“An ostrich!” I exclaimed.

“Yes, I am studying their breeding habits in various conditions,” he said.

“But don’t you, like, need two?” I said confusedly.

“Oh, don’t worry that’s taken care of. Braden!” he called out.

Suddenly, a giant ostrich walked out from behind his shelves. My mouth probably fell open ten stories.

“This is Braden,” he said, pleased with my reaction. “It’s ok, you can come pet him, he won’t bite.”

Slowly, I walked up to the ostrich. After letting him sniff my hand, I patted his head, then moved down his back.

“Wow, he’s really soft,” I said. “And so pretty,” I added. “Where do I get them?”

He gave her directions to a store called Naturally Wild.

“Oh, and make sure to ask for a girl!” he yelled as I was walking out the door.