Politicians and their pets: Tess White and her dogs Pip and Kura

Pet’s name: Pip and Kura

Breed: Flat Coated Retrievers

Age: Pip is nine; Kura is seven and a half

How long have you had them? 

Since they were 8-week-old puppies

Where did you get them?           

Kelso - they share the same beautiful mum, Opal.

What can they do?

 Kura is the smart one – she can open doors and track a scent. Both love swimming which is great because we live by the sea.

What do you love about them?               

Everything – they are the friendliest dogs. The Peter Pan breed. They love being with us and we them. Our parents with dementia live with us and their faces light up when they are woken up by Kura or visited by them during the day just to see what they are doing. They are curious and always excited to see us and love cuddles.

What special talents do they have?        

Kura is an excellent retriever – she loves playing ball and will bring it back every time. While both are excellent swimmers, Kura loves jumping into the water at full pelt while Pip walks sedately into the water, has a wee swim the starts fishing.

What’s their best trick?               

Finding food – even when it has been hidden! They are real foodies.

What are their most annoying habits?

Waking up when the sun rises – so the morning alarm gets earlier and earlier from spring to summer– here in the Northeast the sun rises very early.

What’s the worst thing they’ve done?  

Kura is very food orientated so often helps herself – she has had pears from fruit bowl, carrots, defrosting cooked chicken, my lunch. Pip is not the instigator but will sweep in and help devour anything pilfered.

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

Parent for sure, although when they sense danger they go into protect mode even when it is Harry our visiting Pheasant looking in.

What’s the most ridiculous thing you have bought or done for your pet?                            

What seemed like the most ridiculous turned out to be essential – a dog stair to aid them get in and out of the boot of the car. Kura had back surgery a few years ago, so we have to be very careful with her – we now use a ramp instead.

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

A rescued Guinea Pig called Stripey.

What would be your dream pet?            

Pip and Kura are my absolute dream pets. They are members of our family.

If you could be any animal what would you be?

I would be Pip. She is so happy and unlike her sister has not had any operations and is in great health. She is calm, measured, intelligent and a wonderful big sister to Kura.