My Dream Came True! No Really!!!

OUT OF AFRICA WILDLIFE PARK

My dream actually came true. Out of Africa Wildlife Park in Camp Verde, Arizona gave me the Junior Vet treatment! I was able to come out to their wildlife park and explore their amazing park. They had a really cool safari where animals came right up to the car and we were able to hand feed the wild animals. I got to feed a cute giraffe named Pilgrim, she put her whole head in the bus and ate carrots out of my hand!

TIGERS IN THE POOL....YEP I SAID IT.

They had really cool shows like Tiger Splash where huge tigers play in a giant pool with giant pool toys and the keepers there, and the keepers were really funny too. The tigers reminded me of my golden retriever Enzo ...he really likes the water too. I got to be really close to lots of my favorite animals like Black Bears, Grisly Bears, Hyenas, Tigers, Lions, Snakes, Parrots, Lemurs, Giraffes, Ostriches, Tortoises and a whole bunch more!

I WAS THIS CLOSE TO ALL OF THE ANIMALS

One of the best parts of my adventures is I got the chance to interview some of their zoo keepers and ask them questions about the animals they work with in the park. Robin and Natalie were really nice and gave me a lot of information about how I can work with animals when I grow up, how I can help with animals now and they taught me a lot about the animals there at the park and how they take care of them.

THE FUNNEST PLACE TO GO

If you are thinking about a zoo trip you MUST check out Out of Africa Wildlife Park - It was the best! I've never been to a place where I could be closer to wild animals it was the greatest day of my life....seriously! You can visit their website at www.outofafricapark.com

Faith Learned To Walk With Only 2 Legs!!

This is Faith

I got an email from my grandma about this cool dog named Faith and I thought I'd share the story of this awesome dog with all of you. This dog was born on Christmas Eve in the year 2002. He was born with 3 legs - 2 healthy hind legs and 1 abnormal front leg which had to be amputated. He of course could not walk when he was born. Even his mother did not want him. His first owner also did not think that he could survive and he was thinking of 'putting him to sleep'. But then, his present owner, Jude Stringfellow, met him and wanted to take care of him. She became determined to teach and train this little dog to walk by himself. She named him 'Faith'. 

This is Jude, She adopted faith.

In the beginning, she put Faith on a surfboard to let him feel the movement. Later she used peanut butter on a spoon as a lure and reward for him for standing up and jumping around. Even the other dog at home encouraged him to walk. Amazingly, only after 6 months, like a miracle, Faith learned to balance on his hind legs and to jump to move forward. After further training in the snow, he could now walk like a human being. 

Walking Like A Pro!

Faith loves to walk around now. No matter where he goes, he attracts people to him. He is fast becoming famous on the international scene and Has appeared on various newspapers and TV shows. There is now a book entitled 'With a Little Faith' being published about him. He was even considered to appear in one of Harry Potter movies. 

Looks Like Faith Has Fans

 His present owner Jude Stringfellew has given up her teaching post and plans to take him around the world to preach that even without a perfect body, one can have a perfect soul'. 

 SWIMMING WITH POLAR BEARS? 
YOU GOTTA BE KIDDIN ME

NOPE! It's totally true!! If you are planning a vacation to Canada make sure to stop in Cochrane, Ontario!  You will find a pretty amazing animal experience there called the Polar Bear Habitat.The best part about it.... you can swim with the polar bears! No, seriously! There's a wading pool beside the polar bear pool and while you are in it you are separated from the great white giants by a protective divider (to make it actually safe). Both children and adults can try it.

The Polar Bear Habitat is an award-winning rescue center for non releasable bears. The bears offer you the opportunity to observe and share their lives. A self-guided tour through our five-acre, natural conservation facility allows you to see them in a safe and natural way, as they learn, play, and interact. 

The Polar Bear Swim is only available in the summer so plan your vacations wisely.  Enjoy things like: "meet the bears" sessions, interpretive programs, and an "up close and personal" wading pool will educate, entertain, and enthrall you, as these majestic animals reveal their unique personalities.  

