Fed: PM advised on the purr-fect move for Jasper and Abby

AAP General News (Australia)
12-04-2007
Fed: PM advised on the purr-fect move for Jasper and Abby

By Sandra O'Malley

CANBERRA, Dec 4 AAP - The move from Brisbane's Norman Park to The Lodge may be difficult
for Kevin, Therese and Marcus, but spare a thought for Abby and Jasper.

Abby the golden retriever and Jasper the cat will be the first pets to roam the gardens
of the prime ministerial residence since the Keatings and their dog, Reuben, left The
Lodge in 1996.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, his wife Therese Rein and their youngest son Marcus will
soon move into their new Canberra home after the Howards packed up last week.

Ms Rein was in Canberra last week checking out schools for 13-year-old Marcus but two
other members of the household may also need a bit of help adjusting to their new lifestyle.

Throughout the six-week campaign, Mr Rudd often referred to the "crazy" pets who joined
the rest of the family when they gathered on the verandah of the Norman Park home for
a family conference.

"We've got this crazy dog whose name is Abby. She's a golden retriever," he told Rove McManus.

"She's our guard dog and ever since our security detail arrived from the Australian
Federal Police for this campaign she's licked them all to death and regarded them all
as members of the family.

"(And) we've got this crazy cat whose name is Jasper."

Michael Linke, chief executive of RSPCA ACT, says routine and familiarity will be key
to easing the transition from Brisbane to Canberra for Jasper and Abby.

"Some of the things they could do, especially for the dog, is make sure it has familiar
things (around)," he said.

"Its bed, its toys, its water bowl, its food bowl should all come down, so there's
familiarity for the golden retriever."

After more than a decade without pets on the property, Mr Linke said it would be wise
to ensure there were no animal-sized escape routes from the Lodge, which faces on to the
busy Canberra thoroughfare, Adelaide Avenue.

"They should make sure there are no crooks and crannies they can get stuck in or (escape
from) ... especially for the cat, as cats are quite agile critters," he said.

Australia's new first family might also have to bone up on pet laws in the ACT as it
is mandatory in some Canberra suburbs - although not yet in Forrest - to keep cats indoors.

If in doubt, Mr Linke has offered to brief the new prime minister on how to best ease
the move for the smallest members of the family.

AAP so/sb/cjh/sp

KEYWORD: LABOR RUDD PETS

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