Becci at home

By Bridget Cook
PAKENHAM teenager Becci Bourke is passionate about animals of all shapes and sizes.
From a very young age Becci has had a love for animals and her collection of furry friends on her Pakenham property is evidence of that.
At just 13, Becci owns and looks after 15 lambs, a cat, budgie, dog, goat, miniature pony and four guinea pigs.
Her mother Mavis Bourke said it was obvious Becci had a passion for animals from a young age as she was so happy whenever she was with them.
“Wherever the animals were, that’s where Becci was,” Mrs Bourke said.
Over the past few years, Becci said she had particularly become involved with her lambs and sheep.
She looks after the 15 lambs on her property and also has 13 sheep at another property.
“I vaccinate them, drench them and trim their hooves,” Becci said.
At school, Becci has become involved in the sheep show team.
“We have to prepare them and present them clean when we take them to the shows,” Becci said.
She has had some success at a number of shows including her most recent win in a junior judging section.
Despite have so many lambs and sheep, Becci never fails to give each of them a name.
“We have one group with names including Charity, Faith, Harmony, Hope and Trust,” Becci said.
“And another with names like Lolly, Molly, Polly and Dolly.”
Although she has a strong bond with all her animals, Becci said her Maltese shih-tzu cross jack russell named Scruffy holds a special place in her heart.
Becci has had Scruffy since she was in Prep.
“She lost an eye from a tumor,” Becci said.
“We took her to the vet because she had a cloudy eye and she had to get it removed.
Becci said her involvement with animals is something she hopes to continue for the rest of her life.
“I hope to keep going with it,” she said.
“I would also like to rescue injured animals … a wombat or kangaroo would be fun, I think.”
She said a career in agriculture might even be on the cards for the future.