Episode 9 Pet School

Hello, I'm Luke Franks, and this is Pet School.

It's day nine, and I can't believe it's nearly over.

Today is the last opportunity our Pet Heads have

to prove themselves to their parents

before finding out tomorrow if they'll be new pet owners.

Their mums and dads are keeping a close eye on them, because today...

is Parents' Day.

Nine pet-crazy kids...

-I would like to have a dog.

-I would really like a rabbit.

I really want a pet rat.

..101 animals needing care and attention...

..two incredible weeks.

THEY SCREAM

But have our Pet Heads got the animal know-how...

Eurgh, they poo! Eurgh!

..to persuade their parents they've got what it takes

to have a pet of their very own?

Has she proved to you she can be a responsible pet owner?

Is she getting a pet?

Previously on Pet School,

there was plant-picking panic.

OK, run. Let's go, go, go.

Tweetie Pie had Thomas all wound up.

I don't feel so happy right now.

And Lauren collared the Best Pet Carer vote.

I just really thank everybody that voted for me.

Thank you so much.

Coming up today,

the mums have a scream in Pet Practice...

and the Pet Heads snake through feeding time.

I'm so glad I'm a human.

Our Pet Heads know the drill -

it's morning assembly.

-Good morning, Pet Heads.

-ALL: Good morning, Luke.

It's day nine.

ALL: Aw!

-It's flying by, right?

-ALL: Yes.

Tomorrow you're going to find out whether you're getting your own pet.

-Yes!

-Yes. Did you think the day would ever come, William?

-No.

It's happening, it's happening,

and the people who're going to make the decision - your parents -

are here today as well. Good and bad. You can just show them

exactly what you've been doing. You going to prove yourselves?

-They might get in the way.

-They might get in the way.

Thomas, what's your mum going to be like with the animals, d'you reckon?

With my pet buddy snake? Screaming.

OK, interesting.

So, you'll know every day we start with Pet Practice, right?

And your parents are getting involved today as well.

-PET HEADS: Oh, no!

-Oh, yes.

So, welcome them in. Come on, parents, come and say hi.

ALL: Hi.

A few nervous faces, I think it's fair to say. That's cool.

Well, we're going to find out our groups for today. Up for it?

-ALL: Yes.

-Yes, all right then.

Group One - Chloe, William and Courtney.

You are going to be with the goats.

Yay!

Your parents are going to help you out as well.

-Any experience with goats?

-No, nothing at all.

-No.

Group two - Tommy, Lauren,

-Faramaz. Lauren's dad.

-Hiya.

Snake - bothered by that, or...?

Anything with scales I'm not very good with.

You've always wanted to meet a snake, Dad.

But I never have, though, have I?

-Pet Heads, what animal do you think Group Two is with?

-Snake.

You got it in one, good stuff. OK, Group Three.

Unfortunately, Ananya's still not very well,

so hoping she gets better soon, we're missing her.

Group Three, just two of you in it, Sam and Thomas.

With the cute little gerbils.

-Yes!

-Yes. Sam's mum - gerbils? You all right with them?

Yeah. Fine, good. Tiny, small.

As always, 30 minutes to complete your Pet Practice.

If you don't finish, what happens?

ALL: You lose time in the Pet Buddies.

You know this.

Off you go. See your animals. Good luck.

We're going to need it!

Now, Pet Practice has been key

to our Pet Heads showing they can responsibly care for their animals.

But today's a real chance to prove what they've been learning all term.

Will the mums and dads get involved with the teamwork,

or are they just going to slow everyone down

and bring everyone back for a Pet Practice penalty?

So there'll be no time for kidding around

if William, Courtney, Chloe and their mums

are going to pass Pet Practice.

"Today you have a joint task

"involving the fantastic Pet School goats.

"You need to clean up the goat enclosure

"and fill up their feeding stations.

"And we have a special task for Chloe's mum.

