“Chook (now her name) was wild when I first came here. Now, if I’m a bit slow feeding her, she walks up the veranda steps and looks through the glass front door.”

(c) Andrew Calder

Popularity: 21% [?]

 ”This was the first and only attempt I’ve had at photographing fireworks. I used a tripod. It was in Traralgon and the fireworks were put on by the Lion’s Club - I don’t know what their reason was, most likely to raise money. I remember, as usual, Ella my whippet was with me. I was so focussed on the photography that I didn’t realise she was in distress from the explosions of the fireworks. A good person who was behind me and noticed her, held her close and covered her ears. She was the sort of dog who could bring out compassion and caring in most peopleJ; she would use this skill to her advantage in her everyday life usually to improve her comfort, or to get a dog chocolate or shame you into playing with her or taking her for a walk. It was taken 26th November , 2004.”

(c) Andrew Calder

Popularity: 23% [?]

“I’ve more or less decided to be friends with Floss, we have stuff in common. She’s a funny girl. I was trying to take photos of the poor chook today, and I think floss was jealous, she kept chasing the chook away. She was quite happy for me to take pictures of her though.”

(c) Andrew Calder

Excerpt from email sent late February.

Popularity: 27% [?]

“I have no idea where the chook lives. She shows up when she is hungry, and is often  looking in through the bathroom window. Her and the cat lived here for two months  with nobody looking after them, until I moved in. I’m amazed the cat didn’t eat her. She is pretty bossy when she wants to be fed.”

(c) Andrew Calder

Popularity: 18% [?]

(c) Andrew Calder

When Andy moved into his new home, there was already an inhabitant. He named her ‘dirty fairy floss’, owing to her colour, which I shortened to ‘floss’. Despite not being a cat person, he grew fond of ‘floss’ and related many of her adventures to me. Andy loves animals and I wasn’t surprised! She has now returned to her owner.

Popularity: 27% [?]