To plan YOUR vacation...check out their website: http://www.polarbearhabitat.ca/

Anjana The Chimp And Her Baby Tigers Buddies

This cute chimp isn't just a primate - she is this baby tiger's Best friend. Anjana (The Chimp) cradles the white tiger cub after acting as sord of like a mother to him and his twin brother. The two-year-old chimpanzee clearly isn't monkeying around, she has also raised LEOPARDS and LIONS.

Anjana has been helping zoo keeper - named:China York look after 23-day-old cubs Mitra and Shiva at TIGERS (The Institute of Greatly Endangered and Rare Species) in South Carolina, US.



The chimp took on the mama role after the youngsters were separated from their mother. She turned aggressive after being spooked when hurricane Hannah ripped through the institute. Anjana has been a constant companion to infant animal caregiver China - and the chimp loves aping her work.

TIGERS founder Dr Antle said: "Anjana has joined China in caring for baby animals. Monkey see, monkey do and Anjana has helped China raise them. "She has acted as a mother to leopards, lions and orangutans and has done the same with these baby white tigers. "She gives them a bottle and lies with them - she is a great assistant."

TIGERS has bred many rare and talented animals. This year they unveiled their latest "liger" cub - bred from a lion father and a tiger mother. The institute has 45 big cats, including white-and-red-striped golden tabby tigers - one of the rarest big cat breeds. There are also bears, other primates and an African elephant.

The highly-trained caregivers at the institute have trained animals to appear in more than 500 movies, including Hollywood blockbusters Dr Dolittle and Forrest Gump.

Dr Antle added: "The animals are given thousands of hours of training and constant care. "People think it is dangerous to get so close to wild animals but the handlers have been with them since they were cubs and have developed a special friendship based on love and respect."

That might be the case but Anjana should be careful around her feline friends. White tigers can grow to nearly 660lbs and when they do.

How To Treat A Rattlesnake Bite...Owww

Most people who live in Arizona never see a snake their entire lives, except maybe at the zoo. But if you are unfortunate enough to be bitten by a snake, it is rarely fatal. Especially if you follow these tips.

Difficulty: Moderate

Time Required: Not much, I hope.

Here's How:

1. Don't know what kind of snake bit you? There are many varieties of snakes in the Phoenix area, some of which are venomous and some which are not. The most venomous snakes that are the most dangerous to your health in this area are the Western Diamondback Rattlesnake and the Arizona Coral Snake (also known as the Sonoran Coralsnake).
2. Look for symptoms. If the area of the bite begins to swell and change color, the snake was probably poisonous. 
3. Keep the bitten area still. You can immobilize the area with an improvised splint made from a board, magazines, or other stiff material tied to the limb. Don't tie it too tight---you don't want to reduce blood flow.
4. Remove any jewelry or constricting items near the affected area in case of swelling.
5. Keep the area of the area of the snake bite lower than the heart.
6. Go to a hospital immediately. If you cannot get to a hospital, call the Arizona Poison Control and Drug Information Center at 1-800-362-0101 immediately.

Tips:

1. If bitten by a rattlesnake, DO NOT use ice to cool the bite.
2. If bitten by a rattlesnake, DO NOT cut open the wound and try to suck out the venom.
3. If bitten by a rattlesnake, DO NOT use a tourniquet. This will cut off blood flow and the limb may be lost.
4. Avoid rattlesnakes altogether. If you see one, don't try to get closer to it or catch it.
5. Keep your hands and feet away from areas where you cannot see, like between rocks or in tall grass where rattlesnakes like to rest.

BEWARE:

Rattlesnakes can be hard to spot because they they blend in with their surroundings. Be extra careful hiking. Look out for rocks and bushes where they may hide and never reach into holes are rock piles. Also keep your pets close! Rattlesnakes bite pets too. Keep your pets safe and on a leash when hiking.