-"You get to walk the goat."

-What?! Me? No!

-Oh, yeah!

Basically they've got little collars on like dogs

-and what you do is just grab...

-Grab it?

-Do I have to walk all three at the same time?

-Yep.

They're a bit like children, they do argue.

Hmm, reminds me of some Pet Heads I know.

Meanwhile, William and Courtney's mums

have yet to start the business of clearing out the goats' business.

We need to get in there and get all the dirty...

Where do we put it?

Mum, you need to just head out.

-Straight out, pull 'em.

-Straight outside?

Yeah, they won't feel it, trust me.

You've just got to pull them along. That's it.

Come this way. No. No!

Right, come here. I'll get you out. Come on.

-SHE LAUGHS

-Oh, my God!

This is going to take forever.

-How are you doing, Mum?

-I'm getting stuck in. I hope you are.

-I am as well.

-Good.

-How about you come back in and help clear up poo?

-I am.

-Good.

My back's aching and I don't like picking up poo.

Are you sure this is on the sheet?

Over in the Furries, Sam and Thomas are hoping their mums

will help complete their tasks without making a squeak.

They must feed the gerbils,

do a full health check,

and Sam's mum has the special task of cleaning out the gerbilarium.

You get to clean this out.

You get to clean the whole of this out.

So, first, we'll have to get them out.

Take some soil out first, then you'll find them.

-So they're in there at the moment?

-They're in there somewhere.

Parents, take some soil out.

Here you go, there's a shovel, get right in there. Go on.

Be careful where you scoop, don't go too deep.

-There are the gerbils, there.

-They're in there?

-Yeah, they're under here.

Oh, there's something running around in there!

SHE SHRIEKS

Ooh, get it!

Open the thing.

This is hilarious!

There are five gerbils!

What's all these...

Guys, I've got one in my hand. No, there's two more to come.

THEY SHRIEK

Sh! What a racket! It's no wonder the gerbils don't want to come out.

Five are out. All five are out. Yes, they're all out.

As this team catches its breath, over in the Reptiles,

one person is hoping they can slither out of a special snake task.

Lauren's dad, we have a special treat for you.

Great stuff.

You get to feed the snake his dinner -

a defrosted mouse.

The team also has to change Tweetie Pie's water

and clean out his enclosure.

-Are you excited?

-Not really, no.

I'm that nervous I can't even get me glove on.

-I'll go and get the defrosted mouse.

-Take your dad with you, too.

-Come on, Dad.

-And also, don't forget the tweezers.

-Yep.

Shall I lift it out? Just take the lid off?

This is going to ming now, isn't it?

If you think it mings now, wait till you hear how you have to serve it.

We need to actually make sure

that this mouse kind of seems like he's a bit alive to the snake, OK?

Make sure the mouse is looking a little bit red round her face,

just get a little bit of blood going,

so that just makes the smell a little bit more tasty for her.

Dangle it around a little bit

and then all of a sudden she'll start rearing,

she might follow it quite slowly,

she'll bend her head a bit, and then she'll have it.

Which I am not wanting to see.

-Good luck.

-Back out in the Fields,

the goats have left Chloe's mum feeling a little gruff.

It would have been nice for Chloe to have come with me and helped.

She knows what she's done. She spent a week with these goats.

I've only just met them. Chloe!

-Why don't you come and help me walk these goats?

-It's your job!

You know these goats.

It's her job, she needs to understand

that if she wants me to do it,

then that's hard and she needs to know that. It's unfair.

This way.

Move!

Oh, dear, oh, dear. It must have been done by now.

-Chloe, do you want your goats back?

-Mum, you've got to keep walking them.

-They're your goats!

-I want you to experience what I had all week

so you know how responsible I was.

Back in the Furries room,

the team are trying to crack the feeding task.

-How do they get into those then?

-They are boiled.

No, they just crack them.

-Yes.

-OK, shall I pop one in?

