Tamara Kempton, 23, Hobart shares her sweet pet story with Take 5:
The sound of soft purrs drifted up from the bath as I splashed the warm water over my pet rooster, Teapot.
He often sounded just like a cat when he was happy and it always made me chuckle.
“You love being pampered, don’t you?” I said, smiling.
Teapot squawked in excitement and shook the water from his feathers.
I’d adopted him a year earlier.
Me and Teapot.
(Image exclusive to Take 5)Living alone in a small apartment, I didn’t have the space for a dog or cat, but I desperately wanted a pet.
Looking online, I saw a local farmer had put his miniature cock up for adoption.
“If I can’t get rid of ‘im, he’ll be culled,” the bloke warned when I called to find out more.
I can’t let him die! I panicked.
I raced over and adopted the rooster immediately.
When I met the farmer, he clarified that he hadn’t intended to kill the poor thing, he only wanted to rehome him.
But it didn’t matter to me. The bird was mine now.
I’d seen the ‘Blessing of the Pets’ event advertised on posters around the church and thought it was a beautiful idea.
(Image exclusive to Take 5)He was so small he fit in the palm of my hand, so I named him Teapot.
I set up an area for him in my living room, complete with fake grass, logs, hay and a small dog house for him to sleep in.
We’ve been birds of a feather ever since.
Teapot loved his bi-monthly baths but this one was extra special.
I was about to take him to my local church to be blessed by a priest.
Teapot loved his bi-monthly baths but this one was extra special.
(Image exclusive to Take 5)I’d seen the ‘Blessing of the Pets’ event advertised on posters around the church and thought it was a beautiful idea.
Reverend Graham Sturdy had been running the occasion for four years to honour Saint Francis of Assisi, the animal advocate.
With Teapot clean and presentable, I carried him down the road to Scots Church.
Sitting in the pew, surrounded by 20 dogs and their owners, Teapot stuck out like a sore thumb.
But I’d never been more proud.
He sat in my hand so patiently.
He didn’t even crow!
After the sermon, I walked Teapot up to the altar, where the reverend sprinkled water on my feathered friend’s forehead.
Back home, we both had an extra spring in our step.
“Bit cocky now, are you?” I joked as he strutted around.
We enjoyed the special event so much, I took Teapot back the following year.
Now that he’s been blessed twice, he’s happier than ever.
He’s even become a local celebrity, with people stopping to nab selfies with him when I take him out and about in Hobart.
Without a feather of a doubt, I’m the cluckiest woman in town!
