The secret life of pets in lockdown
Elise O'Neil (Grade 1 Teacher) + Miss Dolly Purrton
What is your pet’s name? Miss Dolly Purrton
What sort of animal is your pet? A long-haired calico 2-year old cat from a rescue shelter. I am convinced she is a Norwegian Forest Cat because of her tufty ears and her unusual love of water.
Does your pet have any nicknames? So many! She usually goes by ‘Queen D’ because she is convinced the world revolves around her. Doll and Princess Meow Meow are close seconds.
Where is your pet likely to be found while you are doing your schoolwork at home? Dolly has a clear favourite, and it’s not me! She will always be curled up by Eddy’s feet in the office.
What do you think your pet gets up to when they are home alone? Dolly would find herself a box to curl up in, watch some Netfurlix, stand in front of the mirror to repeat her daily apurrmation “I am the Queen”, and then pass the afternoon having a stare off with her arch nemerhiss Captain Noisy Miner bird before ending the day by sitting in the street-side window with preened whiskers to accept the praise of people walking by.
Sophie Maher (4KD) + Henry
What is your pet’s name? Henry Vegemite Race Maher
What sort of animal is your pet? A groodle dog
Does your pet have any nicknames? Henna, Noogie, Hen, Hensy, Bubba, Puppy, Hank
Where is your pet likely to be found while you are doing your schoolwork at home? Looking through the window at me
What do you think your pet gets up to when they are home alone? Playing with Pippin the next door neighbour dog. And drinking out of the fish pond.
Melinda Wilson (Education Support) + Stick Insect Number 75
What is your pet’s name? Hi, my name is stick insect number 75. I live with 25 of my sisters in a green tree frog enclosure in Melinda’s kitchen/dining room. We used to live in a smaller house, but since the frog moved onto the big pond in the sky, we have been enjoying a more spacious home. Especially since sisters 1-74 moved on to the pet shop, we can stretch-out a bit more and just hang about.
What sort of animal is your pet? Scientifically we are called Extatosoma tiaratum, but you can call me Spiny Stick insect. We are found along the coast of Queensland. To be quite honest, I wish we were still there, because then we wouldn’t be in lockdown. But at least here we get fresh foliage once a week, fresh water every day and I can socialise with my 24 other sisters.
Does your pet have any nicknames? Spiny - I don’t think my owners can tell us apart - except Spinys 75-80. We are older and have gone through as few molts and are starting to look interesting. The younger siblings just look like ants.
Where is your pet likely to be found while you are doing your schoolwork at home?
We just watch what is going on, eat, hang around, sleep, eat, get some vitamin D, sleep. On Saturday there was a bit of excitement as a few of my sisters escaped and got out into the kitchen. They were rounded up pretty quickly though and returned home. The longest anyone has got out for was a couple of days, and they were found on the window in the lounge room. I think they were pleased not to have been squashed in the blind!
Ivy Burge (PRH) + Marlon
What is your pet’s name? Marlon William Burge, named after the NZ singer :)
What sort of animal is your pet? He is a Boston Terrier.
Where is your pet likely to be found while you are doing your schoolwork at home? Under my chair, on my lap or lying in the sun.
What do you think your pet gets up to when they are home alone? He would be sleeping in his cosy little bed ;);
Rosy Green (Art Teacher) + Frank and Oscar
What are your pets' names? Frank and Oscar.
What sort of animals are your pets? Cats (they are brothers).
Do your pets have any nicknames? Frankie and Ockie.
Where are your pets likely to be found while you are doing your schoolwork at home? Lying on someone’s lap, or sitting on the table nudging our computers during Webex meetings.
What do you think your pets get up to when they are home alone? I think they spend a lot of time on their lookout perch on the deck watching the neighbourhood cat action (they would love to join in but they are mainly indoor cats). I know Oscar spends time looking for woollen clothes to chew on – I’ve lost count of the socks and jumpers he’s ruined! Maybe they dream of being outside talking to the kangaroos at my Mum’s house.