Hiya. Hi.

I've heard screams down the corridor. How have we got on?

-Good.

-It's been fine, but I'm still a little...

I'm not sure about the eggs. We put hard-boiled eggs in

and I'm not convinced that gerbils can break hard-boiled eggs.

With the shells still on? Interesting, OK.

-We need to break open the eggs.

-Why?

-Two eggs are nearly done.

That's better, look, now they're going to...

-Thomas's mum, have you held one yet?

-No.

-Do you want to hold one?

-No.

-Do you want to just see one?

-No!

-Do you want to stroke one? Go on, Thomas's mum.

-There you go.

That's a lovely one.

Oh, yes. Impressive.

You proved yourself on Pet School, Thomas's mum.

I think having the parents around made the job a lot harder.

Erm, because it was easier when you're all kids.

You know, but there was a lot of screaming from the parents,

which was quite silly, I think.

But I think actually I helped a lot.

Nothing like a family disagreement.

Back in the field, Chloe and her mum are still butting heads.

Do I look like someone who cares for goats?

Look, we have a special task, see? She's special, you're special.

Oh! Them goats don't think so.

Oh, dear...

If they come back in and poo, I won't be impressed.

-Parents, how are we doing?

-Not bad.

-What's going on?

At the moment, we're just cleaning up poo.

-OK, all right.

-Going round and finding piles of poo.

If you did get a pet at home, will that be your job at home?

-No, it'd be Courtney's job.

-Right.

Guys, can you help me get these goats back in?

Chloe, can we bring the goats in?

Oh! I'm tangled up, somehow.

Um, Chloe, shouldn't you be helping your mum?

Aw, thanks William.

- Bring him in. - Like to see your support, Chloe!

I want you to experience what I had to all week!

That was really hard work.

They were just...they're really difficult to walk, really tough,

really strong to pull along.

Cor, that's took it out of me, that has.

They keep on pooing.

They're just pooing more, why did you let them in?

Ah, Courtney - it's a dirty job, but someone's got to do it.

Meanwhile, over in the reptile room, dinner is about to be served.

I'm going to dangle.

And he will...he will not muck around.

Yeah - he will pounce.

FARAMAZ: Marie told us to warn you.

And then straightaway, door shuts as soon as he bites it.

-Oh, he just saw it.

-He's going to take it.

Oh!

KIDS: Let go, let go.

-Feeling nervous, Dad?

-Shut it, shut it.

I...I screamed like a girl!

-Oh, my God! That...

-Nice work!

-That was quick, weren't it!

- Look, look... - I've only seen it on TV.

I'm so glad I'm a human.

Nerves were going, but our Lauren and the kids were very, very good,

they seemed to settle my nerves down,

so...it's a case of the kids teaching the adults!

You see, which is...very rare, like, but it just shows you -

you can always learn from kids.

COCKEREL CROWS

Time is up on Pet Practice.

Have our Pet Heads and parents completed their tasks?

Or do they need to put in some extra work?

Still to come, Courtney's mum tunnels through her fears.

Good, I'm not scared of it, actually.

I thought I would be.

Meadow becomes man's - or rather her dad's - best friend.

Nice to meet you, my new friend!

And will the Pets Heads make the grade

on their end of term reports?

So how well did our Pet Heads and their parents do today?

Chloe, Courtney, William and their mums

completed all their tasks

as did Sam, Thomas and their parents.

And with nerves of steel,

Tommy, Lauren and Faramaz also completed all their tasks.

Our Pet Heads have shown they are well-practised in Pet Practice,

but will they be able to show their parents

they've bonded with their buddies?

See the goats, Mum? No, the guinea pigs!

Yesterday, I called them hamsters.

-This one is probably the most tame.

-How do you know that?

-Because he sits still.

-There's poop everywhere in here!

Yeah - they're animals, they poo.

They don't really have, like, a guinea pig toilet.

