As a child did you have any exotic (i.e. those not indigenous to your area) or unusual pets? If not, did you have any pets at all? What kind? Did you give them standard pet names or come up with unusual and unique names?

As I have previously mentioned I grew up on a wheat and sheep farm in Western Australia. During my years before I went to Boarding School I had lambs, calves, chickens, puppies, canaries, dogs and a donkey to name a few. I was not allowed to play with the sheep dogs as they were working dogs, but we had inside dogs as well.

Once I caught some baby rabbits and brought them home which upset my Grandfather, as rabbits were considered vermin at that time.

I had a joey as a pet for a while (baby kangaroo) which had been found in the pouch of a dead kangaroo. We placed an old wheat bag over the back of a chair and placed the joey in it near the wood fire.

Small calves became pets when we had to hand rear them. I remember them trying to suck my fingers. My photo of the day is one I took in New Zealand recently.