Kyla Pratt certainly knows Maya Dolittle quite well. She's been playing the character since she was 12 in the first remake, Dr. Dolittle, as Eddie Murphy's daughter. Now she's all grown up and a veternarian of her own... one, of course, who can talk to animals. She's taken over the series since Dr. Dolittle 3 and this new fourth installment, Dr. Dolittle: Tail to the Chief, which was recently released on DVD. I had the chance to ask Ms. Pratt some questions via email, and here's what she had to say.

You've been with this series from the beginning, back to the first Dr. Dolittle, film with Eddie Murphy 10 years ago. How does it feel to basically be taking over this series?

Kyla Pratt: It feels great to be working on a series like this. Being in the first two as Eddie Murphy's daughter was a wonderful experience. And to be able to become the doctor myself was soooooo fun.

Have there been any talks with Eddie Murphy about doing a cameo and reprising his role as your father? Maybe checking in on you or something like that?

Kyla Pratt: No there hasn't really been any talks of Eddie Murphy returning. But hey you never know.

Tell us a little bit about this new installment, Tail to the Chief. What can we expect from your character and this story?

Kyla Pratt: Dr. Dolittle: Tail to the Chief was a fun movie to shoot. So many
different animals. Rhino, chinchilla, wallaby, giraffes etc. My
character, Maya, is basically going through the similar things a regular young adult would go through. Just a lil extra gift (talking to animals) comes along with it. Maya is dealing with getting into college and saving a country at the same time. It's a fun film that everyone in the family will enjoy.

What was it like working with Peter Coyote? Does he cast as big a shadow as I imagine he does?

Kyla Pratt: Peter Coyote was cool to work with. Funny guy. I have been blessed to work with a lot of humble people who love what they do.

When you took over as the main focus of this series, did you do a lot of research or spend time with vet's?

Kyla Pratt: I didn't do a lot of research with vets. I figured Maya was trying to get into vet school so we would just learn at the same time.

Have they ever talked about taking this series back to a theatrical release, or will it just continue on DVD?

Kyla Pratt: This series of Dr. Dolittle movies will continue to come out on DVD. I think they are great films to watch in the comfort of your own home.

What can you tell us about the upcoming Dr. Doolittle Goin to Hollywood, or Hotel for Dogs?

Kyla Pratt:Dr. Dolittle: Goin Hollywood is a continuation of Tail to the Chief. Maya takes a trip to Los Angeles and may become a star in the process. Hotel for Dogs is a film i just finished which should be out early 2009. its a fun film about two orphans who try to save dogs in there neighborhood that is also starring Emma Roberts, Don Cheadle & Lisa Kudrow

Finally, do you have any pets yourself, and, if they could talk, what do you think they'd say to you?

Kyla Pratt: I have two dogs. Their names are Onyx and Pookie. They are really greedy so if they could talk to me they would say 'Give me all the food on your plate.'

Dr. Dolittle: Tail to the Chief is on the DVD shelves now.