I'm reluctant to give away the identities of any other houses because I really don't want to reveal my identity or my school, but since the whole pet thing sparked so much curiosity, I'll let y'all know that Flute was Alpha Gamma Delta and the pet was a squirrel. When I was a kid, my mom volunteered with a wildlife rehabilitation clinic where people could bring baby birds, squirrels and other wildlife that had fallen out of trees, been attacked by pets, etc. She especially loved the squirrels and occasionally volunteered to bring home patients that needed especially good care. It probably happened about 4 or 5 times in the course of my childhood up until she stopped volunteering there when I was 9 or 10. I remember helping her feed the little bald things with a medicine dropper - they were so tiny and adorable! They never stayed at our house long - they went back to the clinic as soon as they were in better shape and were eventually released - but I had become pretty familiar with how to take care of them as babies. I couldn't imagine having a full-grown, healthy squirrel in my house though. Doesn't seem like a good idea. I guess the Flute house here thinks so too, because years later they are still pet-less. I think they've given up the project. :)

First of all, great story! I've really enjoyed reading it, and I'm so happy that it had a happy ending!
My sophomore year, one of my pledge sisters was super upset when she found out that her little sis had dropped out during pledge quarter. She very loudly proclaimed that since her little didn't want her, she'd go and adopt one of the many squirrels that roamed campus. We did some research and were very excited that there was a sorority with a squirrel as a mascot, and I bought her this obnoxious, giant green Alpha Gamma Delta pen that had a squirrel bent into the top.

Another side squirrel story: I once saw one scamper down a tree and grab a package of Nutter Butters from a vendor stand on campus, then scamper back up the tree. Blatant theft!

I love a Kappa ending! A belated welcome to Kappa!

Congratulations on Kappa Kappa Gamma!!!

Great story and congratulations on Kappa Kappa Gamma!

*Agreed!!

Congratulations and Welcome to Kappa!! Love hearing Kappa stories.;)

I thought that Bette Locke was on a committee with Kate Hogoboom (love that name), EmilyHButterfield, and Otilia Leuchtweis charged with choosing an NPC mascot. Now, whose founders helped write the Amalgamated NPC Ritual?

Bettie Locke was on NO committees with anyone. She was her own committee of One. Seriously.

what is wrong with you? will you stop blabbing? No one is supposed to know about the NPC mascot except for fully initiated members who have visited the Island of Invisibility, bathed in the Waters of Wonderment, and eaten of the Tree of Terpsichore.

=[ I know I'm super late but I was rooting for Trombone because I play that instrument lol

Hey there... just read this story straight through. It's been a fun read, and mucho congrats to you and Kappa!

I loved the "pet" speculation, and when you revealed that it was a squirrel, I laughed mightily. My alma mater is notorious for its many squirrels who do not fear man or lawnmower. Those little boogers will find someone sitting on a park bench, scamper right up to her, and put their little paws on her feet or thigh or shoulder (as happened to me) in attempts to look cute and earn peanuts, which are sold on campus at several convenience stores for precisely that purpose. In fact, in my foreign language classes, when we got to advanced verb forms, we'd sit outside and practice creating sentences with the squirrels as the subjects... "The squirrels have no pants on." "A squirrel is driving my car to the store." "That squirrel has never voted in a Presidential election."

Yeah, I know. We were nerds. I still am.

Awww, I just LOVED the fact that your closest friends ended up being your sisters! So cute!

Hmmmm....this is an interesting feat of physics. :p