A

Pet-icularly

Nice Day
At The

J

Children at the Jewish Center
get a lesson in pet care.

T

ELIZABETH APPLEBAUM
AppleTree Editor

alk about the cat's pajamas.
Life was good for children and pets alike when
Bob Thorne, owner of Petland at the Twelve Oaks
Mall in Novi, made a visit last week to the Jewish
Community Center in West Bloomfield.
Thorne may look like anyone else most of the time. But there
are days when Thorne transforms into "Safari Bob" and brings
his animal friends to- speak with children about the fundamen-
tals of pet care.
"The hour-long program is a great opportunity for the kids
to learn not only how to handle a pet, but how to take care of
one, too," Thorne says. "If a child learns early how to relate to
animals in a loving and healthy manner, they set a foundation
that lasts for a lifetime. Pets can be a wonderful and rewarding
experience for people of every age." ❑

Top: Bob Thorne, owner of Petland at Twelve Oaks Mall, tells Rachel
Goldner, 3, ofWest Bloomfield about his pet bird.

Center: Brandon Fealk, 3, of White Lake and Maya Skolnik, 3, of West
Bloomfield investigate a baby bunny.

Bottom: Thorne talks about animals with Jeannifir Fealk, 3, of West
Bloomfield and Sophie Linden, 3, of Farmington Hills as assustabt Robin
Wilkins of Farmington Hills listens.

8/29
2003

79