-Why's he got a funny hairstyle?

-Because he thinks its awesome.

But this one likes me the most, I swear.

He's the only one that stays still when I come touch him.

He's always flinchy at first.

Hey? You've got to stroke them first, to get them used to you.

So how do you pick it up, then?

You pick it up, um... with one hand under them,

under their tummy, supporting them, and the other on top.

-You want to try holding it?

-I don't know.

-I'll touch it first.

-It's nice.

Are their claws sharp?

What do they eat, then? What's all this?

Er, that's their special guinea pig pellets.

They also have things like rosemary, lemon balm -

you know, things like that, little herbs.

You might find one or two in there.

Of course the hay, I think, as well - they stuff it in.

So what do you put in this ball thing?

I told you - the lemon balm and the rosemary.

It's like a little treat ball.

So you can see, I made it up.

I'm really impressed with Chloe, with the guinea pigs.

She seems to have taken an interest in them,

how to care and look after them

rather than just sit there and cuddle them.

I think Chloe has done quite well.

Nice job, Chloe.

Over in the furries room,

Courtney's mum is trying to get a hand on hamster care.

How can I get him out?

You scoop under him.

If you're not up for it, I don't mind.

-Try it again.

-You get him and I'll hold him.

-I don't want to hurt him.

-Hey, hey, hey, hey.

You cheeky little thing.

Just wait - I'll close it.

Here - keep your hands around.

Mum, I'll go and get a toy and let Patch run around.

No? Too small? That's it - he likes this one.

I don't know how he fits in there.

His nose is twitching - looks like he's going to bite.

No, he's just smelling you to get your scent.

So next time you go to hold him, he'll recognize your scent

and he'll know who you are.

Do you think he knows who you are?

-Oh, yeah, he knows who I am.

-Yeah?

I come every day and I play with him.

Good, I'm not scared of it, actually.

I thought I would be.

That's it, Patch, go on. That's my mum - go.

See? He's just sniffing you to see who you are and get your scent.

I think he likes me better, cos he knows me more.

If Courtney can clean it and look after it

and take responsibility for it,

then I wouldn't mind.

He's quite nice.

Out in the field,

William is introducing his mum to his buddy Flint.

But he's still missing a less furry friend.

Even though I don't love the ferrets as much as Beardy,

I still...I still miss Beardy.

I'm just going to get them out, show you

-and try to get them on a lead.

-OK.

-There they are.

-Aw!

Well, my expectation of the ferret

was that it would not be quite as cute as it is.

I can see why people are attracted to them.

-Shall I hold it while you put the thing on it?

-OK.

-If you just hold it like that.

-Can you do it quickly?

-Um, I will try.

-They're a bit stinky, aren't they?

-Yeah, they are a bit.

-Come on, then.

Hey! They probably think you smell too.

Here we go. Here we go - oh!

-Do they like going for walks, then?

-Yeah, they like it.

-They just like to scurry around everywhere.

-Right.

-How strange.

-If you want to just take it...

So if I walk, it'll follow me, will it?

-Um, no, it's more like you have to follow it.

-Right.

-He's quite inquisitive, isn't he?

-Yeah, they just scurry around.

I'm amazed at William,

because he has never seen a ferret before

and I'm amazed at his confidence with it.

I wonder if you have proved to your mum

that you'd be a responsible pet owner, William?

Over at the cat room,

Faramaz's dad is needing to be convinced more.

A lot more.

Initially, you said you like cats and you want to have a cat -

and if you have a cat, what are you going to do with it?

I'm going to feed it, play with it, um...clean it,

and I'm going to spend less time watching TV or something.

If I get a dog, I'm going to spend most of my time with it.

Either way, it's win-win.

You think you can cope, to look after it very well?

Yeah, yeah - yes, yeah.

The way you say "yeah", I'm not convinced.

Do you really like it?

You're convinced you can look after the cat or dog, if you want to?

