Lets go to the Zoo by Skeeter
This past weekend was so beautiful that we had to get outside and enjoy it. What better way to enjoy a day then with animals. We are lucky enough to live within an hour of a wonderful zoo in the Capital of Columbia, South Carolina called the Riverbanks Zoo. The setting is along a riverbank and is a wonderful example of what a zoo should be. They also have an adjoining botanical garden for the flying critters.
A lot of animal loving people do not like zoos due to the cages and fences but this zoo is one of the modern zoos where you see few cages and fences. The habitats are so realistic and the animals all appear to be happy. I say happy because a mating animal in my book is a happy animal. And believe me; we saw a lot of mating animals this past weekend!
I normally don’t post a picture with the Saints face but this time I made an exception. Besides, he will never know as he rarely looks at the Postings, what he doesn’t know will not hurt, right? Mums the word y’all… He hates having his picture taken. When he does allow the camera to snap, he is not smiling to let you know how much he hates the camera in his face. Well, look at this picture of him with his new bird friends sporting a Big Smile! He loves interacting with animals so much that he actually smiled at me and the camera! Our love for animals is probably our strongest bond.
The bird exhibit is one of our favorites in this zoo as you can enter the area and give them a sip of sweet juice from a hand held cup. We were the first ones into the exhibit that day so the birds were flocking to him for their sip. The bird on his head was combing the Saints hair with its beak. I had to ask the little birdie to not pull out any hair as the Saint needs to keep all he has these days. The bird on his shoulder left him a gift to remember him by, yes, it pooped on his shirt!
We have been to some not so great zoos like the horrible zoo in Berlin Germany. I do not like the cage type zoos of the old days and the Berlin Zoo really needs some updating. The Atlanta Zoo is another one that I am not so crazy about. We have only been to it once but will make one more trip so we can meet the new baby Panda bear before it must be sent to China. I believe the panda exhibit was installed for the Olympic Games so it is a nice animal and people friendly updated exhibit and with the pandas reproducing, that is a must! I just wish they would find the funds to update the rest of the zoo!
Our all time favorite Zoo is in Rotterdam, Holland. We took it as a challenge to find wires, cages and fences as they did not seem to exist! I will never forget that wonderful experience and I am so grateful I had a camcorder with me that day because I have some of the best filming of happy animals in a Zoo!
Zoos are a wonderful place to educated children about animals and their importance on this earth. I strongly believe we do need Zoo’s for this purpose but wish they would outlaw all the cage type facilities around the world. There is nothing more sad then watching an unhappy animal pacing back and forth in a cage! We have not been to the Zoo in Nashville since they moved it a while back. We hope to check it out soon!
How do y’all feel about Zoos? Any of you have a favorite we need to add to our list of must see Zoo’s???
posted by Skeeter at 9/22/2007 08:58:00 AM
Pet People
42 Comments:
Love the photo of The Saint and the birds Skeeter! That is so cool how they flocked to him like that. It's a good photo of the Saint too by the way. If I photographed that well these daays I wouldn't complain about you guys taking my photo either but till I look better I will groan and moan about it.
Fly Boy has always said he soeadn't like Zoo's because of the cageds and confinement but I feel like at least the animals are safe and being fed so they lead a good life. Now I don't like the smaller cages either where the animals have to pace back and forth just to move around but the areas where they ahve room to roam around and it feels more like thier natural habitat then that is ok. And they are good for teaching children about animals. Personally I enjoy most Zoos except for the reptire houses and I stay away from them.
The Boss would have my head on a platter if I posted a picture of him, especially with a bird on his head. LOL. But as you said, what they don't know won't hurt them! It's a great picture!
I have no problem with zoos as long as they are the MODERN ones you speak of that recreate as much as humanly possible their natural habitat. That's not always the case.
I have problems with things like the annual rodeo they have here. Not with horse riding or barrel racing, but the roping and tying of calves for no reason other than entertainment.
I do not like circuses either, because it's horrible to pile animals into trucks and ride them around all over the country. It's horrible to make lions, tigers or elephants do tricks. I will never ever go to a circus or support an organzation that holds one.
Some European circuses focus on HUMAN entertainment or use only animals that are domesticated, like dogs doing tricks. That's fine.
Bullfights are disgusting as are the Running of the Bulls. To use "tradition" as an excuse digusts me as well.
Yay for me!
