Moe seemed keen for an interview, but a shocking lack of bird language knowledge in The Border Mail’s reporter stymied that.
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So the sun conure contented himself with perching on PETstock Wodonga dog trainer and groomer Lyn Tymczuk and just throwing in a pithy aside every now and then.
Moe, along with green-cheeked conure Stanley and Henry Arthur the border collie/kelpie cross were happy to lend their celebrity status to a cause they understand well.
The valued store team members hope customers support their fellow furred and feathered friends by buying the 2018 Pet Rescue calendar on sale at Wodonga and Albury PETstock and online.
All proceeds go towards rescuing and rehoming animals who otherwise would face an uncertain future.
Mrs Tymczuk said people always looked forward to the annual calendar, which featured photographs of animals including Richie the greyhound, Pillow the pig and a paddle of ducks known as The Drakes.
Maybe next year Moe, Stanley and Henry Arthur’s agent could put their names forward, given the response they get from Border customers.
“They’re part of the family, people come in to see them, they know them,” Mrs Tymczuk said.
Moe and Stanley arrived at the store about a year ago, with Moe and Henry Arthur particularly hitting it off.
“The bird hangs out with them all,” Mrs Tymczuk said.
“He rides around on Henry’s back, and gets Henry to bring him down to say hello to me. He likes hanging out with me and the dogs.
“Whenever it gets too much for him in the store, he’ll come down to the grooming room for some time out and R and R.”
The PETstock team also includes Hotdog the cat (“He’s Mr Grumpy Cat, every family has to have one”) and young George, a puppy brought in to ease the public affection load on Henry Arthur.
“It’s too much for one dog, he can only handle so many pats a day,” the dog trainer said.
Last year calendar sales nationwide raised more than $110,000 for Pet Rescue, with the project overseen by PETstock Assist, the chain’s charity arm.
“It gives the company funds to be able to, at a store level, go help your community,” Mrs Tymczuk said.