Tuesday, September 10, 2013

John's Anniversary Present, With A Side Of Tiger-Mauling

John and I celebrated our fifteenth wedding anniversary at Dragon Con, which we kind of consider our anniversary gift to each other each year, but I also got him an extra special gift just before we left:

This is John, petting a bobcat so expertly that the big cat was purring loudly, forcing his big furry head into John's hand, and drooling all over his arm.

Now, I know what you're thinking. You're thinking, "I'd like to see some video of that."

BAM:

Surprisingly enough, the bobcat love-fest was actually the side note of this particular anniversary present. The main event was Summer here:


 Who doesn't like looking at the camera.

You have to understand: all his life John has dreamed of touching a tiger. We go to Animal Kingdom and just camp out at the tiger enclosure sometimes, and we visit zoos and aquariums everywhere we travel, since we're both big animal lovers. John's desktop image is always a new tiger photo, and every other day he sends me a video link to some big cat cubs being cute. We've researched Tiger Island in Australia, and if there's one thing that pains me more than any other about my anxiety, it's that it prevents me from flying there for John.

Then, the week before we left for Dragon Con, we got to do this:


And this is John, PETTING A TIGER:


The organization that let us do this, Single Vision, Inc, is an "endangered species educational facility." They visit schools and community events, raising awareness of endangered species and also caring for a fair number of rescues at their ultra-remote complex out near Gainesville, Florida. I've been to a ton of zoos and reserves in my time, but I can honestly say I've never seen happier cats and wildlife than at this place. They all had huge enclosures, separate play fields, and were unbelievably affectionate with their caretaker, Carl. It was truly amazing.

I took this through a chain link fence, if you can believe it. We couldn't go in any pens with the larger cats, obviously, but they'd come right up to us and chuff (their version of purring) directly in our faces, before rubbing their heads on the fence between us.

I managed to capture the chuff-to-the-face in this video, along with my delighted laughter:

TIGER BELLY RUBS. Omigosh, you guys. Oh...migosh.

Here's Mohan, a white tiger rescue, getting a good stretch in while sauntering over to say hello to John:

Several of the cats have heartbreaking histories, and Carl told us it took over a year before he could even touch Mohan after he was rescued, the cat was so scared. Now, Mohan comes right up to the fence to greet visitors, rubbing his cheeks just inches from our faces, as curious and comfortable as our own house cats.

Summer has two adopted siblings, Leo and Bhutan, but they're too big now to interact with the public. They looked a bit jealous watching her trot out into the main yard to see us, though, don't you think?



This wasn't just a quick photo op with Summer, either; John and I got to spend a solid 30 minutes with her - just us and her handler - although most of that was spent watching her harass the ground's two area house cats, dog, and turtle:


"Plaaaay with meeeee!"

 "Come back!"


 "Don't you do ANYTHING interesting??"

Eventually the house cats retreated, leaving Summer with her next playmate/victim: Me. [gulp]

TIGER ATTACK!!

This is me, being mauled by a tiger. 

(I should start a list of all the wild animals I've been attacked by. First a flamingo, now this!)

I'm on my knees in that pic, btw, looking down my thigh. Yep, before escaping, I stopped to take a picture. PRIORITIES, people. I escaped with barely a scratch, though, and even my purse went unscathed.

As amazing as all that was, I almost feel bad admitting what MY favorite interaction of the day was:

 LEMURS IN DA HOOOOUSE!

He looks a little cranky there, but I assure you, these creatures were the sweetest, gentlest, most dainty grape-grabbers EVER:



They were also the softest things I've ever felt nuzzled up on my cheek before: like a cross between chinchillas* and cotton candy.

(*I had some as pets once - no fur coats here!)

Now he's looking all miffed, but really they look up to chew, so the grapes don't fall out. I promise I didn't insult his heritage or anything. (Although I WAS tempted to start singing "I Like To Move It, Move It." King Julian would be proud.)


I took turns feeding grapes to the one on my shoulder and several others. I found they were so gentle that I could hold out a tiny grape the size of my pinky tip, and they'd just lick my fingers with their little tongues while taking it from me. SO CUTE.


