Escapee pets: now you see them...

This video of an enterprising Beagle escaping its enclosure reminds me of some of the 'Houdini' pets I've known as a vet nurse.

Oscar, a striking black Oriental cat, didn't like being left alone and would go in search of human company. At various times he was returned to our clinic by concerned people who had found him at the local shops, lapping up attention on the counter at a video store, and once on a public bus.

Nikita, a brown kelpie, was storm phobic and always jumped the fence at the first sound of thunder. Typically she would be picked up on the road, desperate to jump into the first open car door so she could enjoy the comfort of human companionship.

My own two dogs went through a phase of shooting out the front door every time they could. Gleefully oblivious to all our calls, whistles and threats, they'd usually go down to the lake for a swim, and then bring themselves home. On one of their escapades Ben the Labrador, never very bright, crossed a main road and ran into the side of a passing car. Luckily, he wasn't injured, but the panel beater's bill we received from the driver made him canine non grata for a while.

Escapee pets are vulnerable to theft, cars and attacks from other animals, and can make themselves very unpopular by investigating rubbish bins, hunting wildlife, pooing on lawns etc. A securely fenced yard, with room to run, is a must for dogs (the kind of enclosure shown in the video is clearly inappropriate), and for cats a purpose-built enclosure is a great way to ensure the safety of both your cat and local wildlife.

The lonely, bored pet is far more likely to escape - a companion, plenty of toys and environmental enrichment and of course, lots of attention can help. In many areas there are now 'doggy day care' facilities, as well as individuals who’ll walk your dog or visit your cat while you’re at work. A little planning should prevent your pet from adopting the nickname ‘Steve McQueen’.

Much Loved Moggies

Amongst the many varieties of cats available as household pets, there's no doubt which one reigns supreme in the popularity department - the moggie! And the much-loved mog is top of the pops for a very good reason. For this basic, no frills feline with its unsophisticated charm has been part of the very wallpaper of our lives for as far back as we can remember

Most of us grew up with a moggie, or at least shared our neighbourhood with one or more. They welcomed us home from school and played with us in the backyard - sometimes even suffering the indignity of being dressed up and wheeled around in a doll's pram! Many an Aussie photo album would bring back fond memories of family rituals which routinely included Puss in the proceedings.

Often we didn't purchase the family moggie - a kitten would be given to us by a neighbour or friend, or an adult cat would just wander into our yard one day and adopt us. Regardless of the lack of pomp and pageantry surrounding these cats, there was always something reassuring, not to mention downright comforting, about seeing them curled up contentedly in front of the fireplace or sunning themselves lazily on the windowsill or the front verandah. They reminded us of home - and life's simple pleasures.

Times have changed, but happily the knockabout Aussie mog is still very much a popular feature of our backyards and households. (It has been estimated that some 90% of Australia's 2.9 million pet cats are moggies). Although moggies do not conform to any standards –coming in a range of shapes and sizes plus a riot of attractive coat colours and patterns - there are certain common denominators. More often than not Aussie mogs are shorthairs (sometimes "fluffies", but seldom with much length of coat). Many are mackerel (striped) or blotched (blobs and swirls) tabbies, which tend to be medium sized and with a reasonably solid build.

Moggies are invariably extremely robust, hardy creatures. Their breeding, based for the most part on natural selection (unlike pampered purebreds there are few arranged "marriages" amongst mogs!) has left a legacy of hybrid vigour. Survival of the fittest has ensured a strong healthy lineage based on natural form and function.
This self-assured, no-fuss feline makes an undemanding pet. Easy to look after and easy to love, moggies fit well into our laid-back Aussie lifestyle - whether there just snoozing in the sun, playing with the kids, or joining the family for a backyard "barbie". Nothing if not adaptable, they are just as much at home in the city or country, making delightful companions for folk of all ages.

The nick-name of moggie is variously attributed to a British dialect variation of the word "Maggie" which originally meant a disheveled old woman, or the name given to a scruffy scarecrow. This tie-in may have had some relevance years back when moggies were more often than not unowned cats, but today's sleek specimens tend to be as well cared for as any of their pedigreed cousins. Nowadays moggie is just an affectionate term used to denote any nonpurebred domestic cat.

Owners may not be aware that they can in fact show their much-loved mogs. For further information about cat shows and exhibiting pet cats, people should contact their local cat club or feline controlling body.

One thing is for sure however, the moggie's lack of aristocratic ancestry will never stop it being "top cat" in the hearts and minds of millions of Australians.