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Is there a question you'd like to ask Gilby? You can call him on the telephone (ask Mom or Dad to help you), write him a letter or send him an e-mail!

e-mail: gilby@askgilby.com
 
phone: 330-761-2928
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Ask Gilby®
70 N. Broadway
Akron, OH 44308

Below are some of the questions Gilby has answered:

Where do fireflies sleep? Wag-A-Wow!! Fireflies are fun to catch in the summertime. Just like everyone else, fireflies sleep. Around 9 o'clock, their glow fades; and they go to sleep.
Why did you have to move to the firehouse, Gilby? Wag-A-Wow!! I moved to the firehouse because I am a Dalmatian. Dalmatians help protect firefighters when they are in danger.

How can I get Purple ratings every day  in school for model behavior? Right now, I get a lot of Green ratings for focused behavior,  and sometimes I get Yellow for not working and unfocused behavior.

Wag-A-Wow!! In order to get good ratings at school, you should ask your teacher what you can do. Sometimes kindergartners get yellow ratings because they are talking to their friends or because they aren't paying attention. Just ask you teacher what you can do, and I'm sure you'll get better ratings in no time! Good luck!

Why do people grow at different paces?

Wag-A-Wow!, you are a big girl!! I am just a little puppy still, much younger than you. Everyone is different, so everyone grows differently. You might grow a lot this year, but you might not. It all depends on what your body wants to do. No matter what, you will grow up to be an adult some day!

How do the bones inside you move, so that your body can move?

 

Wag-A-Wow!! Bones move with a lot of help! You need muscles to pull on bones so that you can move. Along with muscles and joints, bones are responsible for you being able to move. Your muscles are attached to bones. When muscles tighten, the bones they are attached to move.

How many libraries are there altogether in the world?

Wag-A-Wow!! There are sooooooooo many libraries in the world that it's impossible to count! There are almost 20 libraries in my town, and I go to them all the time to read stories and check out books! I'm sure there are a lot of libraries in your town, too; so make sure you try to visit one and get some great books!!

Why do I go to the eye doctor and the doctor who has shots for me?

Wag-A-Wow!! Going to the doctor can sometimes be very scary! They give you shots, and they hurt; but they keep you from getting sick. That way, you won’t have to go to the doctor for being sick. You go to the eye doctor so he or she can check your eyes and make sure you can see well. The eye doctor might give you glasses if you need help seeing. I know it might make you nervous, but going to the doctor is very important. Just remember, when you go, that they are making sure you stay healthy!

Can penguins fly? Wag-A-Wow!! Penguins are funny-looking birds who waddle when they walk. I remember seeing them at the zoo one day! Penguins can't fly. Their wings are built for swimming, not flying. They can swim really fast in the water.

How do you pick what question you answer on TV? Plus, I was wondering if you get most of the questions by e-mail?

Wag-A-Wow!! Many boys and girls ask me questions, and some of them are through e-mails. I try to answer all the questions. I have friends who are teachers, and they help me pick the questions to answer on TV.

Do people have magic powers?

 

Wag-A-Wow!! I am glad you asked if people have magic powers! And they do!!! People have magic powers when they are kind and help others who need it. Every day, you can use your own magic powers by helping your friends when they need it, smiling and giving your parents a hug. When you do these things, they can magically help others smile and make them happy. I hope you use you magical powers today. I am!!

Why do people have different-colored eyes but we can all see the same things? Wag-A-Wow!! Every one of us is different, and so is our eye color. Just like some of us have brown hair, blonde hair or white fur with black spots, we have different eye colors, too. It all depends on what color eyes your parents have and what kind of genes you have.
Why are people who live in Alaska called Eskimos?

Wag-A-Wow!! Eskimos are native Americans. People in Alaska are called Eskimos because they traveled to Alaska all the way from Asia! Eskimos lived in some of the world's coldest areas near the Arctic Circle. Brrrrrrr!!! Eskimos built igloos to keep warm and hunted for fish to eat.

How do ears work? Wag-A-Wow!! Your ears are very important. Think what it would be like if you could not hear people talking or music or the telephone ring or your pet dog bark. If your ears are working well, you hear sounds all the time. You can’t switch your ears off, even when you are asleep. The ear canal pulls sound waves to your eardrum (a thin, sensitive membrane stretched tightly over the entrance to your middle ear). The waves cause your eardrum to vibrate, which makes the sounds that you hear.
I cannot find my toys. I need your help! Wag-A-Wow!! Where have all your toys gone? Did you check your toy box? That’s where I keep all of my toys!!! It’s very important to put your toys away in the right place, so you know where to find them. If they are not in your toy box, maybe you can ask your Mom or Dad where they might be. I hope you can find them real soon and play!

