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m’khala wouldn’t be complete without the ever-present ‘helpers’.
Ripley
… She Who Likes to Help by Walking on the Keyboard or Lying Over the Top of the Mouse-Manipulating Hand.
Ripley was gifted to Charles by her mum (a street cat in Indooroopilly, Qld) who obviously decided that he was an OK guy and could look after a kitten.
A run-in with a car in her adolescence left Ripley with a missing ball joint in one hip and no tail – but that's proved no obstacle to climbing tall fences and trees, exploring the highest parts of her home, and hunting killer insects.
She was named after Ellen Ripley due to her fearless hunting of large alien-like moths and spiders while still a hand-sized kitten.
Ripley kindly lets the dogs (who occasionally lick her clean) and the humans (who feed her) sleep and eat in her house.
Zhia
Zhia, also known to her canine friends as Zhia the Lounging, Wonderous, Barking Hound of Germanic Origin, arrived at Ripley’s house as a small bear-like pup but soon grew into a tall smiling German Shepherd of significant size.
Like most large dogs, she thinks humans are just other dogs and treats them accordingly.
She’s also acutely aware of anyone around her (however stealthy they think they might be) and will do her best to insinuate herself into any conversation or gathering that involves eating.
When she’s not shedding hair, bouncing around the backyard or sleeping, she enjoys being the centre of attention.
Paris
Paris was adopted (along with her name) from the RSPCA when she was 6 months old – although no-one can figure out why someone would ever abandon such a cute, adorable Labrador.
Like most medium-sized dogs, Paris thinks she is a human and thus generally behaves like one – this includes: sleeping late whenever possible, snoring, burping after eating, lapping up beer, hogging the bed, eating pizza and being driven everywhere.
Taking after her big sister Zhia, Paris also loves being the centre of attention – or at least showing off while standing/sitting extremely close to whatever looks or smells like it might be the centre of attention.
She also likes socks – preferably used ones that have been left lying around in Charles’ shoes.