Well, that about wraps up our epic Anniversary experience. For the next week after this John and I kept turning to each other during odd moments and saying, "Hey, do you realize we petted a tiger cub a few days ago??" I think we still haven't absorbed it all - and John keeps watching and re-watching those videos I took with a hazy, happy look.  [dusting hands] Yep. I think I did ok this time.

Hope you enjoyed our little trip to Wild Kingdom, guys, and stay tuned for my third and final Dragon Con photo post!

117 comments:

  1. I..am..SOOOOO jealous! A Tiger cub, a chuffing and a lemur!?!? John is one luck dude.

    ReplyDelete
  2. OMGOMGOMG!!!! This is so wonderful! Thank you for posting these fantastic pictures and videos! Wow, a whole half hour with a tiger baby!!! Gahhhh! :D

    ReplyDelete
  3. That is great! For your North Texas fans, there is a similar big cat rescue facility just north of Dallas in Wylie, TX. It's called In-sync. I'm not sure if they let you pet the babies, but you get to hear the great rescue stories there. I wish I had seen some while I was at Animal Kingdom last week, but they were sleeping!

    ReplyDelete
  4. oh my goodness, nature is so beautiful. Congratulations on 15 years, and all the best for many more.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I'm soooo jealous!! You look great with a lemur perched on your shoulder, btw.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They really are the best accessories, aren't they? ;)

      Delete
  6. This is soooo coooool! It's our 15 anniversary too in October. You've set the bar high for my husband now!

    ReplyDelete
  7. That's a happy bobcat! Looks like John gives good -- um, ear. ;-D

    ReplyDelete
  8. You guys are too flippin' cute! I love it. The tiger belly rubs made me go "AWWWWW" out loud.

    ReplyDelete
  9. my daughter now has a new bucket list item. She LOVES tigers. Happy anniversary to you and many great years to come.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Happy Anniversary! What a great gift. All cats are awesome (as are lemurs) and you knocked this gift out of the park! Way to go!

    ReplyDelete
  11. *Kermit flail* AAAAAAIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!

    Seriously, you guys are so awesome to each other! I bet that was one of the best days of your life together! It's awesome moments like those that make a relationship so special! And that is probably the most thoughtful gift, Jen! Pat yourself on the back for that one!

    Also, thanks for setting the trend for the 15 year anniversary: Big Cats. I'm sure that's way more exciting than crystal or a watch!!

    ReplyDelete
  12. What?! I must do this! Happy anniversary to you and John. :)

    ReplyDelete
  13. What a great gift! You guys are super adorable together. Congrats on 15 years!!

    ReplyDelete
  14. OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!! Tigers are my favorite animals EVER and....... I. AM. SO. INCREDIBLE. FREAKING. JEALOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I wanna go play with and pet big stripy tiger babies and get chuffed by big stripy not baby tigers!!!!!!!!! My head, it is EXPLODING with the happiest jealousy EVER!!!!!!!

    Happy Anniversary!!! And thank you for finding the honeymoon I will now DEMAND from the Taller Half!!!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Cool!

    Doing this for John, wow, great present.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Awww, there's so much cuteness in here, I can't take it! All the kitties!! I'm pretty sure I'd let them maul me, just to get a chance to smush their big kitty faces. My 20 lb orange cat suddenly looks so small...

    ReplyDelete
  17. Oh that tiger begging for belly rubs, ohmigoodness, I can't handle that. That's exactly how my cat acts!

    And seriously, Jen, BEST WIFE EVER AWARD. I know where I'm going next time I'm in Florida!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Happy Anniversary! This post just made me happy to read, thanks for the smile today!

    ReplyDelete
  19. I've got you beat on that list Jen...

