Cats, dog and lizard relocate with family from Esperance to Kalgoorlie

When Esperance family of five the Desmonds moved up to Kalgoorlie-Boulder this year, they knew there was no chance their four pets would miss out on their new inland adventure.

Environmental scientist Rachelle, electrician Jamie, and kids Zander, 10, Alexa, eight, and Kahlise, six, are the proud owners of a dog, two cats and a lizard.

A Christmas present for Alexa, Harlem is the family’s resident lizard and lives in a glass enclosure temperature and light-controlled for optimal living conditions.

“It’s a western bearded dragon,” Alexa said.

“We get the crickets from the pet shop and he eats meal worms too.

“If they are small crickets we feed him about 20, if they are bigger crickets about five.”

While the enclosure is Harlem’s domain, the cats — five-year-old Rosie and three-year-old Tinker — have the run of the indoors and golden retriever-Border collie-cross Mia rules outside.

“If you pat her once then she’s like your best friend forever,” Zander said of Mia.

“I remember going to a place to get her when she was little.

“The cats absolutely hate Mia.

“Rosie’s less scared of her but Tinker would sometimes go up to the glass where Mia is and hiss.”

Growing up on a farm in Scaddan, 50km north of Esperance, Rachelle was surrounded by farm dogs such as border collies and kelpies, where they would run wild across acres of farmland.

“It’s much different having a dog in a townhouse,” she said.

“When they are on the farm you don’t have to do anything with them.

“It’s much harder — I didn’t realise that back then and we got one of the most energetic dogs you can get.”

Inside, the cats love lounging around in the computer room and hiding from the girls, who enjoy chasing them for squeezy cuddles.

“They’re not very nice to the cats, Zander is though, and that’s why they like him,” Rachelle said.

“I like snuggling up next to them and giving them pats,” Zander said.