Politicians and their pets: Lisa-Marie Hughes

Pet's name?

Charlie

Breed?

Rough Collie Cross

Age?  

Two years

How long have you had him? 

Just over a year – we adopted him on January 5th last year.

Where did you get him? 

Scottish SPCA. He is our second dog adopted from them, and I wouldn’t go anywhere else. They have such good values and do such crucial work.

What do you love about him?

Charlie is very silly, extremely bouncy, and as he has got to know us more, quite snuggly. 

What special talents does he have? 

In terms of tricks, Charlie does a reasonably good roll over, but his real talent is making everyone who sees him fall in love with him.

What are his most annoying habits? 

If he’s being particularly pesky, he likes to chew things like glasses, inhalers, headphones and milk bottle tops. He is also a stealer of socks.

What’s the worst thing he’s done? 

The week after we adopted him, he dug up about half of our lawn, barking gleefully while he did it. He also ate a ball of tin foil while he was halfway through a week’s course of medication for a stomach issue. It was quite a stressful time!

Do you think of yourself as a pet parent or pet owner?

I’d like to say I’m a pet owner, but it’s fairly evident that he owns us!

What’s the most ridiculous thing you have bought or done for your pet?

For Charlie’s predecessor Oscar, I removed vertical blinds and had a set of roman blinds fitted because he was a wee old dog and liked to sit on the windowsill. 

What’s your first pet or animal-related memory? 

My nana and papa had a wee dog named Queenie when I was little, and I have a vivid memory of being about three and sitting on the back step with Queenie by my side. I’m told I occasionally gave her a bit of my tea, so she quite liked me!

What was the first pet you ever had?  

A dog called Bruce, who I loved.

What would be your dream pet? 
I’ve already had my dream pet really; Oscar was just the best wee dog, and Charlie is a very good boy. I would like to have a Jack Russell at some point, but given Charlie is only two, it’ll be a while yet!

If you could be any animal what would you be? 

I’d be a squirrel or a hedgehog. The idea of hibernating is very appealing!