    I've been bitten/attacked by let's see... Ostrich bit down on the whole of my middle finger. Had to wrestle free. Duck bit me pretty good, Deer have bitten me, Lorikeet drew blood when it bit, Orangutan attacked me because I wouldn't give it my stuff. Pounded on my 13 year old self's back and bit my back, Elephant.. well.. see.. the young bull was mad I was feeding an older female so he uh.. punched me in the face with his trunk when i wouldn't give him bananas. (yay for almost black eye)

    XD

    ReplyDelete
  20. I live in Gainesville and didn't know this place existed! Might have to take a little drive!

    And if you feel like coming up this way at the end of October, you drop by the Bat Fest:
    http://www.batconservancy.org/index.php/bat-festival

    ReplyDelete
  21. My husband bought me the Keeper for the Day program at Gatorland on OBT for our first wedding anniversary. I feel about alligators the way John feels about tigers. I got to get up close and feed the big ones with no walls or fences, and "wrestle" a gator, including tiring it out enough the keepers could untape its jaws. Also got to hold a bunch of baby gators, and several snakes and lizards and feed some giant tortoises. I know exactly the euphoria this sort of close encounter brings, and I'm glad y'all got to experience it together!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Tiger island in Australia is amazing, although you don't get as close and personal with the tigers as it looks like you got to! The baby tigers were still quite big when I went so we only got to pat them and take pictures with them. Still very very worth it!!!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Happy Anniversary! What a COOL present. I squee'd at several of the tiger pics/videos. Petting a tiger is on my "bucket list" for sure. They tend to frown upon it at our zoo ;) (I live by the zoo that Jungle Jack Hanna calls home.) Someday..... someday....

    ReplyDelete
  24. Geez, the only wild animal I've ever been attacked by was a chipmunk. I'm jealous.

    Also: Best anniversary gift ever.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Have you been to Big Cat Rescue in Tampa yet? I haven't, but it's on my list. No excuse, really, since I'm close by. Oh. I just figured out what I'm doing for my son for his 10th birthday. :D

    ReplyDelete
  26. Every time you post about how long you've been married I think, "Nuh uh..." because there's no way either of you look old enough to have been married that long. Unless you got married when you were like 8...

    ReplyDelete
  27. Amazing pictures! I lived in Ocala in 1986 and I can remember getting my picture made with a tiger cub at the Paddock Mall. One of the hi lights of my life.

    ReplyDelete
  28. This is fantastic! I'm actually really into big cat laws and such, and this seems to be one of the few "acceptable" tiger visiting places (technical term :P). Most let people touch them too young or force the tiger to hold still. So congrats on a great anniversary and on your awesome experience!

    ReplyDelete
  29. Happy Anniversary my favorite people in the world!

    ReplyDelete
  30. I would say to come out to California and visit Safari West in Napa, CA. But it turns out they only have cheetahs, not tigers.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Wow wow wow! How totally cool! What a great way to celebrate - happy 15!

    ReplyDelete
  32. You and John have been married almost as long as me and my John - we had our 15th anniversary in January. John took me to Tasmania, saying it would be nice to escape the Sydney heat for a bit. So of course while we were there Hobart had its HIGHEST EVER recorded temperature, 41.8 °C (107.2 °F), and we were staying in a little ancient hotel with no air conditioning! LOVE the tigers, you take wonderful photographs!

    ReplyDelete
  33. One of the main reasons I adore Epbot (and CW!)is the overwhelming beauty of your relationship - the obvious love just spills over into everything. Thank you so much for allowing us to share...and giving us ideas for our own celebrations...

    ReplyDelete
  34. That is so awesome! Thanks for sharing it with all of us!

    ReplyDelete
  35. Happy anniversary! Smiles-that-won't-quit over here! I'm thinkin' that John petting the bobcat was the best part. Wonderfulness with a side of awesome!

    ReplyDelete
  36. Happy Anniversary you two! Jen you are the BEST WIFE EVER! What a very thoughtful gift for John and what amazing memories you will both have. Well played, well played...

    ReplyDelete
  37. That's so amazing, I have tears here. Big cats mean everything to me.

    On my honeymoon, my husband literally stumbled across a rescue place while driving in the mountains. He managed the best wedding present ever for me. I had the most amazing experience there I will never forget...getting to hold, pet and bottle feed a few week old tiger whose mother had died. I tell him that's why we have made it almost 20 years married - he gets me.

