By Marsie Hall Newboldt
Enquirer contributor

Who: Kim Fain, 38, of Finneytown, a wife, mom and business owner with a lifelong love for giraffes.

Kim Fain is surrounded by giraffes in her home. (Craig Ruttle photo) | ZOOM |

On display: A herd of the long-necked creatures made from materials as diverse as pewter, glass ,wood, plastic, brass and wax. She also owns stuffed animals, and giraffe-themed prints, photographs, mugs, frames and jewelry.

Where: In the "jungle room" of the home she shares with husband, Tim, and their four children, Doug, 18, Lindsay, 12, Haley, 10, and James, 2. It also doubles as the office for Superior Secretarial Consulting, Mrs. Fain's typing and desktop publishing business.

It is dubbed the "jungle room" partly due to the giraffes in residence but also because of the dÈcor, which includes leopard print curtains, jungle print lampshade and matching rug.

Childhood memories: "I've been fascinated with giraffes for as long as I can remember," Mrs. Fain says. "It started when I was a toddler and my family took me to the Cincinnati Zoo. Even though I don't recollect this clearly, I was told that I didn't like any of the animals except the giraffe. This was probably because he could lean down towards me."

No need for worms: The greatest length that Mrs. Fain has gone to for a giraffe was at age 12 when she fished a wooden figurine out of a sewer. The metal grate was too heavy to lift, but she and her pals managed to get to the giraffe using a broomstick. She can still point out the rescued giraffe in her collection.

Heroine: "I saved its life," she mock-boasts. "It's very grateful."

Through the years, friends and family have added to the collection.

Share your prize possessions with Marsie Hall Newbold by mail: c/o The Enquirer, 312 Elm St., Cincinnati, OH 45202, e-mail: marsolete@aol.com. Please include a daytime telephone number.