-Yes, Daddy.

-Thank you.

Well, we'll find out tomorrow

if you managed to persuade your dad, Faramaz.

Nearby, Lauren's dad is being dogged by a few nerves.

-Hello, you. Hiya.

-She's fine, Dad - stroke her, pet her.

My dad isn't fussed on dogs at all,

because his mum, my nan,

when she was a little girl, she got attacked by a dog.

That's really put him off dogs.

Come on, Meadow.

No need to worry Dad - Meadow is a very happy, friendly dog.

Good girl!

I'm going to get it first.

LAUGHTER

Nice to meet you, my new friend.

My dad literally is like a different person.

He loves dogs now.

I am loving all this animal love.

Over in the reptile room, having got over his snake fears...

Lift, lift, all the way - that's it.

Bring this other hand in - good job.

Now lift her up - you're doing it...

Oh!

..Thomas is hoping Tweety Pie

can snake his way into his mum's heart too.

-If you come over here...

-No.

Just bend down a bit. Can you see that skin there?

-No.

-That little bit of skin there.

-That's enough.

-Calm down.

-That is it.

OK, we'll just take it slowly.

Great thing is, cos it's been fed today,

-it can't be held...

-Brilliant!

-Hello.

-Hello.

-Hi. How are we doing? Seems very calm.

-Ah, look, you can just see...

-I've had a look.

-Yeah? What did you see?

-Just a bit of red.

That's it, yeah - it's a milk snake,

so it's kind of black and white and red.

It's not poisonous, that's a good thing.

-It's called Tweety Pie.

-Brilliant.

Thomas, I'll leave you to it, you're the expert.

-See you later.

-Thank you.

-Bye.

See? It's not so bad.

Just amazed really, I could not do it at all.

-I don't know how... I could not.

-Yeah, see, I knew you couldn't.

-You're very brave.

-You get used to it after a while.

Right.

I think if you were just locked in here for like a week

-you'd get used to it.

-THEY LAUGH

But I don't have the key so I can't do that!

Well done!

It was fun for me but my mum doesn't really like snakes

so it's very hard trying to...

I kind of had to drag her in a bit in the beginning.

Meanwhile with Rosie the rat,

it's looking like some close encounters

are a little too close for comfort.

Why does it have to go on my shoulder? Argh!

It's got very sharp claws!

It won't do anything, just sit there.

Eurgh!

Oh! Samuel!

What is going on here?

Oh, my God! It's running around the back of my neck!

You are doing fine.

So Sam is definitely doing the right thing.

That's it, Sam. Lift her up, support her bottom. Good job.

Today I have brought you a rather mushed-up banana.

And what we are trying to do is just a bit of treat training.

Letting them feed either from the spoon or popping a bit

of food on your finger, and letting them lick from your finger.

OK? So would you like to offer a bit of food maybe,

while she's sitting on Sam's shoulder?

-Yeah.

-How about that?

Just get a little bit of a scoop in there.

She's going on a wander.

Here we go!

Important thing, though, Mum, is just to have a little know

that with rats, they are quite sensitive to loud noises,

so lots of squeaks and squeals

are going to make them quite worried.

OK? And they really do sense how you're feeling about it,

so the more relaxed you become, the more relaxed they become with you.

And they're going to be a little more chilled and slowed down.

So she definitely seems to be liking the banana today.

So I'm going to leave you to it. Bye.

You going to feed?

Yeah. Take her off.

Just hold her by the back of...?

Yeah, go under and then support her.

-Whoa!

-Stroke first, maybe then.

-Oh, there we go.

-Oh!

Come here, my darling, there we go. That's good.

I gave you my best shot!

They weren't as bad as I thought.

But that crawling around the back of your neck is not particularly nice!

But it was OK.

You did very well, Mum.

Outside in the field, Lauren still has one thing to prove -

that she can pick up number twos.