I found a home for Mr kitty. He is happy and doing well and his new owner is glad to have him. But....now I think I have a new problem. I took in a kitty for a "friend" that wanted a cat and agreed to keep him for a week until she could take him. Now my friend can't take the cat, the people who I got him from won't take him back, so I am again trying to find a home for a kitty. Geez...I try to do something good and get bit in the butt. Sandy or anyone else-is there a way or place I can post pics of this guy and try to find him a home too? He is a sweetie, a tabby boy with pretty dark markings, declawed I know but not sure about fixed-will have to investigate that. He is an inside kitty, litter box trained and about 2 years old I think. His owners had never had a cat before and just didn't want him anymore-not cat people. They thought by giving him to me they were getting a good home for him and I thought so too. My friend is not my friend right now. But that is another story. Any ideas ya'll? Hubby will be home in a week and I need to act fast!! Of course I will look after this baby until I can find a GOOD home but I need to be very pro-active.
Skeeter- love the pics. i agree about the modern zoos. We haven't been to a zoo in years either because I don't like seeing the animals in cages. BTW-Your bro's team beat us this weekend! They were #1 and we were #2. Oh well, if you gotta lose you might as well lose to your friends!
Oh the things we do to appease the Wenches.
That is a really good picture of the Saint. I can see as to why he is referred to as the SAINT. It takes a Saint to put up with fanatic pet people. Myself, I am on the opposite end of the spectrum. I am called Dragon for a reason, but this is about the one who endures with a smile, The Saint. I have met the Saint a couple of times and he is a cool guy. The last time we met we were having an interesting conversation. Or should I say trying to talk over the yelps and barks.
Wifey poo and I have gone to a couple of zoos before. I must confess, I’m really not sure which zoos they were. See, I have taken many little girly girls to zoos before, and it’s hard to keep straight which ones were with Wifey poo and which ones were actually fun. I do remember one though, which was the Nashville zoo, back before it was actually in Nashville. It was out in Joelton and it was pretty cool. It was one of the zoos that are open, with lots of room and not many cages. I haven’t been since they moved it into town, so I’m not sure what it is like now.
I also think I took Wifey poo to a zoo in Texas, which would be safe to say since it is right next door to Wifey poo’s home state, so I’m pretty sure it was her. I remember the area with the big cats. There was actually a caged in sidewalk that meandered through their territory. So, the cats were free, but the people were caged up. I felt like I was in a Twilight Zone episode.
Oh, Pam, by the way, you were impressed how the birds just flocked to the Saint. Ummm, he is holding a cup of bird food! Of course they are going to flock to him. It’s not like he is the bird whisperer or something. And Skeeter, of course I would never say anything to the Saint about his picture on the blog. I’m sure it would never come up in conversation while we are all sitting at the same Pet People table at the big Halloween Bash. You know I have a terrible memory. But, for a small fee, I can promise you that my memory will be completely blank that night. And there will be no color 8 x 10 photos on the tables either.
Oh by the way, talking about the Halloween Bash, I did help Wifey poo get into her costume. Don’t tell her I told you, but I did have to use a shoe horn to get it over her, ummm, voluptuous hips.
O'Mally,
Just Say NO.
Sandy, I am so with you on the Rodeo thing! I hate that they do the calf roping! Those poor little things are thrown to the ground and they don't know why they are being treated like that, poor babies! It's just mean. I can't understand why anyone would find it fun to watch that. And the same with the Circus and Bull fighting. How can people find that fun? It's just mean!
O'Malley, God bless your heart for all you have been doing to help thse kitties.You are doing a good thing! I can't understnad how people can get a animal then decide it was just a bad idea. Who pays for that? Certainly not the people but the animals sure do, it makes me so angry! Good luck O'malley on finding the other kitty a good home too. I'm sure you will so hang in there. till you do.
Dragon, for a fee you will will have a blank mind? How bout for a few drinks? I think we can manage that ok.
Hmmmm....... I've always thought of Dragon as having a blank mind all the time, without trying to. Poor little dear just can't help it.
Reading Dragon's post, Me thinks he once escaped from a zoo.
Oh, Shannon, email me about the new kitty.
Dragon, Dear Dragon boy... I will fess up to the Saint about his picture before I am Black Mailed by you! After all, he is a Saint so he will forgive me… I was going to come to the Halloween bash as a Wench for my beloved Dragon but figured that Guinevere would show me up in her duds. I am sure with red rose and all. I have decided to be your second best thing in the world. I am going to be a CAT! I have been taking lessons from King Feline Evil Devil Demon Cat! So look out! I will be on my best cat behavior according to the Cat Etiquette hand book which involves all the fun cat traits… Keep your side kick Poncho and the Catapult at home Okay….