    It's awesome that you and John get each other. So many people don't ever find that. :)

    ReplyDelete
  38. Krusty: "Why do they call them urine monkeys?"

    ReplyDelete
  39. Best. Present. Ever.
    I am seriously jealous - you guys are so lucky! (And really cute ^.^)
    Congrats on the anniversary too!
    ~erin kristine

    ReplyDelete
  40. What an awesome gift!

    I'm going to South Africa in February to visit my cousin and his family. They've been over there for about a year-and-a-half and they've been to several wildlife preserves and petted just about every kind of baby cat you can think of. They've promised lots of that for me when I come. I can't wait!!

    ReplyDelete
  41. Awwww sooooo sweet I'm misting up over here! Thanks for the videos, too! Although, as someone who is GOOD FRIENDS with King Julien, I would've liked a LEMUR VIDEO as well, but alas and forsooth. ;D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aw, I handed the camera off to John for that encounter, and I think we were both too enthralled to think of it! I agree, though; it would have been awesome to have video - they made these curious grunting noises which were beyond adorable.

      Delete
  42. So cool! What a great anniversary. I know what you mean about having continued freak-outs for a while after - I got to hold a lion cub briefly a few weeks ago and I still can't believe it happened. The friend I went with and I kept bursting into giggles over it at random intervals.

    ReplyDelete
  43. Psssssh. Only a noob would need clarification that Jen Yeates owned a chinchilla as a pet, not as a coat. ;)

    Super cool!

    ReplyDelete
  44. I have to be totally honest...I would be in tears petting this wonderful creatures. I've always wanted a pet cheetah since I was a little girl, but any big cat would suffice. Of course, I'll never own one, but getting to interact with one would be the time of my life.

    And you do realize you've hit the epitome of anniversary gifts, right? You can never top this, so it's kinda like dropping the mic and walking offstage...you totally nailed it.

    ReplyDelete
  45. Ohmigosh, Jen, OHMIGOSH!!
    1) That is freakin' amazing, and
    2) I teach first grade - one of the stories we read is about how a tiger cub grows up, and it talks about her chuffing sound! I am SOOOOOOO going to have to show that video to my kids! Squeeee!

    ReplyDelete
  46. I guess I thought you were quite a bit younger than what you are. I can't believe you could be old enough to be married that long. You have some good genes :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, now, DO GO ON. ;)

      My mother was mistaken for my sister many times during my teen years - so yes, yes I do. ;)

      Delete
  47. amazing... just amazing

    ReplyDelete
  48. Before you go to another aquarium you should really see the movie 'Blackfish' http://www.magpictures.com/blackfish/ It will open your eyes to what really goes on

    ReplyDelete
  49. Experience of a lifetime! Way awesome.

    ReplyDelete
  50. Have you been to the Big Cat Rescue near Tampa? http://bigcatrescue.org/ I've been watching them on youtube for a couple of years. We don't have anything like that near me. We have a couple of zoos but the most local one is in need of an update.

    ReplyDelete
  51. Congratulations to you and John. What a wonderful idea for an anniversary gift. I also love animals, both domestic and wild, and the big cats are among my favorites. I wish these magnificent predators could all be released from captivity, but I understand that these refuges take good care of them. And the lemur is adorable! Best wishes always.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm right there with you. The great thing about these shelters is that they often take in animals that might not otherwise survive in the wild. For instance, one of the big tigers had very poor eyesight. You can imagine she wouldn't last long in the wild. What was most surprising to me was the cost of keeping them. The white tiger is 700 pounds and it costs more than $1,000 a month just to feed him. I don't know how the owner manages. All that to say, I'm grateful this guy does what he does.

      Delete
  52. Love, love, LOVE! What a great memory for you both.
    And happy anniversary!

