Imagine coming home to a pet that greets you with a croak instead of a bark or a meow. For many, frogs are creatures of the wild but many people are now reaching towards these types of pets instead of dogs and cats. These small amphibians are capturing hearts with their unique habits and low maintenance lifestyles.

Freshman Kaitlyn Vu, 14, finds companionship in an aquatic pet frog. Although the choice was unplanned, Vu didn’t want a frog; she had her heart set on a turtle. However, after learning about the turtle’s specific needs and the extra care they require, she reconsidered and settled for an aquatic frog. She learned and researched about the frog’s lifestyle in order to care for it. Caring for the frog brought joy and created a bond between them that Vu did not expect.

“I was originally supposed to get a turtle, but it was too much to take care of and I didn’t want fish, [a frog] was pretty much the only option,” Vu said.

She’s had her frog for almost a year, as she got it in the beginning of 2023. Vu shares the role her dad has taken throughout her journey of getting her unique pet.

“My dad helped me pick my pet and helps me take care of it,” Vu said.

A challenge Vu faces is ensuring the frog is fed and cared for when she is away, which often worries her.

“I’m not sure how to feed it while I’m away for some time,” Vu said.

While Vu is there, she enjoys bonding with her pet by spending quality time feeding it and ensuring its tank is clean, a small gesture that might go unnoticed by the frog but holds great meaning for her.

“I chose to name it Greg because my brother really liked that name and it fit him well,” Vu said.

She also stated that every time she walks by the tank it recognizes her, and even sometimes while feeding it the frog hops onto her hand adding to the fun of its care.

“I bond with my pet by spending time and feeding it, and over time it starts to recognize me, I think we do have a mutual connection,” Vu said.

Vu’s experience with her pet frog highlights a growing trend of choosing less traditional pets, like amphibians, due to their unique characteristics and manageable care. Her journey from considering a turtle to bonding with her frog, Greg, illustrates how unexpected choices can lead to fulfilling and meaningful companionships. As more people explore these less conventional pets, they discover the joy and connection that can come from the most unexpected places.