Now about the Saint not being the Bird Whisperer… The last time we went to the same zoo, a giant tortoise came running to the Saint when he called it over. A family nearby had been attempting to get the tortoise to come to them for some time. When the Saint called it, it came running! The man was so impressed that he did indeed call the Saint a Turtle Whisperer! It was funny and the Saint was so proud and has told that story to many people. On this trip the Saint could not wait to get to the Tortoise exhibit so he could impress someone else with his abilities. Well, the Giant tortoise was busy Humping another giant Tortoise and the thing was the least bit impressed with the Saint. He had better things to do!!!
Shannon O’Malley, how do you get yourself into these things? I ask with a jokingly voice because I too get myself into such predicaments at times. I will tell y’all some day about the stray cats in our tree-house. Wow that was a humid sticky summer for me… Okay I am a bit confused on the ball game. I don’t think bro number two is coaching until next spring (High School) but these players will probably be his team in the future… Anyway, sorry for your loss… I will have to write you an email on bro number one and his experience from last week… tee hee….
Pam, I recently went to a Rodeo and was upset at the calf roping also. I dont like that at all. I was rubbing noses and talking to the little guys before the show.
I have not been to a circus in probably 15 years! I am just not comfortable at the circus where the animals are concerned.
I, as well, am not confortable at rodeos, althought the cow dogs were SO amazing! I spent the whole time watching the dogs round up the cattle! I think Aimee had some kind of herding trait in her. Maybe she wanted to herd the squirrels and not eat them.
Skeeter,
Sorry-should have mentioned that this is the travel ball. Your bro coaches my daughters middle school team but he also coaches a travel ball team that plays in the same age division as my daughters travelball team. My daughters travelball team has many players from the middle school team so its mucho fun when we play your bro. Confusing...??? yes!
I don't know how I get into so many messes Skeeter but the treehouse sounds like an interesting story...so please share
O'Malley, I did put two and two together after I emailed you and figured out it was the same bro coaching two teams. I just did not know that travel ball was going strong again... My mom also called to let me know as she saw this on the Blog and wanted to set me straight before you did... LOL. She will not write on the Blog for free but will spend money and call me. Go figure! Do you have more money then you know what to do with mommy dear? ha ha... Yeah, I know, bite you....I will do a posting on the Stray Cats and me in the tree house. A long enough story for a blog posting on Sandy’s day off…
O’Malley, sorry for my bluntness for my JUST SAY NO comment. I also have a friend that constantly takes advantage of my kind-heartedness. So, I know it isn’t that easy. Just the other day, I ended up paying for the drinks and the entertainment. Again. I haven’t been over there in a while, and he’s still suckering me in, so it will probably be awhile before I go back over there again. I hope you find a home for the poor precious little kitty. I started to say if worse comes to worse, he could always come and stay with me. But, I realized that you would probably never let that happen. I have, after all, been working on bigger and better CAT-a-pults. But, oh the stories he could tell the other kitties afterwards, all about his big adventure.
Oh, dear sister Pam, I think you should try to dilute my memory with a few drinks. I won’t tell you that my memory only improves with alcohol. Believe me, I have told on myself quite a few times with the flashes of remembrances that I have. But, it is always worth a try.
Sandy, Sandy, Sandy…… you know they don’t keep Dragons in the zoo! No bars or cages could contain me in my fierceness. I cannot be tamed. I am the master of my domain.
Skeeter, my lady, black mail is such an ugly, harsh word! I would never, well…almost never, stoop to such a level of contemptuousness. I am always willing to work out an accommodation with one of my wenches. Are you sure you don’t want to be one of my wenches? A reputable Dragon must have more than one single wench. I need a HAREM to fulfill my needs. The King Feline Evil Demon Devil Cat likes to go for rides in the CAT-a-pult. If you come as a cat, you can join him. He says it is almost as much fun as being tied to the ceiling fan.
Speaking of the Halloween Bash, they are having a pet photo contest as part of their fundraising. I am going to enter a picture of one of my precious pets in the contest. Voting will not commence until October 4th, but rest assured, at that time, I will be eagerly groveling for your support. Sh**head so wants to be Mr. Wags to Witches. Wifey poo tells me that I cannot use his real name for the contest, as the Humane Society would probably not allow it on their web site. So, we will have to use his alias—the dreaded “Punkin”. What an appropriate name for a Halloween photo contest. Maybe I should go all out and call him “The Great Punkin”. Maybe Linus will vote for him.
WOW! Somebody is full of them selves tonight!!
Oh my dear Adrienne, if only you knew.........
