Pets of the Week

May 27 2007

CHARLIE

This three-year-old flat-coated retriever lives with Katie Cormack in New Stevenston, Lanarkshire. Where did you get him?

From a breeder in Gretna.

What does he eat?

Anything and everything.

Where is his name from?

I liked a few names, including Jake and Rory, but couldn't decide which one to choose. I popped all three in a hat and Charlie was picked.

What does he like doing?

Playing with my rabbit Barney and my guinea pig Cookie.

How does he behave around people?

He loves meeting people and is very friendly but he can sometimes get a bit over-excited.

What's the oddest thing he has done?

I was playing hide and seek with him and hid behind a wall. When I heard him coming, I jumped out but the poor wee soul got such a big fright that he ran into the bin.

TAZ

This three-year-old guinea pig lives with Michelle and Daniel in Lennoxtown, Stirlingshire. Where did you get him?

From the Acorn Pet Supplies store at Dobbies Garden Centre in Milngavie.

What does he eat?

Guinea pig mix, carrots, broccoli and lettuce. His favourite food is cucumber.

Where is his name from?

He's named after the cartoon character Taz, the Tasmanian devil. It's very apt - he's a wee devil!

What does he like doing?

He loves getting out of his cage to play, running through his chew tubes, playing with his wooden football and being chased around the living room. The highlight of his day is playing tug of war with the mail.

How does he behave around people?

When you enter the room, he squeaks until he gets a cuddle from you.

What's the oddest thing he has done?

He growls at the postman and runs into the kitchen growling until he gets lettuce.

LEO AND ZELDA

These shih-tzus, aged six and two, live with Patricia Cockburn in Simshill, Glasgow. Where did you get them?

From a breeder in Carluke, Lanarkshire.

What do they eat?

Butchers or Cesar dog food but they also love chicken, tuna, toast and various treats.

Where are their names from?

Leo looks like a little lion and Zelda is named after a character from the programme Sabrina The Teenage Witch.

What do they like doing?

Play fighting, going to the park, chasing birds and drinking from the garden hose.

How do they behave around people?

They are very friendly. Leo always brings a present from the toy box to visitors, even the meter man. Zelda was shy at first but was soon following her big brother everywhere.

What's the oddest thing they've done?

Leo carried a bright yellow baby dummy all the way through the park while Zelda once mugged a man for his ice-cream cone.

DANDYLION AND ANGELO

Dandylion is a golden Persian kitten while Angelo is a white chinchilla Persian. They are both five months old and live with Annette Saleem in Crookston, Glasgow. Where did you get them?

From a breeder in Newcastle.

What do they eat?

Whiskas kitten food but they love chicken. They run to the fridge every time I open it and miaow until I give them some.

Where are their names from?

Dandylion, or Dandy for short, looks like a tiny lion with his huge mane. Angelo is after Newcastle's Angel Of The North statue. He is also like an angel - very sweet.

What do they like doing?

Playing with each other and following me around. They also like to clean one another.

How do they behave around people?

They would rather play than get petted.

What's the oddest thing they've done?

Dandy ran up my clothes while I was ironing and sat on my shoulder. Angelo gets trapped in the living room by shutting the door.