Debra Wilhelms has an eclectic mix of pets and each one has a story and a personality like no other.
Ruby
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Ruby is a 13-year-old Maine coon cat who was originally adopted to be a show cat, but her temperament got in the way.
Like most cats, she thinks she runs the house, but her soft side comes out in times of need.
“She doesn’t like cuddles much and she is the boss,” Ms Wilhelms said.
“However, she is such a comfort to me, she seems to know when I need extra attention.”
Although she won’t admit it, Ruby became especially attached after Ms Wilhems dared to go on a five-week holiday without her.
“I had to go to Gippsland and help my son, and his family about for five weeks,” Ms Wilhems said.
“I’ve been back for two months now but she still won’t let me forget.
“If I’m on the couch, she’s on the couch.”
Pat
Pat is an albino Darwin carpet python, a breed that grows to about 2m, but her chilling looks are deceiving.
For a long time, Ms Wilhelms has admired snakes, seeing them for their elegance and majesty.
Snakes have a reputation for aggression, however, Ms Wilhelms described Pat’s temperament as cool, calm and collected.
“She’s pretty chill, lazy even,” Ms Wilhelm said.
“She just does what she wants to.
“She’s not a snake that comes out and wanders around the house, we have had snakes like that before, but Pat likes to keep to herself.”
The love between owner and snake feels less personal than other pets one may have, Ms Wilhelms said.
“The connection sort of feels like a roommate,” she said.
“You may love them but they don’t really give it back.”
Despite this disconnect, Ms Wilhelms and her partner Barry Marshall adore Pat.
Stew
Stew is a lop-eared rabbit, whose charming looks could melt even the toughest heart.
Ms Wilhelms’ granddaughter bred some rabbits and she decided to get the chunkiest of the group, Mr Stew.
Even though Stew may look cuddly, he is a firm believer in staying grounded, literally.
“He is very fast and not particularly fond of being picked up,” Ms Wilhelms said.
He may not like a snuggle, but he loves a good feed.
“Stew is a mean eating machine, you won’t find a rabbit that eats as fast as our Stew,” Ms Wilhelms said.
“He can chew down an entire parsley stalk in not even two seconds.”
Teddy
Teddy is a three-month-old border jackapoo, who brings new energy to the team.
Teddy has been a part of the crew for four weeks now and has fit in paw-fectly, playing outside with Stew and making friends with all.
“He’s our newest and you know, crazy,” Ms Wilhelms said.
“It’s nice for Barry to have a buddy, but I wasn’t sure how it was going to go because he was actually a surprise.”
So far, Teddy has learnt to sit, to shake and to chew through anything.
“He chews through leads, toys, shoes, anything he can get his teeth on,” Ms Wilhelms said with a chuckle.
Ms Wilhelms has a household of love and fun and each of them shows love back, in their own special way.
Cadet Journalist