Animal magic

Published on 08/08/2011 10:24

HIS silver screen character was famously proud, thinking nothing of cuffing his magical owner with a wing or doling out a quick nip with his sharp beck if he felt he wasn't being accorded enough respect.

And it seems in real life Hedwig the snowy owl - who played Harry Potter's familiar in the first of the hit movie series - is also just as picky. "He is a mummy's boy," explains owner Ruth Hickling. "He either likes people or he doesn't and if he doesn't like them, he won't sit on their arm."

So Muggle fans of the movie had best be ready to charm the 6lb bird of prey if they want to get close to him when he arrives in Edinburgh in three weeks' time for the Love Pets show. The animal extravaganza, being staged in Scotland for the first time, will see hundreds of creatures great and small, from giant rabbits and millipedes to Shetland ponies and ferrets brought together under one roof - the Royal Highland Centre's roof, at Ingliston, to be precise.

And while there is enough to keep the most ardent pet-lover entertained, from watching performances by Britain's Got Talent's Kate and dancing dog Gin, to choosing a name for a new baby meerkat, undoubtedly one of the top draws will be Hedwig and fellow Harry Potter star Eral, who are travelling down from their home in Aberdeenshire where they are spending their movie retirement visiting care homes, schools and adults and youngsters with special needs.

The pair appeared in 2001's Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, the first film adaptation of JK Rowling's books, with Eral, right, a great horned owl, appearing as the messenger delivering a letter to Harry (the owl called Errol belonging to the Weasleys was played by a different bird). And Hedwig was the first of six owls playing Harry's beloved companion, a present from Hagrid who is eventually killed at the Battle over Little Whinging, all of whom were male despite the owl character being female - young males being whiter and lighter than their female counterparts, and therefore easier for the then young Daniel Radcliffe to hold.

After the film, the pair toured schools with their then owner but when he fell ill they were put up for sale with 14 other birds of prey, including vultures. Ruth responded to a newspaper advert without any idea of the two birds' starry connections, as the previous owner's deal with Paramount meant he couldn't market the owls' celebrity. "It sounds awful but they were just a job lot," she explains. Now the stars of the Owl and Pussycat Centre will be joining - probably - an Australian boobok owl, an ashy faced barn owl, a tawny owl and an eagle owl at the show, where visitors will get the chance to have their photograph taken with them.

Also appearing on both days will be Kate Nicholas and her border collie Gin who reached the semi finals of Britain's Got Talent in 2008.

And among the other attractions at the show, which is being staged by Scotsman Publications and sponsored by Braid Vets, is a travelling rock pool from Scotland's national aquarium, Deep Sea World, complete with sea urchins, starfish and mussels, as well as bearded dragons, lizards and snakes large and small. For those who like their pets of the more traditional kind, there will be a petting area with the chance to meet the owners, dog grooming and training demonstrations and breeds including sleek greyhounds and hairy sheepdogs.

With almost half the Scottish population owning a pet, events and exhibition manager Sabrina Maguire says she believes the show, supported by the Kennel Club, will be a big hit.

"Pets are such a lovely addition to any family and this is very much a family show," she says.

The Love Pets show takes place at the Royal Highland Centre, Edinburgh, on September 3 and 4. For more information on ticket prices, including special offers, log on to www.lovepets.me.uk