The Little Things

Happy Weekend, Readers!

Today I spent a good chunk of time working the souvenir table at the zoo, selling things like hand-made bookmarks and magnets and other trinkets with the zoo logo to raise money for our class.

I had an experience with a boy about 10 years old that reminded me why I spend all my hours at this exhausting, inspiring, frustrating, amazing place. He had come here with his father, who was catering a birthday party. The boy walked all around the zoo, watching the animals and interacting with those we had out for meet and greets. Eventually he wandered over to my table. I spent the next hour showing him the new bookmarks we had made, sharing fun facts about the species pictured, and answering his endless questions about the program, the animals, how early we have to get up, how late we have to stay, how we train, how adoptions work, and what a day is like at the zoo.

Before he went home, he ran back with two dollars in hand and bought the bookmark featuring our leopard gecko Bianca. He gave me a huge grin and exclaimed, "I want to work here someday!" I told him that he should work hard, study lots, and send in an application as soon as he's old enough. I said it's a lot of work, but it's the best choice I ever made and I just love it here.

With that, I started to pack up my table and he ran off to head home with his dad.

THIS is one of my absolute favorite parts of being here. I love talking to the public and I love it even more when I'm able to give even a tiny party of the excitement and passion I feel for this place and these animals to someone else. I hope I'll see that kid when I come back for a visit ten years from now :)

Love and Bellyrubs,

Christy