    ReplyDelete
  53. I really hope John said, "You're a tiger. You're a tiger" when you/he took the tiger's picture!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Omigosh, HOW DID I NOT DO THAT?? (You must have had your picture taken by John at some point; he does that to EVERYBODY. Ha! Other than the lemurs, though, I didn't let him have the camera all day.)

      Delete
  54. Happy anniversary! Looks like you both had an amazing celebration :)

    ReplyDelete
  55. I'm just......... I can't even........ I'm all, like........ that was FANAMAZINCREDAWEPENDOUS!! (I had to make up a word because clearly there wasn't already a word for how seriously great that was. You rocked that anniversary gift, sista!

    ReplyDelete
  56. I'm with Jillian; you two look so young to have been married so long! Cute tigers (you're an awesome wife) and here's to fifteen (times a million) more years.

    ReplyDelete
  57. WHHHHAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! **fangirl flails** I just....I just.....MUST GO HERE!!! So cute I can't stand it!

    ReplyDelete
  58. Oh, and I didn't intend to be anonymous in my first post. Sorry about that.

    ~ Cynthia

    ReplyDelete
  59. That sounds like a fantastically awesome experience! Congratulations on making it to 15! I must say that the photo of you (face on) with the lemur on your shoulder it gorgeous. You really must put more photos of yourself in your posts.

    (I feel obligated now to insist that I am not a stalker. *hee hee* Just a married-for-17-years, mother-of-four that thinks you should include yourself more. :) )

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aw, thank you! It's a struggle to include photos of myself, so I only do when the post seems to require it. I much prefer being the faceless recluse behind the keyboard. ;)

      Delete
  60. How fun!! Jen, I am so proud of you for posting so many good pics of yourself in non-cosplay garb. Way TO GO!! I remember the web-recluse of your early years. So, so proud of you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I still cringe every time I feel I have to include one, tbh, but for posts like this the blogger in me knows it's better WITH a personal pic or two. If I ever start posting daily selfies, though, then you'll know I've been body-snatched. ;)

      Delete
  61. Jen, that is the coolest experience ever! What a wonderful gift for your husband! And I am sooo envious! :-)

    ReplyDelete
  62. I've always wanted to do that, too! I love big cats. Every time I've ever gone to the circus, I cry when I see those beautiful creatures being made to do tricks. Every. Time. Happy 15th Anniversary guys!

    ReplyDelete
  63. Awesome. I had a best friend once who was terminally ill and he had this desire to hold a penguin before he died. When the puffin and penguin exhibit opened at the STL Zoo, I emailed the head of it and asked if I could bring him in to hold a penguin. It turned out their "PR" penguins (how adorable is THAT?)are the tall Magellanic kind, who are over half my height so not suited to holding. He let us come into the off-limits area, though, and interact with them. They were so friendly and sweet, and one of them fell in love with my sparkle toenail polish and kept pecking at it.

    ReplyDelete
  64. So... you're never coming to Australia? Awwww. We have steampunk festivals and everything!

    For my boyfriend's birthday a few years ago I took him to Australia Zoo to see their cheetah's, and it was fantastic. We got to sit right next to them, no fences, and stroke them (side note: cheetah's are the largest of the big cat varieties that purr). Best. day. ever.

    Handy hint: If you want to get up close with animals, make friends with a wildlife artist. I'm related to one and have seen (and interacted with) tigers, polar bears, dingoes, reptiles and owls. Wildlife artists (and conservationists) have connections :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hold up, there are polar bears in Australia???

      ~Jodee

      Delete
    2. Sea World had a huge exhibit (display? enclosure?) and as far as I know it's still there. One of the artists in our group knew someone who worked with them, so we were able to go behind the scenes and see their resting pens (which, btw, were incredibly spacious and clean). We have some awesome zoos here.

      Delete
  65. Happy Anniversary - there is no topping that now, I'm afraid you've peaked!
    So jealous - I petted a tiger cub on holiday in Spain as a child, but now as an adult I realise it was one of those street photographers who nab tourists for rip-off pictures with the cub as a prop to hook people in and it makes me feel kind of sick. The place you went to sounds amazing, doing really good work.

    BTW, my birthday is in December if you are wondering what to get me......

