AR-News: (Scotland) Shop bunny Bobby gets all the credit

[Snugglezzz at aol.com]

SHOP BUNNY BOBBY GETS ALL THE CREDIT 

 CRAIG WALKER

16:00 - 12 May 2004 
  
 A friendly rabbit is wowing customers of a North-east pet shop - by helping them with their shopping. 

After shop owner Myra Stewart swipes a credit card she hands it to Bobby The Bunny to "check".

The rabbit takes it in his mouth and, after making sure all the details are correct, he tosses it back to the customer.

Mrs Stewart, who runs Pets Paradise in Ellon, said: "He really is a very intelligent rabbit.

"One day I just told him to make sure the card was okay and he took it straight out of my hand.

"Ever since then he's always done it.

"And the customers love it. They all think Bobby's great.

"But I have to hand back the receipt myself. He likes the paper a bit too much and would end up eating it."

Mrs Stewart took on the six-year-old rabbit after he was abandoned by his owners and left on the streets of Ellon to die.

Only six months old, he was found wandering around by police, who took him in before passing him on to the local pet shop.

Ever since he has taken pride of place on the counter of Mrs Stewart's pet shop, with a local joiner even building a house for him to stay in.

As well as his credit card antics, Bobby has raised thousands of pounds for local charities since moving into the shop.

Whenever a customer comes in he rattles a collecting tin lid for cash.

And if he thinks they haven't donated enough money, he throws it back at them.

So far, Bobby has raised more than £5,000.

And his playful personality has made him a popular figure around Ellon.

Mrs Stewart added: "He is something of a tourist attraction.

"People come into the shop just to see how Bobby's doing."

He's even got his own fan base with letters being sent from as far away as Orkney and Leicester.

"People hear about him from relatives living locally.

"Whenever they visit the town they always say they had to come and see the famous rabbit," added Mrs Stewart.

"He loves the attention. Bobby is such a friendly rabbit and is always happy to entertain."