Star attraction: Goh showing off her pet rooster Jiji at the fun walk at Queens Waterfront in Penang. — LIM BENG TATT/The Star
GEORGE TOWN: Standing out in a sea of dogs was Jiji the rooster, perched on his owner’s arm as he enjoyed a pet-friendly fun walk.
Joining the 2km-long walk, the white Japanese Bantam was the centre of attention as people marvelled at how interactive and brave he was.
Jiji’s owner Goh Mei Hoe, 33, said she bought the rooster three years ago during the pandemic.
“He is not my first rooster, so I knew what I was in for when I got him. We take him out to pet-friendly places, so he is comfortable being out in public.
“It is easy as there are pet diapers made especially for roosters that I buy online, so we do not have to worry when taking him out,” she said when met during the Paw Paw Walk held along Queens Waterfront Q2 in Bayan Lepas on Sunday.
Goh, a pharmacist, said she is always on the lookout for pet-friendly events and cafes to take Jiji, who has a white-feathered body with a red comb.
“We came all the way from Kedah to join the fun walk.
“We do not put him on a leash and he is free to mingle about as he usually comes to us when called.
“Jiji is also not afraid of dogs and likes to make friends. He eats normal chickenfeed,” said Goh, adding that her family adores Jiji and their lives revolve around him.
Nurse Nurfatin Zafirah Zulkarnain, 30, who was one of the few to bring a cat to the event, said it was the first time she and three-year-old Cinta had joined a pet-friendly walk.
“I saw it being advertised online and I knew we had to join. I brought Cinta in her cat backpack but was hoping to let her out and walk her on a leash.
“She was afraid as she has never seen so many dogs, so she stayed in the bag,” said Nurfatin.
Fascinated by the number of different dog breeds, Nurfatin said she enjoyed the experience and would definitely take part in more walks.
“It has been fun for me as I now have seen so many different types of dogs. It is a good experience and a healthy way to start my morning,” she said.
Christine Tan, 24, who brought three of her five dogs, said she takes them out quite often.
“I run a pet-friendly cafe, so this is normal for me. I had to bring a dog stroller along as two of my pups are six months old and do not want to walk.
“They are Maltipoos (a mix of a Maltese and poodle),” she said.
The event organised by Occupy Beach Street (TLM Event) saw around 1,000 participants turn up with their pets, mostly dogs, clad in various costumes including a Dachshund in a hotdog costume, a mongrel wearing sunglasses and others in lots of fun accessories.
