a) Tim
(I = Interviewer; T = Tim)
I: Tim, can you describe your pet?
T: She's very fat and not very pretty. But she's got a lovely curly tail.
I: What does she eat?
T: Anything and everything. She's very fond of banana skins.
I: Is she a good companion?
T: Yes, I always go and speak to her when I'm fed up. She listens to my problems when no one else will.
I: When you go away, who looks after her?
T: If I go away for work, my girlfriend looks after her. But if my girlfriend comes away with me, we have to take her over to my parents. She doesn't like that very much because they've got a dog that annoys her.
I: Do you and your pet look alike?
T: I hope not.
I: If you were an animal, what animal would you like to be?
T: I used to say a dolphin when I was younger, but I don't like the sea very much now. I don't know - a giraffe maybe, though I'd hate to be stuck in a zoo.
b) Gus
(I = Interviewer; G = Gus)
I: Gus, can you describe your pet?
G: He's black and has eight hairy legs.
I: What does he eat?
G: Insects.
I: What, he catches them?
G: No, I buy them frozen.
I: Is he a good companion?
G: Yeah. He's like a friend. We have a special bond.
I: When you go away, who looks after him?
G: Well, I haven't been away since I got him and I don't think anybody wants to look after him. Certainly not my mum. He frightens people away.
I: Do you and your pet look alike?
G: I'm not that hairy - but I think he looks cool, like me.
I: If you were an animal, what animal would you like to be?
G: A lion because they're big and tough and they rule.
c) Maxine
(I = Interviewer; M = Maxine)
I: Maxine, can you describe your pet?
M: She's very fluffy and very loveable. My boyfriend doesn't like her because she bit him - she's definitely a girl's girl.
I: What does she eat?
M: Her favourite meals are fresh vegetables, nuts and cereal.
I: Is she a good companion?
M: Oh, yes, I love Page because she's good company for me when my boyfriend is away travelling. Besides, we have the same interests - she loves to sleep all day, eat and then she parties all night long.
I: When you go away, who looks after her?
M: I take her everywhere in her little cage.
I: Do you and your pet look alike?
M: I think that she's better looking than me - who could resist those brown button eyes?
I: If you were an animal what animal would you like to be?
M: I am an animal.