As a wee child I loved animals. I loved them so much that when Mini our cow died, I was 12 years old and told my parents we have to bury her under her favorite tree. My dad handed me a shovel and said “start digging kid.” Little did I know that near a tree there would be roots as I dug deeper. Two and a half days later I had a grave deep enough for Mini. After I finished covering the grave I went home and just about dropped on the floor from my aches and pains. That night while trying to sleep I heard my dad say to my mom. “She should never have a pet or be close to animals as they will break her heart.” Dad was right, animals to this day break my heart when they pass away. I love them to death. Right now I have a Sea Gull that I feed as he knocks on my patio door if I forget what time it is. The only thing is this has been going on for over 30 years and I have a feeling he or she tells the new hatched seagull this is where you go for your home cooked meals. I named him Johnny and he knows his name. After losing one of my pets I decided to go to Africa. I realized how important these animals were to our world. I managed to save one Zebra hide I bought and said no one will ever walk on him again. I have it hanging on a huge wall to be admired not to walk on. Many that come to my home ask why I don’t use it as a rug. my answer “How would you like to be walked on!” All my beautiful pets around the world will never walk alone as long as WWF is there for them.
Africa brought me closer to seeing all the wild life and the herds of animals just trying to survive. They have the hunters, the weather, the drought and go to find water. Then I think of our bears and how much ice is gone. The whales that I enjoyed watching swim along our boat on our way to Alaska several times. Animals deserve a chance to live on this planet as much as people. Remember every minute is a gift just like our planet.