    ReplyDelete
  66. Love it. One of my favorite places was back in rural East Texas, called Tiger Creek Wildlife Refuge. Likewise, an excellent reserve, mostly dedicated to tigers, though they also had rescued lions, puma, and leopards. I have so much respect for the kind of work these people do!

    ReplyDelete
  67. happy anniversary, sounds like you had a great one... i'm hoping to get to the tiger temple in Thailand to pat a baby tiger on my honeymoon :) loved the photos and the videos... sooooo cute and you looked lovely as usual (not meant in a creepy stalker way :))

    ReplyDelete
  68. First of all, congratulations on your anniversary! Second, I am soooo jealous, haha. Tigers are my favorite animal ever and I've always longed to pet one. I think I know where I need to take a trip to soon.

    ReplyDelete
  69. Is it safe to say you guys were CHUFFED TO BITS by the experience?

    I'm sorry, I had to. What an amazing anniversary present, and congratulations! The hubby and I took our first (adult) trip to Disney World for our one year anniversary this summer, and the tiger enclosure at Animal Kingdom was awesommmmme! This wildlife refuge looks great, so glad these people are working hard to help animals in need and given them such a great life, complete with belly rubs!

    Thanks for all the great photos, and here's to many more anniversaries to come!

    ReplyDelete
  70. Happy Anniversary!! I am so jealous of you and John right now, it's not even funny. Totally wish I could have been the one cuddling with those guys. Will definitely have to go check this place out, and am kinda up set that I didn't know about Tiger Island back when I went to visit Sydney. Oh well, next time! The only very small correction that I have it that Summer was not playing with a turtle. She was playing with a Sulcata Tortoise. I have one, his name is Crush (yes, from Finding Nemo), he is 10 years old and completely amazing! I really wish I could have been there to play with all of these amazing animals. I'm sure it was the best anniversary ever!

    ReplyDelete
  71. OH happy anniversary!! You guys are so great! To know each other so well and to do this .. Baah im tearing up! It is so great seeing those vids n.n!! My cat Charlie came over on my desk when the big cat was being petted by john.. and she started pawing the screen lol! now i think she has channelled some sort of big cat attitudee and is terrorising all the office supplies on my desk. lol! Again Happy Anniversary Guys!!

    ReplyDelete
  72. AWESOME! I really like cats (as in the house variety) and I'm pretty sure the main reason is because they're the closest pet possible to tigers and cheetahs. Those pics of you guys petting Summer and the bobcat make me so jealous. I'm equally jealous of the lemur pics though. A gentle, soft, cuddly creature that can crawl around on your shoulder and eat grapes out of your hand? Yes please.

    ReplyDelete
  73. There is a place in Arizona called Out of Africe (google it) that has big cats like this. They also have a petty part where they have cubs. We used to be members when they were in the Phoenix area but then they lost their lease and had to move everything further north (and we moved back to Missouri). We have some wonderful memories of the big cats and especially the tigers!

    ReplyDelete
  74. I am so jealous! I hope someday I meet someone who makes me as happy as you and John make each other (and that they take me to pet big cats!).

    ReplyDelete
  75. First I want to say that I love you blog. But I have to let you know that most places that have tiger cubs and let the public play with wild animals are not great places for the animals. I'm not familiar with this particular place, but most places that have cubs do not keep them into adult hood, they dump them with private owners, and they do not live great lives. Alot of these places say that they give money to conservation and then pay themselves large salaries, and use the money to continue inbreading their anmals I won't get into too much detail here, but I volunteered with The Wildcat Sanctuary and I learned so much about the wild animal trade and what terrible lives most wild animals in captive lead. You can go to their website and learn more. Also Big Cat Rescue in Florida is another good place to get more info. I'm not trying to make you feel bad or guilty for going, because obviously this must have been a great experience for the both of you. Who wouldn't want to pet tiger cubs, I certainly would. I just want you to know that not every organization out there with animals is doing good things, and exhibiting cubs is almost always a sign that they are not a great place for the animals. I'm really sorry that my first comment on your blog has to be so negative, because I really do enjoy reading it. Take care and congratulations on your anniversary!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Of course there are bad places out there, Karen, but as you said, you're not familiar with this one. Everything I've read and experienced at Single Vision makes me comfortable recommending them, and from what I can tell they've kept every cub into adulthood - getting three new cubs like this is something of a rarity.

