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Birds are fearless cat’s kryptonite

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Incognito: White Tabby Sammy, 9, hiding in plain sight.

Sammy never backs down.

Whether it’s his golden retriever buddy, Leo, or, wait for it, a kangaroo, Sammy is game to take on any challenge.

Except birds. Oh, and definitely not ducks.

Fair enough.

Owner Melissa Walsh said Sammy had a rough start to life, having broken his hip and needing a major operation.

Making himself at home: Sammy just chilling.

The Walshes had no choice other than to put him through the operation, his friendliness and fondness for the family being infectious.

Since then he hasn’t looked back, and attacks Leo any chance he gets.

“Leo just wants to be best friends. He thinks he’s playing, but Sammy is really going for it,” Melissa said.

Andrew Walsh said they used to have a kangaroo come around at night, and that Sammy used to go up to it, not afraid of a challenge.

Mexican stand-off: Golden retriever Leo, 17 months, and Sammy squaring off.

However he’d often get spooked by birds and run back to safety.

“It’s the small things Sammy is afraid of, not the big things. He’s a strange cat for sure,” Andrew said.

You got a friend in me: Imogen Walsh, 10, holding Sammy. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

Sammy is also obsessed with running water, and loves to jump in the shower and drink the water, much to the confusion of the Walsh family.

Melissa and Andrew’s daughter Imogen Walsh said Sammy would often jump up on the sink while she was having a bath so Imogen would turn the tap on for the cat to drink.

Sammy also makes a mess when eating.

“Cats normally curl their tail backwards while eating, but Sammy does the opposite and flicks it everywhere,” Andrew said.

Despite these quirks, Sammy loves the Walsh family.

Imogen said he would curl up next to her bed and keep her company for hours.

“He’s doesn’t really like big crowds, but he loves us,” Melissa said.

Tug of paw: Leo fighting tooth and claw for the victory over Imogen. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

Now of course, we can’t forget Leo.

Leo loves to run around the backyard and play tug of war with Imogen.

He cheats though, and will bite as far up the rope as he can to gain an advantage.

Imogen said Leo loved to run around the backyard after it had been mowed, rolling in the cut grass until he was green.

Cooling off: Leo relaxing in his pool after a hard day’s work. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

He then cools off in his little pool.

Imogen said Leo tried to be too friendly with a bee one day, and was rewarded with a “droopy face”.

Sammy is not the only one with a fear, with Leo not a big fan of thunder.

Imogen describes the temperaments of the two pets perfectly: Leo is the goofy one, Sammy is the serious one.

And the Walshes love them both.