and they poop on the street. And they're scary. Have you ever ridden one?

 Ian: I have ridden one. You have a good point. They aren’t the most cuddly creatures.

 Paige: It's pretty hard. I mean, that horse is huge, strong could kill you very easily. And you're supposed to, like, dominate it? No.

 Ian: Doesn't seem very realistic whenever you experience it in real life.

 Paige: Okay, so we did favorite. What is your least favorite?

 Ian: Ever since living here in the city, in Santiago, I have to say the pigeons. I cannot stand pigeons. I call them “rats with wings.” They never leave you alone. They're always wanting your food. And they're so domesticated, used to people, that they're never afraid. They get right up next to you. Or sometimes when I'm riding my bike, I'll have one fly up in front of my face. And they’re just not my favorite.

 Paige: Have you ever had one do “number two” on you?

 Ian: Multiple times, of course. In my house in Barrio Brasil, I was relaxing, reading a book outside and felt a couple of big splats on my leg. And then walking throughout the city, I had a couple splats happen on my shoulder, as well. So, I think it's almost a rite of passage to get pooped on by a pigeon here, here in the city.

 Paige: That's true. Maybe It's good luck.

 Ian: I like to think so.

 Paige: I’m trying to think of my least favorite animal. I probably have two but if I had to pick one it would probably be snakes. I don't like the way they move. Like, it creeps me out that they can move in that way and so quickly.

 Ian:  Yeah, the slithering is very creepy.

 Paige: I feel like any other animal, you could have a natural sense of like, okay, this is the way it's going. I can kind of prepare, but like, I feel like a snake can be over there and then in a second, it can be biting my feet and I don’t know how.

 Ian: Right. Yeah, you have very little time to react. The older I get, the less I like snakes. When I was younger, growing up in Missouri, it was very common to have snakes around. And when you're younger, you don't consider a lot of the dangers. And as I've gotten older, the more I realize there are a lot of these poisonous snakes that, if I'm not paying attention, they could bite me and we have a really serious problem on our hands. So, I think maybe more than anything, I'm just I'd become more realistic with the dangers that snakes pose for people around them.

 Paige: Next question. This is a tough one. What do you think your spirit animal is?

 Ian:  Spirit animal. This is a good one. Maybe a lizard is my spirit animal. I like to lay out in the sun. I consider myself pretty easygoing. I think most lizards are kind of just seeing what's going on, kind of walking around seeing what's happening. But I can be fast if I need to be, in danger. So, I think for that reason, maybe a lizard. What about you? What's your spirit animal, Paige?

 Paige:  That's a tough one. I think if I was to guess, this is pretty generic, but I ran track in college. So, maybe a cheetah? Okay, so you’ve been in Chile now, what? A year and a half?

 Ian:  Yeah, close to a year and a half, two years.

 Paige:  I'm sure you've experienced the street dogs here.

 Ian: Yes.

 Paige: Have you had any urges to take one home?

 Ian: I have had the urge one time to take home a street dog. And it was a dog that looked exactly like the dog that we have at home in the United States. So, for me, I was really missing my dog back home. And It seemed like a really crazy coincidence, maybe even serendipitous, to find this dog. I was tempted to take him home. But I realized in the end, I had to leave him to the street. But in general, I am not a big fan of the street dogs here in Santiago. I actually find that they're, they're kind of mean, they're kind of aggressive in some cases. So, I ride my bike all the time in the city. And I think I've had three or four times where I've had street dogs chasing me on my bike, which is not a fun feeling.

 Paige: The biggest shock to me when I moved here is where I'm from in Boston, we don't have street dogs. It just does not exist. So that's a new concept. And I think when you think of like a street dog, it's like a mutt. It's like a mix of a lab, the retriever-like type dog. But here I see poodles and shih tzus and wiener dogs and every type of dog that would cost thousands of dollars in the US. They just are street dogs. So often, a lot of times I don't even know what a street dog is. Because here they have blankets and collars. Sometimes I'm like, “Oh, that's your dog”, and they’re like “that's not my dog.”

 Ian: Now, I know.

 Paige: It's definitely weird here. The breeds that they have, like I've even seen Labradoodles as street dogs. Elite dogs.

 Ian: Right, exactly.

 Paige:  But I agree, I do not pet them. I don't know, I think 90% of the time, probably nothing would happen. But you don't know. It's a dog that lives on the street. Sure. So, I'd rather be safe than sorry. I don't think I want to bring that home. But I think seeing them everywhere makes me want to have one.

 Ian: Sure. It's a nice feeling having that cuddly friend and in your house with you.

 Paige: Do you feel like maybe not now since you're living this, like, bohemian lifestyle? But do you think later in life, you'll have a pet?

 Ian: Absolutely. Once I settle down and make sure that I have kind of the right facilities and supplies and everything to treat the dog right, I definitely want to have a dog. Not quite sure what kind yet, but definitely in the plans for the future to have a dog. What about you?

 Paige: I really want a Labradoodle.

 Ian: Those are great.

 Paige: Yeah, I think they're super cute. I grew up with a shih tzu which are great dogs, super friendly, adorable. But I kind of like a dog that I could play with, run with, more of a bigger dog. I really want one today, but my boyfriend's like, “No, we can't.”

 Ian: Not gonna happen.

 Paige:” Yeah, we travel too much. It’s not logical. But that doesn't mean I don’t want it. So maybe next episode, there'll be a dog here.

 Ian: Hey, that way we could we could have another guest with us.

 Paige: Exactly. So, remember, if you got lost it all, do go online to that audio transcription as well as the audio guide. So, Ian, so happy to have you as a co-host and many more episodes to come.