      Again, I know there are a lot of scammy, unethical places out there, so I understand your concern. And hey, if only everyone shared it, the world would be a much better place!

      Delete
    2. I'm glad to see The Wildcat Sanctuary mentioned somewhere I regularly read! My husband and I are big supports of TWS (we're in Minnesota), and we love the work they do. The stories of their wildcats is simply heartbreaking, and I'm glad to support an organization that will help them live out the rest of their lives as naturally as possible, given the circumstances.

      Delete
  76. OMG, you and John look SO happy - Happy belated anniversary! I would LOVE to visit this place; the next time we head to FL I'm going to call and try to schedule a visit. When my hubby was about 11, he did yard work for some neighbors. One day they had a Bengal tiger cub in their yard and he got to play with it. I didn't even know him then and I am STILL jealous!

    ReplyDelete
  77. I love the animal rescue / education places like this. Sounds like an AMAZING, unparalleled experience, though I'd love the shady aspect of the tiger trade to stop, especially the breeding of white tigers. I imagine the Big Cat Rescues will remain and continue these programs though, because humans will be humans. After all, we still have cat/dog rescue places in spite of humanity's long tradition with domestic cats and dogs.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh yes, we got a lecture from Carl about White Tiger breeding - bad! BAAAAD! :) And the rescues also enable injured animals - like the tiger with bad eyes there at Single Vision - to still live happy, healthy lives.

      Delete
  78. Oddly enough, I was shopping at Dillard's in Gainesville a few months ago and saw a young woman carrying a live lemur in her arms. Kinda strange.

    Happy Anniversary!!

    Norma

    ReplyDelete
  79. Happy anniversary! And after showing my daughter these pictures, she wants to take a trip to Florida. We had been talking about taking her to Disney for her Sweet Sixteen- maybe we'll have to make a stop here along the way.
    The squees! OMG so adorable!

    ReplyDelete
  80. Both your smiles says it all. :-} Did you still have the smells of the big cats & lemurs on you when you got home? How did Tonks & Lily react to the smells?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Summer had come from the kiddie pool and was sopping wet at first, so I couldn't detect any smell at all - on her OR the lemurs. John was paranoid when we got home, though, and demanded we immediately change clothes and wash up before Tonks & Lily could get near us - just in case. ;)

      Delete
  81. Congratulations! What an awesome experience!

    You and I started laughing at the same time when Carl, I presume, started trying to tell you about how tigers are endangered, but that big girl was all, "Yeah, endangered, blah, blah, blah. *I'm* right here. Rub ma' belleh!".

    You done good, girl!

    -Just Andrea

    ReplyDelete
  82. P.S. Did John(thoJ) wear that shirt on purpose or was it another happy accident? (Ok, perhaps 'happy' accident is not the right phrase for the doctor's office visit, but it did make for a funny story)

    -Just Andrea

    ReplyDelete
  83. My husband walked in while I was watching the tummy-skritching video, and melted as much as I did. What a fantastic anniversary gift! There's a chance we may move to Tampa sometime in the next year or two, and if we do, we are SO going to be making a visit to Single Vision (adding it to my list of really cool things to do in Florida)! And yes, you really do look young. So does my daughter; in her mid-30s, she still gets carded occasionally. :) You really should include more pics of yourself; you and John are a fabulous couple!

    ReplyDelete
  84. Happy anniversary! and, thank you for the photos and videos. Made my crummy day that much better.

