Chronicle Critters: Part Four

Welcome back to The Chronicle Critters, featuring the furry, the scaly, and the feathery! For our first edition of the Fall 2026 semester, we have some special guests joining us.

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Up first is Che, the fuzzy pup belonging to Martin Smith, creative writing adjunct professor.

This little fella is Che. He's a nine-year-old Shetland Sheepdog! He occasionally accompanies Smith to class, to prepare for exam week and the like. 

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Second is two new additions--Spectra and Alistair--to the household of Elizabeth May, co-executive managing editor of The Cyclone Chronicle.

Spectra is a six-month-old female betta fish, no bigger than a grape. She’s a sweet little thing that will mainly stay hidden in her barrel tunnels, but she’ll gladly meet you at the edge of her tank for her morning or bed time meal.

This slightly bigger fellow is Alistair. He’s a quiet betta fish who spends most of his time hunkered down in his rock hut. Alistair joined the family roughly two months after Spectra, making him four-months-old. 

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Next up is Blu and Chance, belonging to Candace Harris, business major.

This is Blu, he’s a nine-years-old pittie, but with how much energy he has, you’d think he’s still a one-year-old. Blu hates rain and baths as most dogs do, but surprisingly loves playing and getting sprayed by the hose. 

Chance is a one-year-old bully/pit mix who also has high energy, like his brother Blu. Harris believes Chance is following in his big brother’s footsteps and matching chaos energy with him. Chance has an alter ego. This sweet little fella has so much chaotic energy that Harris has affectionately dubbed him Mr. Stitch after the character in Lilo and Stitch. 

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Following Blu and Chance is a little man dressed to impress, Dice the tuxedo cat, belonging to Erin Cooper, independent studies major.

This is Dice, a two-year-old shorthair cat. He’s a professional little guy in his tuxedo, but don’t let that fool you! He loves ragebaiting people. Outside of ragebaiting, Dice is sometimes a silly guy. 

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Sharing the same apartment as Dice is Mia. She belongs to Amanda Lorenzo, senior criminal justice major.

Mia is a two-year-old Ragdoll cat. This fluffy little sweetheart loves to play peek-a-boo and bounce off the walls when she has the zoomies.

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For the first time ever, The Chronicle Critters has its first snake from Jordan Henderson, senior animal health (pre-vet) student.

This danger noodle is Tostones the ball python. Tostones loves her snacks. Her favorite snack is rats, but she also likes chicken from here to there. 

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Finally, here are two special inclusions that maybe bend the rules of Chronicle Critters, just a little bit…

This is Jack Sparrow, an adorable little House Sparrow found on Centenary’s campus by The Cyclone Chronicle staff. He was found unable to fly outside Taylor Memorial Library and was carefully escorted somewhere safer to stay hidden and build up his strength. 

Last but not least is a face we’re all familiar with, Zeena. She is the unofficial mascot of The Cyclone Chronicle. Zeena never stays in one place, as she adventures everywhere on and off campus. Keep an open eye for stories featuring her this semester.

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In this edition, the pups beat out our feline friends three to two. A recent poll by The Cyclone Chronicle staff shows that 70.5% of students prefer dogs over cats.

The Chronicle Critters wants your pets! To have your pets included, contact elizabeth.may@centenaryuniversity.edu with a photo and short blurb about your animals.