Why does Gilby only talk once in a while, not on every show?

Wag-A-Wow!! I used to be very shy on my show, Ask Gilby®! I hardy wanted to talk back then. As I became more and more confident in myself, I kept on trying; and, now, I am not as shy as I used to be! I am so proud of myself and so are my friends!

How old are you? Where do you live? I live in Arizona.

Wag-A-Wow!! I am 7 years old - that's 49 in dog years!! I live in a place called Akron, Ohio, where it snows in the winter! I have heard that Arizona is very hot all the time!

Why do we have water in our body? Wag-A-Wow!! Your body is made up mostly of water. Approximately 85% of your brain, 80% of your blood and 70% of your muscle is water. Every cell in your body needs water to live. You can see how important water is to you.
Why does everybody have ears?

Wag-A-Wow!! We have ears so we can hear each other talk and listen to all the wonderful sounds of nature. Our ears are amazing features of our bodies.

Why is it so important to know how to read?

 
Wag-A-Wow!! Learning how to read is one of the most important things to you can do!!!! Just think, if you didn’t know how to read, you wouldn't be able to talk with me through this e-mail. Every day is filled with words and things to read -- street signs, food packages, newspapers and so much more!!! Reading books is a fun way to spend time, too. When you read, you learn new things all the time.
Why does the sun shine? Wag-A-Wow!! The sun shines because it sends out energy in all directions as radiation. The radiation keeps us warm and helps plants grow! It’s almost summer, so we can start enjoying the sunshine more often. I love summer!!
Are you really a dog? Wag-A-Wow!! I am a real Dalmatian dog, but TV makes me look different. I am special because I can talk and fetch answers. I am so happy you found my show, and now I have a new friend.
How is butter made? Wag-A-Wow!! Butter comes from cow’s milk or cream. Farmers go out in the morning, milk their cows and then churn the cream to make butter. Churning mixes the cream really fast, so it turns into a solid butter. After that, it’s pasteurized and turned into the sticks or tubs that you see in stores.
How to you play a trumpet? Wag-A-Wow!! The trumpet is a fun instrument to play. It’s used in rock bands, orchestras and jazz ensembles. Kids can learn how to play the trumpet by using a few simple steps. But playing well requires lots and lots of practice. First, you need to know how to read music notes. Then, you will have to learn about all the parts that make up a trumpet and also how to hold it. An easy way to learn is to take band at your school. Your music teacher can show you how to play along with your friends!!

Why did LeBron James leave Cleveland to go play basketball in Miami? I am confused.

 

I am confused about LeBron James, too! Sometimes, players move to different cities because it's easier for them to win or maybe because their friends live there. Maybe LeBron moved because the weather is nicer in Miami -- I'm not really sure. Hopefully, he'll let us know why some day.

What kind of food do you like?  Do you like cottage cheese?

Yummy yum! I like cottage cheese, too! In fact, I like all kinds of cheese. My favorite is cheddar. Cottage cheese has a lot of calcium in it, so it will make you grow big and strong!

Where do I live? I am not sure where you live. Maybe you could ask your parents. I live in Akron, Ohio! Do you live in Ohio or another state?
Do you ever have to go to the doctor?

Wag-A-Wow!! Going to the doctor can sometimes be very scary! Doctors give you shots and they hurt, but they keep you from getting sick. That way, you won't have to go to the doctor for being sick. I know it might make you nervous, but going to the doctor is very important. Just remember when you go, that they are making sure you stay healthy! I go to the vet for checkups all the time!

How to giraffes sleep? How to fish sleep? Wag-A-Wow!! Did you know that giraffes are the tallest animal?!! Giraffes stand up when they sleep just in case they have to run away from another animal. I bet they look really funny standing up when they sleep. Fish sleep but not the same way as people sleep. People are generally still, with eyes closed, during sleep. Most fish don't have eyelids, so they obviously can't close their eyes to go to sleep. And some fish do seem to stop moving when they sleep — they just kind of float.
Is Santa real? Wag-A-Wow!! Santa Claus is a magical spirit who lives inside of everyone who believes in him. If you believe he is real, then he sure is!! I can’t wait for Santa to visit my house and bring me lots of presents. What did you ask Santa for this year?
How can birds fly when there's gravity? Wag-A-Wow!! Birds are made to be able to fly. Their bones are much lighter than yours or mine so that they weigh less, and their wing muscles are very strong so that they can flap them very fast. Birds’ feathers are also set up so that air can’t get between them, and they catch like a kite catches the wind; but, unlike a kite, birds can adjust their feathers when they want to take off and land. That’s kind of like when a pilot adjusts the flaps on airplane wings.  Birds move their wings so that the air can lift them if they want and take them back down when they want. When they want to fly, they flap their wings against the air - like when you and I go swimming and you move your hands and feet to push the water to make yourself go and I use my paws. It’s not that birds don’t feel gravity; they are just able to cancel it out. I wish that I could fly like a bird; that would be fun!

