Rosie rules the roost
Cobram resident Helen Findlay co-exists with a magnificent British Blue cat named Rosie, who rules from a self-imposed position as ‘Queen’ of the family home.
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She is, after all, not just your everyday moggy but a refined purebred feline, complete with attitude.
Rosie is a beautiful big girl, weighing 8-9kg with an amazing coat of soft, thick blue/grey, a chubby face and stunning yellow eyes.
Ten years ago, Helen and her dad Ray learned through Helen’s brother of a breeder who had a young kitten with a deformed leg that was unsuitable for sale.
The breeder offered the kitten to Helen but advised she would have to pay for her registration.
It was love at first sight and exactly what Helen wanted, a cat to love and her companion.
Like most cats, Rosie soon showed she possessed a typical feline attitude, and today, she ‘rules the roost’ in the family, making demands and virtually being given what she wants and when she wants it.
She looks for her dinner at 3pm or earlier if the family bends to her will (more often than not), eats special dry food, and particularly likes ‘people’s tuna’.
Occasionally, it is made into tuna patties for the family, which this gorgeous feline devours happily.
One could say unequivocally that she is living the dream in the Findlay household.
A pet can make a difference in a person’s life, and for Helen, who has to deal with considerable sight impairment every day, the presence of Rosie has undeniably been a wonderful benefit.
Helen has her ‘fur baby’ and showers her with love and attention, while Rosie is happily ensconced in a caring environment and dictates what happens where and when.
While Ray refuses to acknowledge that he even likes the cat, it appears he cannot suppress a smile when the adorable four-legged ‘queen’ cuddles up to him.
She likes him, so he must like her.
Isn’t that how life works?
Helen is vision impaired, possessing limited sight in one eye and is totally blind in the other.
As a little girl at Port Arlington Primary School, her teachers discovered she couldn’t read the blackboard and was prescribed glasses.
After several bouts of surgery, she was encouraged to switch to contact lenses.
Helen attended Geelong Special School after her primary years, which required her to travel on three different buses each day.
Yet you can’t keep a determined girl down, and she soon learnt to manage despite her disability.
Today, at 56, Helen copes very well, aided by her dad Ray and her carers and is a relatively happy person, attributed in part to her beloved Rosie, who brings her so much joy and laughter.
“She can be quite naughty at times, and when dad goes out, we play up like two silly girls,” said Helen, adding, “She is good company, and I love her. ”
Having a pet is definitely good medicine.
Don't miss Soroptomists’ Sunday brunch
Ladies, please put this event on your calendar now — Sunday, April 28.
Soroptomists International Cobram Barooga Inc. will host a Sunday brunch catered by Ambience Bakery. The food will tempt your tastebuds with delicious food, and the cost will be $35 per person, which includes a glass of bubbles or orange juice.
Cobram Barooga Soroptomists are recognised for their ability to find interesting guest speakers covering a wide range of topics, and this year’s speaker is certainly no exception.
Kaye Ervin recently returned from Kurdistan, where she assisted in establishing a Faculty of Nursing at the University of Kurdistan in northern Iraq.
Undoubtedly, Kaye will have some interesting stories about her time spent in this country, which has experienced turmoil over many decades.
All proceeds from the brunch, which commences at 10.30am on April 28 at the Barooga Sports Bowls Club, will go to Cobram and District Urgent Care Centre.
For further information contact Jenny Gaylard on 0427 320 388, Kaye Morgan on 0427 735 273 or book your ticket online at https at www.trybooking.com/CQEZW
Hope to see you there.
‘The best experience of my life’
Elsie Hooper completed her VCE in Cobram in 2022 and spent the following year working full-time in hospitality and saving her hard-earned wages to finance a long-held dream — of becoming a flight attendant.
Early this year Else was accepted into a course at William Angliss Institute where she is one of 45 aspiring young people, including those from neighbouring countries such as NZ, Singapore, Japan, Tonga and Samoa to undertake the course which ends in June.
“It is the best experience of my life,” she said.
“The environment, the teachers and my fellow students who range in age from 18 through to 38. It’s just amazing.
“We are provided with a uniform and each day must meet grooming standards. With full make-up, including red lipstick, small earrings, hair neatly in a bun and perfect nails, I’m ready for the day.
“It is hard to believe that approximately 95 per cent of the course comprises so much more than just serving a drink or meals.
“Air safety and sound knowledge of CPR and first aid are vital, yet what’s incredible is the overall knowledge we are gaining of the industry while learning on the job every day.”
Attending William Angliss Monday through Friday, Elsie leaves her accommodation in Maribyrnong at 6am and returns each afternoon between 4pm and 5pm from Melbourne’s CBD. She loves every minute.
During her 12th week of the course, she will apply to various airlines for a position and hopes to secure a job with Qantas and, ultimately, Qantas International.
It’s her goal.
Elsie is the daughter of proud parents Linda and Greg Hooper of Cobram.
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