There鈥檚 dogs who cuddle with cats and even ducks who hatch chicks, but an even more bizarre animal friendship has been fostered at a Lower Mainland home.
Magnus, an Olde English bulldog, has a special bond with his feathered friend Gizmo 鈥� a five-month-old Emu.
鈥淭hey are best buds they have grown up since the emu was a chick,鈥� said owner Jenna McRae. 鈥淭he emu gets so excited when Magnus comes around. They basically beg to play with each other.
鈥淭hey will chase each other for hours and then sit together.鈥�
Gizmo is one of three emus at the Mission, B.C., farm 鈥� and are McRae鈥檚 favourite pets.
鈥淚 got them because I love birds so much they are so interesting,鈥� said McRae, an avid bow hunter, fisher and former model and body builder. 鈥淭hey have so much character and they are the most curious creatures.鈥�
Their playful nature and unique personalities have even helped McRae through a tough period of grief.
鈥淚 got the chicks when my brother died, they were the only thing that brightened my day,鈥� she said, adding that they continue to make her smile on difficult days.
鈥淭hey are really such a mood booster and funny they make me laugh every time I see them.鈥�
While some people think McRae is a little crazy for having pet emus, which she takes for walks with her dog, she wouldn鈥檛 have it any other way.
鈥淭hey are such a great addition to the farm,鈥� said McRae, who is expecting her own bundle of joy in a week.
She鈥檚 hoping she can divide her attention between her feathered, fur and human babies, as the emus don鈥檛 do great with kids.
But there are plans for more in the works - more baby emus anyway, which McRae鈥檚 boyfriend has grown to love despite his initial hesitation.
鈥淎t first when we got the adult emus Fred was like oh wow I gotta get these stupid birds to keep her happy,鈥� laughed McRae. 鈥淣ow he loves them so much. I told him we can only get two more next spring because he wanted six more.
鈥淭hey really add a lot of happiness and fun into our lives.鈥�
newstips@vernonmorningstar.com
Like us on and follow us on .
