1.
GV. The Walker Residence.
2.5 ft

2.
MS. Lawn, dogs chasing ball.
3.5 ft

3.
MS. Mr. Walker with dogs.
3 ft

4.
HIGH ANGLE MS. Dogs.
3 ft

5.
SHOT. Drake running, 'possum jumps on its back.
3 ft

6.
HIGH ANGLE MS. Drake with 'possum on back.
2.5 ft

7.
RV.MS. Drake away, 'possum still on back.
2.5 ft

8.
SV.MS. Drake stops.
2.5 ft

9.
SHOT. Dogs watch from behind fence.
2 ft

10.
MS. Drake running, 'possum climbs up again.
4.5 ft

11.
CU. Mr. Walker looks on.
1 ft

12.
MS. 'Possum chasing drake, climbs up again.
3 ft

13.
CU. 'Possum on drake's back.
1 ft

14.
MS. Mr. Walker.
1.5 ft

15.
MS. 'Possum on drake's back, eating leaves.
3.5 ft

16.
CU. Above.
4.5 ft

17.
MS. Above.
5 ft



Initials AH/WS/CW



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: Caring for animals is not just a job for Mr. R. Walker, an R.S.P.C.A. Inspector of Wollongabba, Brisbane, Australia -- he makes sit his hobby too. Sometimes his patients are dogs, weak from lack of food or injured by a vehicle, but any animal is welcome in his home.

Latest arrivals at the "Animal Hospital" are Percy, a possum, and Donald, a drake.

Young possums have a natural instinct for climbing on their mother's back, and Percy can often be seen taking his lunch while sitting on the drake. Percy, a frisky young animal, was abandoned by his mother and has readily accepted Donald as a foster parent.

Mr. Walker says that the pair are the most unusual companions he has seen in the animal world. Like all "families", the animals have their quarrels, but the drake has good reason to be grateful to the possum. Their friendship was all that saved Donald from ending up on the Christmas table.