Do you go to kids’ houses sometimes?  Can you come to my house?

Wag-A-Wow!! I wish I could come to my friends’ houses! That would be so much fun! Sadly, I have a very early bedtime because it’s important to get lots of sleep so that you are ready for the day ahead! Whenever I’m not thinking about fun and exciting things for my show, I’m learning new things when I fetch answers to questions just like yours! I’m sad that I don't have time come to your house, but you can still see me on television!
How old are you? Wag-A-Wow!! I am 8 years old!
What is your favorite color, and what would it be like if we had no bones? Wag-A-Wow!! Do you like first grade? My favorite color is purple; I love it so much that it’s the color of my collar! If we had no bones, we would probably flop around and be unable to move! Humans and puppies are supposed to have skeletons, but some other animals don’t have bones on purpose. Jellyfish in the ocean don’t have a skeleton like ours, and they’re kind of squishy and can’t move the way we do. Other animals, like grasshoppers and crabs, don’t have bones like ours; they have their skeletons on the outside, and this is called an exoskeleton.
Why is Food City so icky? Why do chicken pox itch me?

Wag-A-Wow!! I searched and searched; but I don't know what Food City is, so I can't tell you why it's so icky - I'm sorry! On your other question, I managed to fetch an answer. Do you have chicken pox? I hope not because I don't like it when my friends are sick! I did some digging, and here is the scoop on chicken pox and why they're so itchy. All the red dots that show up to make you look all funny have a chemical in them that sends a message to your brain. The message says to your brain "there is something on my skin, get it off"; and it feels like you need to scratch. The good news is that the itching should only last for 3-4 days! The bad news is that you need to try your hardest not to scratch so you won't spread the germs from your skin and cause an infection. I recommend a distraction like a puzzle, a board game or watching me on TV!

I was wondering how they make grapefruit.

Wag-A-Wow!! Grapefruit isn't made, it's grown! Grapefruit is picked from the trees that it's grown on. Harvesters, people picking grapefruit, used to pick them by hand; but now they have built a machine that shakes the trees so that the grapefruit fall off the tree. Do you like grapefruit?

I was wondering how you make candles. Wag-A-Wow!! Do you want to make your own candles? You can do that if your parents will help! You can get candle wax at any craft store, and you can color it using old crayons (you can peel your old crayons and add them to the wax so they melt). Make sure an adult helps you to melt the wax using a double boiler. This means that you melt the wax in an old can, inside a pot of boiling water. Make sure that you are very careful not to burn yourself, though. It’s best to leave these steps to an adult. You can also get the candle wicks at a craft store. You can hold the wick inside an old empty jar as long as you make sure to hold it straight and upright while an adult carefully pours in the wax. Or you can tie the wick to a pencil and dip the hanging part of the wick into the hot wax lots and lots of times. Make sure to let the wick dry a few seconds between dips and don't leave the wick in the hot wax too long or it will melt all of your progress! It can be lots of fun to make candles as long as you have an adult to help you so that you do not get hurt!
Do you have any sisters or brothers? Wag-A-Wow!! I am an only puppy. That means I don't have any brothers or sisters! Sometimes I wish I had a sibling to play with; I'm sure they could help me fetch answers! Do you have any brothers or sisters? 
What is a flute?

Wag-A-Wow!! The flute is a type of musical instrument in the woodwind family. Other woodwind instruments are clarinets and saxophones. Today, the flute is a long metal pipe with buttons, known as keys, which the flute player presses to cover holes. When the flute player blows air across the hole in the mouthpiece and presses the keys, the notes change. In the past, flutes were made of wood and had holes that the player covered with his/her fingers rather than keys. There are different kinds of flutes, such as the piccolo, which looks just like a regular concert flute except that it is much smaller and sounds much higher. Are you interested in learning to play a musical instrument? You should talk to your music teacher at school to learn about lots of different kinds of instruments that you might want to play!

How do fireflies light up?

Wag-A-WOW!! Fireflies have chemicals in their tails that cause them to glow. This is how fireflies say "hello" to other fireflies!

What is your favorite football team in the NFL?

I love football! My favorite team is the Cleveland Browns! I have many friends who live in Cleveland, and I love to root for the Browns.

Do you have any parents, and where are they now? My mommy and daddy live nearby, and I love it when they come to visit! I live with Miss Kathy, and I listen to her like I listen to my mom.
Why do we have to eat breakfast? Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. It gives your body energy when you go to school or go out to play. I always start the day with a bowl of cereal or an apple.
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