THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, September 28, 1995 TAG: 9509270128
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Close Up
SOURCE: Vicki Lewis
LENGTH: Medium: 60 lines
Andree Jones is the owner of Exotic Pets and Plants on West 21st Street in Norfolk.
She opened the store in 1988, she said, ``with a great a love of animals.''
``Unless you love animals,'' she said, ``you can't do this.''
Her shop sells birds, reptiles, fish and small, somewhat unusual animals, like hedgehogs and prairie dogs.
Jones, who was born in Hong Kong while her father was working for the British government and who has lived all over the world, moved to the United States in 1972.
At home, she's surrounded by animals, too. She has two dogs and ``a very, very outspoken bird,'' a male eclectus that she calls Baby.
Baby's voice sounds so much like Jones' that once, when her father was visiting from England, he thought he was having a conversation with his daughter in another room, but it turned out that he was conversing with the bird.
Name: Andree Jones.
Nickname: No, thank you.
What brought you to Norfolk: TWA - just kidding.
Birthplace: Hong Kong.
Birthdate: Oct. 1, Libra.
Occupation: Pet shop owner/ bird breeder.
Marital status: Married to the store.
Children: These days all my children have feathers.
Last book read: ``Women Who Run With Wolves.''
Favorite movie: ``Medicine Man.''
Favorite magazine: Bird Talk (of course).
If you could trade places for just one day with anyone in the world, who would it be and why? I don't want to be anyone else - I'm still working on myself.
Biggest accomplishment: When my first parrot egg hatched.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? I like me with all my faults; change isn't always good.
Perfect way to spend the day: A day to sit and do nothing.
Favorite vacation spot: England.
Hardest job: The one I have now.
Hobbies: Shopping for good deals, reading, growing herbs and using them in food preparation.
Favorite restaurant: A little restaurant in Virginia Beach that I'll keep to myself. I like good food, simply and properly prepared. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by JIM WALKER
Andree Jones shows off a blue and gold macaw at her store, Exotic
Pets and Plants.
by CNB