Politicians and their pets: Sue Webber MSP and Alfie

Conservative MSP Sue Webber introduces Holyrood to Alfie the Hungarian Vizsla...

Pet’s name? 

Alfie

Breed? 

Hungarian Vizsla

Age?

Four months

How long have you had him?

Two months

Where did you get him?

Family in Hawick

What do you love about him? 

He has such a sociable nature, gets on so well with other dogs and humans. He is so easy to love. And his cheeky swagger makes me smile as he scoots about

What special talents does he have?

Alfie is rather bouncy and extremely loyal giving me a super welcome when I get home each night. He loves long walks (well as long as you can with a puppy) and I'm sure when he grows into his legs and paws we will be bounding over the Pentlands and round the reservoirs

What’s his best trick? 

He is very good at recall, even at his young age. And we now have him sitting, staying and almost giving us his paw!  Over last couple of weeks there has been tonnes of progress

What are his most annoying habits?

He howls and barks when left on his own. We don't hear it of course as we're away, I'm not quite sure what the neighbours hear.  Sorry neighbours.  They don't call them Velcro Vizslas for nothing

What’s the worst thing he’s ever done? 

At this stage.... nothing that horrendous. But I won't tempt fate

Do you think of yourself as a pet parent or pet owner?

I am a pet parent, my friends and family cannot believe the change in me!

What’s your first pet or animal-related memory?

I can remember pushing our cat Tootsie around the garden in my wee pram

What was the first pet you ever had? 

We had a cat called Tootsie when I was wee. He lived for 17 years and loved ice cream from the ice cream van in the summer

What would be your dream pet? 

Alfie is an amazing pet... and will be my dream pet once we can leave him long enough to go out for dinner and drinks without the fear of him howling the house down

If you could be any animal what would you be?

Snow leopard - do not know when I was last able to run fast and change direction as they can, but it would have been useful for hockey, which playing for 30 years is the cause of my current levels of immobility…