Sigh*******
Oh sweet Dragon boy, I have “fessed” up my sins and told the Saint I posted his picture. He said he would work on forgiving me. He is such a Saint..... I bet he will think twice about letting me snap another picture of him though… And if you think you have a catapult large enough to shoot this big butt cat into the skies above, then, bring it on! I love amusement rides at parks so this may be fun…. Will I have to pay admission???
Dragon, you say you are the Master of your Domain…. Well, I recall a funny Seinfeld episode about how he was “Master of his Domain”. Ah, if memory serves right, Kramer came running in the room and hollered, “I’m Out!” and laid his money on the table. Anyone else remember that show??? I don’t think I would be bragging about being Master of your Domain… tee hee….
Do let us know when the Great Punkin has a picture to show!
Skeeter, yes, yes I do remember that and it was a good one,ha.
I was thinking of going to the Fur Ball as a cat too but Dragon don't think I want to ride the ca-a-pult thingy. Fly Boy said I'll go but I'm NOT dressing up as anything! Hey at least he's bringing me and the check book so can't complain.
Pam, go as a cat!
I think Alice said something about being a cat too.
We can be a table full of Puss! LOL
Oh, Skeeter, I am not EVEN going there...... LOL
And on that note...
I was just checking to see who was still peeking in here.... tee hee...
B, are you going dressed as Crotch Corn???
What the Hell ? ? ? ! ! ! ! = = =
Crotch Corn?
Do I want to KNOW ? ?
Does it need to be surgically removed ?
I think I might be mentally scarred for life ! ♠
If you had not left the last Pet People get together so early, you would know all about crotch corn... LOL
The Great Punkin has been entered in the Halloween Bash Wags to Witches Photo thing. ☻ When voting starts I am not above begging for votes.
Adrienne, I am always full of it!
Skeeter, What’s this “Sweet Dragon” garbage? I do have a reputation to uphold. And why did you fess up? That took all the fun out of it.
Catapult,let’s see. I built one and told Guinevere I built her a self propelled swing, and to have a seat to see how well it works. Three days later she found her way home and told her “I was sorry about that. It needs some adjustment” I worked on it and convinced her it was better and to have a seat and lets see how it works. Six days later she found her way home again and I told her “I was sorry about that, but the adjustment is going in the right direction”.
I don't know what to dress as! I must come up with a costume! I must get Daisy to help me, she's great at Halloween stuff since her daughter was born on that day. Always great costumes! I don't know where she's been lately, but I must tell her the Dragon is missing her and moving on to other wenches!
Sandy, The Foreman and I went as Sherk and Fiona one year. It was great we won the costume contest. I have some great pictures. You all should dress in a theme, like Looney Toons. It wouldn't be that far of a stretch. HA!! Sandy could go as Elmyra from Tiny Toons. She was bossy. HA HA!!
I was able to get back into my Renessaince dress, so I will be my modified wench-y self. By Ren Fair standards, it's not a wench dress, but for me (with the cleavage), it is!! LOL
Crotch corn has been illiminated from the diet and the planet Skeeter--or at least until the next game night
B, LOL... Did you get my email about what I dreamed you and the Klutz were going dressed as?? You did not reply so don’t know if you received it or not... Let me know so I will write you more. I was thinking maybe you are not getting mail from me. We all seem to be having some strange things going on with our computers these days... I send it to your home and no longer at your work place so the computer police don’t get you…
Dragon, I am not taking your fun away… I am just putting you in your place. You will not get much over on this Wench!
I think it would be great for us to all go as Wenches but I am sure Guinevere and Stacey would top us all with there thin bods and REAL dresses! I don’t think they make a Wench dress large enough for my butt! Now my boobs would have fun playing peek-a-boo though!
Yeh, I like the idea of going as partners but the Saint will not partake in the fun. He is sosososoo boring at times! arggg.. He did once as I was a Nun and he the Pope and he told me then to take lots of pictures because this would be the one and only time. I do think we could be (okay ARE) some great Looney Toons!
I have been getting mail Skeeter, I just haven't had time to answer it. Suddenly there just aren't enough hours in the day anymore--and Jeremy is back in school, si i rarelt get to use the computer as all his classes are on-line. But I will get back in the groove once our fence is finished, the halloween party is over, work calms down, and maybe after I have a couple of strokes. Never fear-I 'm still here.
Okay, just wondering....
Hang in there and look for the light!!!
Yes, Adrienne, I must go as someone bossy. Lucy from Peanuts? Judge Judy (my real mother)?
It would be great if we pet people could dress in a similar theme!
Skeeter, “Guinevere with their thin bods”?
