Pet dog Ted is such good pals with family cat Stovie he helped look after her kittens
The unlikely friends are so close owner Tracey Goodall says they think they’re brother and sister.
The Daily Record reports that Ted, a seven-year-old cockapoo, and three-year-old black and white puss Stovie are so compatible they make it seem like canines and felines have always got on.
Owner Tracey Goodall, 54, captures the duo’s shenanigans on camera – melting the hearts of her friends and family. Tracey – a support worker who lives with her partner Kim, 54 – adopted Ted when he was just 18 months old.
His friendly, sociable personality meant he craved the company of a little pal, so two years ago Tracey brought home cat Stovie . She was worried they might not get on, but the pair quickly became firm friends.
Stovie has spent so much time with Ted that she’s actually starting to think and behave just “like a dog”. She can even sit on command when she wants treats, and can be seen showing off her stunts.
Tracey, from Oldmendrum, in Aberdeenshire, said: “Our friends and family love them to bits too and they’re always looking for more videos and pics of them! “Stovie and Ted are completely inseparable – they genuinely think they are brother and sister. “They are both just part of the family now.”
The energetic pair cause chaos in Tracey’s house, but she said it’s “hard to be angry at them” – especially when they cuddle up together on the sofa. The mum-of-one said: “Stovie and Ted are basically attached at the hip, doing everything together. “When Ted goes out with us for a walk, Stovie usually follows, but if it’s too far she will hide somewhere and jump out on him on the way back.”
Last year, Stovie broke three bones in her foot and had to be on cage-rest for six weeks. She could only leave her cage for a cuddle with Tracey once a day, and Ted was sure to never miss out.
Tracey said: “Ted really missed her as kept going over to the cage and Stovie would stick her good paw out the cage and touch his. “It was very sweet, but a bit sad at the same time to see them separated like that.”
When Stovie had a litter of kittens two years ago, Ted took it upon himself to become their secondary carer, sharing their bed and comforting the little balls of fur.
“Ted was so good with them that we called him dad! Whenever she left them, he was right in there with them,” Tracey said. “When they started to try and climb out of their box he would nudge them back in with his nose.”
Tracey added: “Ted is very protective of Stovie. “A friend’s dog tried to chase her and he intercepted, growling at the dog. But if me and Kim are playing with Stovie and she tries to bite us, he will put her back in her place. “They’re very cute together.”
(Story source: Daily Record)