Animals come in all shapes and sizes. Some are giant and growly, others are small and squeaky, and some – like me – are cute, fluffy and born for the big time. So when I was talent-spotted at our village pet show, it wasn’t long before my brilliant backflips had bagged me the starring role on Saturday night TV programme Superpets , and Great Britain went Bunny Barmy.
Of course, I can’t take all the credit. If the Wilson family hadn’t picked me out from all the other rabbits in Noah’s Ark Pet Shop and taken me home, who knows what I’d be doing right now? Nibbling hay in some boring back garden probably, daydreaming about dandelion leaves. And if my eight-year-old owner, Susie, hadn’t been smart enough to enter me into that pet show, I wouldn’t be wowing the world with my sensational stunts.
The rest of the family have done their bit, too. Mrs Wilson organises my Superpets schedule, Susie’s little sister, Lily, is a big fan and Mr Wilson makes sure I get to the studio on time. He’s even helped me out of a few sticky situations – but it hasn’t made him any less grumpy with me. That’s why I still call him Evil Edward, or EE for short. In fact, if you didn’t know any better, you might even say he didn’t like me. I can’t think why – I mean, what’s a quick finger-chomp between family?
Anyway, being Britain’s Best Loved Bunny isn’t all fun, fans and fur-raising stunts – most of the time, it’s hard work. That’s why Superpets presenter, Gloria Goodwood, is always coming up with new ideas – to keep all the cast on our toes and make sure we keep the top spot on Saturday night TV. So when she heard about a new international competition for sporty animals, she couldn’t wait to tell us about it.
“It’s called the Animalympics and will be held in London next month,” she explained as we finished filming the last show before our summer break. “Animals from across the globe will be competing to win medals for their country in lots of different events, just like the real Olympics. At the end of the games, the country with the most medals will become the Animalympics world champion!”
“Can anyone enter?” EE asked.
Gloria shook her head. “Only specially chosen, athletic animals can join in. I’m very excited to tell you that the Animalympic committee has invited the stars of Superpets to take part!”
I pictured myself going for gold and taking my place on the winner’s podium. Beside me, Tornado Taz let out a miaow of excitement and I guessed he was dreaming of the same thing. He might look like the cat next-door but, underneath that tabby fur, Taz is a lean, mean, racing machine. When he joined the show, we’d both taken part in an obstacle race on Superpets , and he’d been really fast. I had no doubt he would leave everyone else standing in the Animalympics one hundred metre race.
“Obviously, Taz is our number one racer but your pets could clean up in the diving tournament, Trevor,” Gloria was telling the owner of the tumbling terrapins. “Lulu the chimpanzee can put away her hula-hoop and try gymnastics instead. And I hope some of you will join in with the opening ceremony celebrations?”
Sam looked at his troupe of break-dancing hedgehogs and nodded.
I waited, wondering which event I could enter. I couldn’t think of many sports that would involve my backflipping stunts and Taz had the races all sewn up.
Then Gloria flashed a beaming smile my way. “Of course, we hope Harriet will be entering the triple jump.”
My ears pricked up. The triple jump?
“What’s that?” Susie asked, looking confused. “Is it like the high jump but you have to do it three times?”
“Not exactly,” Gloria said. “There’s a long run-up, followed by a hop, a skip and a long jump. With her speed and jumping ability, Harriet will be brilliant.”
I had to agree – the triple jump sounded like the perfect event for me. Hopping was what bunnies did best and I
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