Ha, haa haaaa haaa haha ha ha, haa haaaa haaa haha ha ha, haa haaaa haaa haha ha ha, haa haaaa haaa haha ha ha, haa haaaa haaa haha ha ha, haa haaaa haaa haha ha ha, haa haaaa haaa haha ha ha, haa haaaa haaa haha ha. Kablonk( the sound you just heard was me hitting the floor). I need oxygen.
Sandy, try dressing up for Halloween in a manner that would be different or out of character than the person that you are. Try Doris Day, Mary Poppins, or, a polite Southern Belle. I know it would be a great challenge to do so, but that’s most of the fun. Don’t go as your self, we already know what that’s like. If you pull it off I will nominate you for an academy award.
OOOH! We have a Logo, How about a theme song? "We're tiny we're tooney, we're all a little looney and in this cartooney we're invading your TV" HAHAHAHAHA!!!! That fits us to a T.
Sandy as Doris Day or a Southern Belle???? PLEASEEEEEEEEE.... Guinevere is much smaller then me so to me she is thin... Oh Dragon, step back and take a good look at your maiden....
I do like the Looney Toon idea and wish it had come up earlier. But I already paid for my cat ears, tail and accompanying special cat shirt... I will be a cat… Can yall guess what kind of cat??? Pam, I think I told you so don’t go spoiling my surprise cat outfit….
But, Skeeter, that is the beauty of the wench type dress. The bodice is tight for proper showing off of the cleavage, but the bottom is very flowing (to cover up the big hips and/or butts). Perfect for me, cause I got some hips!!!!
Now, the adventure is in getting the tight bodice down over the "cleavage". It must go down, as it cannot possibly go over the hips. I have to have Dragon's help to get into the dress. In fact, when I tried it on at the store, he had to come into the fitting room with me to assist in rearranging body parts so that the dress would go down over the "cleavage". It is quite entertaining for the dogs, I'm sure. He literally has to reach down the front of the dress and pull my "cleavage" up and the dress down. What a visual each of you are having right now!! And, I'll bet it's even better live than your imagination!!
So Dragon gets to cop a feel every time you put that dress on! I bet he would like for you to wear it more often then you do... LOL...I would have loved to be in the dressing room next to you and the Dragon when you were trying it on! I bet it was as funny as my mom hearing me and my sister in law trying on Wonder Bras for the first time after a few margaritas! Now that was funny. “OH, where have yall been all my life”? I think that is what I said very loudly for all in the store to hear...
How many of us are going to be at the Annual Crotch Corn festival anyway?
Skeeter, I’ll fill in some of the details of trying on the dress in the shop. Guinevere went back in the dressing room to put the dress on. After a few minutes I heard her in there having issues. Guinevere called me to come help her. I tried my best to ignore her, but after hearing things get knocked over, I knew she needed my help. I went back there and she told me that it is going to have to go on over the top. I held it up and Guinevere went in though the bottom end of the dress. It went on to a certain point and then it just stopped, right before her boobies went into their little pockets in the dress.
She told me to reach down the dress and grab her boobies, and pull them up, one at a time. I said, “WHAT????”. She said, “you heard me, grab them and pull them up.” So, I did. And of course I couldn’t help but laugh and it was a small dressing room, and we were bumping the wall and making noise and I was giggling. Well, needless to say, one of the girly girls that worked in the store came to see what all the commotion was about.
She started asking “Hey! Who’s back there, what are ya’ll doing??” I told her that wifey poo was stuck and I had to help her get the dress on. She tried to tell me that I couldn’t be back there in the dressing room with wifey poo. So, I told her again—“Look, the dress is stuck! It is almost on, but I have to help her get it down”. She continues to protest that I can’t be in the dressing room. Again, I told her—“My wife is trying on a dress and it got stuck and I have to help her. I don’t think you want to be back here grabbing my wife’s boobies and putting them in the pockets.”
So, the girly girl continued to protest, but we ignored her and wifey poo finally got the dress on. Then, comes the reverse part. It was hard to get it on, now we had to get it off!! So, I grabbed it, ripped it over her head, and gave it to her. I left the dressing room, grumbling the whole time at the girly girl sales person that was hassling us.
The moral of the story is this: Any damsel in distress that needs assistance getting into (or out of) any clothing or costumes, please call the Dragon. I have experience in this area and will be most efficient. Men need not apply.
Little pockets??? You are too much!
Since this is probably the last thing I will read before I hit the bed, I will probably dream about this but hey, it was funny to read and the way my dreams go, the dream will probably be funnier!!! It has been a long day and I needed the laugh, Thanks Dragon Boy….
**Make note to self, never try on Damsel dress when Dragon is around...
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