06 November 2009
A relationship between a pet and its owner is mutually cordial. Our curiosity tempts us to dig deeper. Debbie Pickett and company fill us in on theirs.
Brief family profile
Debbie shares her house in Silverfields Park, west of Johannesburg in South Africa with her husband, daughter Michelle and son, Gareth.
Extended family members of the Picketts include:
Punk, a 7 year old female Jack Russell also affectionately known as “Monkey”; Coda, a 4 year old female Chow nicknamed “Bear”; 3 year old Snoopy, AKA "Nunu", also a Jack Russell; 8 month old male Labrador named Jack; a 5 month male called Phumba and Herbie, a 39 year old male African Grey parrot.
A: (Debbie): They enrich my life.
A: I acquired them at various times.
Q: Please explain the circumstances under which you
acquired each one of your Cute & Adorable pets.
A: Coda was found in a manhole, Snoopy was
found abandoned because of albinism, Pumba is a
2008 Christmas present from Michelle and
Gareth after we lost three dogs during that year.
Jack and Punk we bought together as a family and
Herbie was inherited from my late mom-in-law
in 1988.
Q: Who or what did you name your pets after?
A: Cartoons. Debbie cuddles Snoopy and Pumba. Jack seems envious
Q: How do you manage to give each pet emotional attention in such a big
pet household?
A: I treat them all as equals.
Q: Do the pets add to or reduce your stress level. If so, in what way?
A: They reduce it by making me laugh and, walking them is good for me too.
pets? (Pease describe activities you do together)
A: Training and going to Walkhaven in Muldersdrift. Walkhaven
is a huge, multi acre property at which dogs are brought in to
enjoy a leash-free moment and also have the opportunity to
socialize with their peers.
manage, especially from a physical confrontation perspective.
Can you share what the situation is like in the Pickett's
household?
One big happy family! Gareth, Jack (foreground), A: My dogs hardly fight. They know very well “who wears the Coda, Debbie, Snoopy and Michelle pants in this house”. Debbie whispers ... she (Coda) is the 'man'.
A: Oh yes! Unfortunately the culprit (whispering - Coda) bit more
than she could chew that day as the Parrot bit her hands down.
Q: So how is the relationship (between Coda and the Parrot) ever since?
A: It unfortunately grew unpleasant and the plausible solution
was to relocate the Parrot by giving her to a close family friend.
And that left Herbie a loner since.
Q: Is there a pet/s that you love more than the other/s? If so, why?
A: No, I love them all in their special way.
Q: When separation moments hit (when you leave for work for example), 
do your pets exhibit any signs of separation anxiety? If so, how do you re-assure each one of them?
A: The usual stroke, cuddle and a kiss does the trick. When the family’s
away for longer periods, I arrange a locum. It could be a friend or
relative.
Q: Does your family share your passion for pets?
A: Yes. Absolutely. In fact, Coda will always sit on my husband’s
lap when he is watching TV. And he seems to love it the way
he encourages her. And during the hot season, when he jumps into
the swimming pool, Coda tails him unfailingly.
Coda indulges in her pastime - glutting
A: Not with the current pets. As I said, we had three dogs that had to be put down due to their respective serious health conditions. The one, a 12 year old had cancer, the other, a Great Dane was old, 14 years. The last one had severe cardiac problems and medication was no longer effective. Otherwise, I have a fantastic Vet.
Q: Do you ever imagine life without your pets? A: Never.
Q: What is each of your pet’s favourite eats, and how often do you spoil
her/him?
A: Marrow bones over weekends and Beeno biscuits.
Q: Do you have a tradition of spoiling your pets on their birthdays?
(Please describe what you usually do)
A: No. Everyday is a birthday.
Q: Do you carry you pets’ photos in your purse or somewhere with you?
A: Only the ones no longer with me (that died).
Q: If you do, for what reason?
A: As memoirs.
Q: Any other thing you might like to share with us about your pets that was not covered above? The introverted Herbie in his lair
A: Coda's appetite is inflationary; Snoopy is a snob par excellence; Jack is very crazy and naughty; Phumba is an extrovert who loves just about everyone and, Punk is a serious ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) case. Herbie is a split personality - very shy in the presence of strangers but an unbelievable chatterbox when in familiar company.
FE Ndhlovu
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