 Ian: Looking forward to it. Thanks page.

 Paige: Thanks for listening and we'll talk to you soon.

Key Vocabulary, Phrases and Slang:

1.     rocking and rolling (phrase): to continue doing something.

a.     Let’s keep rocking and rolling on the new project.  

2.     adopt (verb): to take or accept something as one’s own.

a.     We adopted my dog when I was a little boy.

3.     pet (noun): a domestic or tamed animal kept for companionship.

a.     My family has a lot of pets in our house.

4.     progress (verb): to advance or move forward in a direction.

a.     My English level progressed a lot when I lived in Scotland.

5.     strange (adjective): unusual or surprising.

a.     Some animals can act very strange when they are hungry.

6.     opt (verb): to decide, choose.

a.     We opted for the earlier flight instead of the late night one.

7.     lifespan (noun): the length of time an animal or person is alive.

a.     The average lifespan of cats is nine years.

8.     cage (noun): a structure of bars or wires used to contain animals.

a.     We keep our pet birds in a cage.

9.     shed (noun): a roofed structure, usually used for storage space.

a.     My grandma has a shed in her backyard.

10.  energetic (adjective): showing lots of energy and activity.

a.     Our family dog is very energetic. He always wants to run and play.

11.  mutt (noun): a dog that is made of a combination of different breeds or pedigrees.

a.     My grandmother’s dogs have always been mutts.

12.  childhood (noun): the time period in which someone is a child.

a.     I spent my childhood in New York.

13.  tough (adjective): difficult, not easy.

a.     Our teacher is always asking us tough questions.

14.  majestic (adjective): having or showing impressive beauty.

a.     Lions are very majestic animals.

15.  prowess (noun): skill or expertise in something.

a.     Eagles have amazing hunting prowess in the wild.

16.  predator (noun): an animal that hunts or eats other animals.

a.     Sharks are some of the greatest predators on the planet.

17.  clichéd (adjective):  overused, not original.

a.     “Live everyday like it’s your last” is a clichéd expression.

18.  adorable (adjective): cute, love-able.

a.     I think cats are so adorable.

19.  domesticate (verb): train or tame an animal to keep as a pet.

a.     The farmer domesticates wild horses in his free time.

20.  giraffe (noun): a large, African mammal with a long neck and legs. It’s the tallest living animal.

a.     My sister saw giraffes during her trip to Africa.

21.  hilarious (adjective): very funny.

a.     I watched a hilarious movie at the cinema this weekend.

22.  awkward (adjective): uncomfortable, difficult.

a.     It was awkward seeing my ex-girlfriend at the party.  

23.  gross (adjective): disgusting, unpleasant.

a.     Smelling trash in the street is really gross.

24.  poop (noun): excrement, body waste.

a.     I always see bird poop on the chairs in the park.

25.  cuddly (adjective): affectionate, loving.

a.     My friend’s dog is so cute and cuddly.

26.  huge (adjective): very large.

a.     Brazil is a huge country.

27.  dominate (verb): to master or have control over something.

a.     Once I dominate English, I want to try to learn Portuguese.

28.  pigeon (noun): small bird, usually lives in urban areas.

a.     Santiago is full of pigeons.

29.  cannot stand (phrase):  to strongly dislike something, to find something unbearable.

a.     I cannot stand seeing animals locked up in zoos.

30.  go “number two” (slang verb):  to excrete waste, to poop.

a.     Horses like to go “number two” wherever they like.

31.   splat (noun): something soft and/or wet hitting another object.

a.     There was a big splat on the floor where he dropped his food.

32.  rite of passage (noun): an event marking an important stage in someone’s life.

a.     Learning how to ride a bike is a rite of passage for many children.

33.  creep (someone) out (phrasal verb): give someone an unpleasant or fearful feeling.

a.     It always creeps me out when I see a spider.

34.  slither (verb): move over a surface with a twisting motion.

a.     Snakes are known to slither very fast over the ground.

35.  creepy (adjective): causing an unpleasant feeling or fear.

a.     I think snakes are so creepy!

36.  poisonous (adjective): containing venom.

a.     There are many poisonous snakes in the Amazon.

37.  pose (verb): to present or contribute.

a.     Overfishing poses a threat to fish populations.

38.  Spirit animal (noun): an animal that one shares characteristics or behavior with.

a.     John’s spirit animal is a horse because he loves to run.

39.  easygoing (adjective): relaxed or calm.

a.     John is such an easygoing guy.

40.  track (noun): a sport involving running around a circular pathway.

a.     Track is my favorite sport to watch during the Olympics.

41.  urge (noun): a strong desire or impulse.

a.     I always have urges for seafood when I visit the coast.

42.  coincidence (noun): something happens by accident or without intention.

a.     It was a coincidence to see Mark today at the library.

43.  serendipitous (adjective): something happening by chance in a positive way.

a.     Meeting my wife while waiting in line at the restaurant was serendipitous.

44.  tempted (adjective): having the urge to do something.

a.     I was tempted to go to the beach this weekend, but I stayed home.

45.  weird (adjective): strange, unusual.

a.     The cat was acting very weird yesterday.

46.  breed (noun): specific type or species of an animal, usually intentional.

a.     There are certain breeds of dogs that are nicer than others.

47.  elite (adjective): superior or better.

a.     Lionel Messi is an elite footballer.

48.  pet (verb): to treat with affection, usually by touching.

a.     My dog loves it when I pet him in the morning.

49.  bohemian (adjective): different from normal society standards.

a.     The backpackers enjoy living their bohemian lifestyle.

50.  facilities (noun): a place with a particular purpose.

a.     The company’s employee facilities are very modern.