    ReplyDelete
  85. You should have gone to the accredited Big Cat Rescue in Tampa instead, they never would have let a cub be exploited in this way and would have told you about the abuse felt by the cubs being kept away from the mother and kept awake to entertain. Ask yourself how many hours a day does a human baby sleep at 8 weeks old, then you can get a handle on the abuse you paid for. Accredited rescues don't breed animals and make them perform for photos and money.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Some new parents would say an 8 week old baby doesn't sleep nearly enough... ;)

      Delete
  86. You guys totally need to go to the Giraffe Ranch, just north of Tampa (Girafferanch.com) You can feed the lemurs there, ride a camel and feed the giraffes. It's really cool!

    ReplyDelete
  87. This reminds me of the time I got to play/pet with some baby white tiger cubs! THEY were SO SWEET. Not to mention a dream come true!

    ReplyDelete
  88. There is a big cat rescue near us (In Tulsa) that used to be open to the public (safariZoo.com)we got to pet a bobcat, Mike petted it so well it drooled on him & soaked my shoe. I got to give a wolf belly scritches, and for a fee you could buy frozen chicken legs to feed the animals. I got to feed a Lyger with a pair of tongs. Totally cool! it's a shame that most of the animals were abused & abandoned, but great that there are places like this to give them hope!

    ReplyDelete
  89. JEALOUS!! :D Jen, I'm so jazzed you were able to do that for John. :D

    ReplyDelete
  90. Happy anniversary to us all (ours was just Monday!)!!! You look like you were all having the most fun possible on earth - and how do I know that? 'Cuz every Monday (and any other day we want to) hubs & I volunteer at our local zoo....oh yeah, rubbing the face of an ocelot or the ears of a bobcat or even the belly of a badger is quite the experience. We also get to raise the babies by hand (bottle, if ya wanna get picky), so we have coatis, skunk, possums, ring-tail cats, emus, all sorts of primates & birds, and hopefully soon, some ocelots that think we're all mama. LOVE IT! It is absolutely the highlight of our week, to go down there and play with the animals. Of course, there's the requisite cleaning and scrubbing of exhibits, and even some snake play (I always try to stick with the OTHER reptiles), and occasionally arts & crafts with the kiddies, but lovin' up on the animals is definitely the reason for going! Nuthin as pure as love from a wild one! Glad y'all got that opportunity (and shared it with us!)!!!

    ReplyDelete
  91. OK, it's SO GREAT to see you so happy and relaxed! And, I have to confess I am feeling a little melty about how adorable the tigers are.

    ReplyDelete
  92. Since John love the big cats so much, I'm surprised you guys haven't visited your very own local(ish) big cat sanctuary, Big Cat Rescue in Tampa. They do not advocate the petting of big cats though, so no touchy feely with them. I was able to visit them last year, and loved it.

    ReplyDelete
  93. This might be the greatest thing I've ever read. So so cute!

    ReplyDelete
  94. This is so great!! And I know how you feel...I had a life long goal of swimming with dolphins, and after my daughter & I got to do just that at the AMAZING Discovery Cove, we spent the whole day pinching each other. "Hey Mom, we should go swim with dolphins! WAIT A MINUTE...WE JUST DID!"

    ReplyDelete
  95. Well done, Jen. Well done. Also, SO JEALOUS!!! That looks just so awesome. What great memories you have made. Someday, I'll go there and do that. Someday.

    ReplyDelete
  96. Wow! Looks like a blast! I had a chance to go to Dade City Wild Things about 4 years ago (9 months pregnant and on my due date... had hoped all the walking would give the little booger butt his eviction notice, but no go lol) and came across a pair of brother tigers that apparently wanted me to remember them because both of them attempted to mark me... that is, shoot urine about 10 feet out of their enclosure at me. The tour guides and the other patrons laughed for 10 minutes i swear! Apparently when you're about to pop out a baby people don't expect you to run that fast. hehe Anyway, So glad you and John got to experience something so amazing! There is very little in this world more humbling then being up close with something so alien and at the same time so undeniably natural.

    ReplyDelete

Please be respectful when commenting; dissenting opinions are great, but personal attacks or hateful remarks will be removed. Also, including a link? Then here's your html cheat sheet: <a href="LINK ADDRESS">YOUR TEXT</a>