I need to overcome my fears of picking up the poo

because that's the main reason why I'm not allowed a dog.

Cleaning up after a dog, it's a big issue,

she has to learn to do it.

Dad? Come help me do this.

Oh, you know I'm not very good with that.

Oh, fine, I'll do it, OK.

-WRETCHES

-Urgh! Argh! It's wrong!

You said you wanted to see her do it, Dad!

Urgh! That's full of leaves!

Eurgh! Dad! SHE GIGGLES

Go away! Go away! Come on, let's go for a run!

I never thought I'd see the day! Just don't come near me with it!

-OK.

-Stay over there.

OK! But it does make me go, "Bleurgh!"

Stop swinging it. It's not a toy.

OK. You stay over that way.

Good girl.

Well done. Don't touch... Don't touch me!

No, it's the other hand! It's this hand, don't worry.

OK, well done.

My right hand is my easiest hand.

-OK.

-C'mon then!

I was really proud of my dad today

because he tried really hard and put in a lot of effort into trying

to get along with my buddy, and now they are basically best friends.

If you are watching this, well done, Dad.

So this is almost it.

Tomorrow is the last day of Pet School.

ALL: Aaaaw!

Parents, have you enjoyed your visit?

ALL: Yes!

Brilliant. Loved it.

Obviously tomorrow there is a big decision to be made, right?

You all know what's gonna happen?

ALL: # Dun-dun-dun! #

But there's still one thing left to help you make your big decision.

Marie, our Petspert, has got your end of school reports.

Hello, Pet Heads, hello, parents.

Ready to have your end of school reports?

Parents, take them home, have a good read through them

and I think these should help you make your decision.

-So, first up we have Thomas.

-Thank you.

-There you go.

If they said yes, I'd be happy, I'd be clapping, I'd be smiling.

I mean, if they said no, I think I'd probably burst into tears

and probably just want to sit in a corner and cry.

But that's life, Show must go on, as they say.

-Sam's reports.

-Thank you.

At the minute I'm feeling a little bit anxious.

I want to find out what it says,

but I'm just looking forward to the news.

Even if it's a no, I won't be disappointed.

Well, I'd be a bit disappointed.

-Faramaz's as well.

-Thank you.

I feel nervous about the big decision because if they say no,

I'll not cry, I'll be OK, I'll be looking at my shoes.

But if they say yes I'd be literally jumping on the sofa,

if that's allowed.

Chloe.

I don't think I'm gonna get a pet, and that's really upsetting to know

because I think I've worked really hard, and it's all for nothing.

-I've got Lauren's report. There you go.

-Thank you.

If my parents do say yes to having a pet

I'd literally cry with happiness, I'd be so happy.

But I'll be so sad if they say no, it's unbelievable.

Last but not least, we have Courtney's.

Thank you.

I'm quite nervous in case my mum says no, because if she did

I'd be really sad and I'd probably never talk to her ever again.

But then if she said yes

I'd probably be so happy I'd probably burst!

-See you later.

-ALL: Bye, Marie.

So, parents, you've got a night to sleep on it.

You cannot show your Pet Heads what's inside these reports.

It's just for you to make your big decision.

-No!

-This is so bad!

It's not unfair, this is the reality, what's happening.

Go get some sleep and we'll see you tomorrow.

-Off you go.

-See you tomorrow.

-See ya.

Our parents today really got to see

just what our Pet Heads have been up to.

And in 24 hours we are going to find out which of our Pet Heads

are going to be new pet owners. I'm nervous for them.

It's gonna be a dramatic day. Don't miss registration tomorrow,

when we'll have all of this.

Next time on Pet School, it's decision day.

Have our Pet Heads done enough to change their parents' minds?

I've tried my hardest so take that into consideration.

And who will be graduating from Pet Head to pet owner?

Pet School, Day 9, morning assembly. 3...2...1...

ALL CLAP

Because today...is Parents' Day.