Zoo-grinch

I am a zoo-grinch.
Animals trapped in cages, and behind barred fences make somewhere inside my psyche cringe. My children, on the other hand, have an affinity for the zoo, and this past Christmas, my mother purchased them each an annual pass to Zoo World.
We are only three months into the year and already, we have gone to Zoo World, four times. Of course, if it was up to the children, we would have gone at least once a week. They are not tired, and there is no sign of boredom.

Last week, I decided to leave the zoo-grinch at home. To be open to the zoo experience and view the zoo and the animals through the bright lens of the kids. There were no magic potion clearing cataracts from my eyes, and guards moving animals from their caged-prisons. There was only an intent to focus on my children’s interaction with the animals.

Zuri’s passion for the parakeets was contagious. I found myself inside the meshed-cage, mimicking the gentle ways in which she extended her arms, – like branches – for parakeets to perch.

Zahara was as selective with the animals as she is with people. When Zahara was a baby, she had an uncanny way of pushing her brows together when she didn’t like someone. It was a little embarrassing to have a child with the scrunch up face, but it was more amazing to have a child with such great intuition. When she was fond of someone, we knew the poor soul had gone through the wringer of Zahara’s silent scrutiny. They were accepted and loved as family. And so it was when, after walking the entire zoo, Zahara fell in love with a sweet, little deer. I too was moved to feed it and feel the softness of its coat.

Markolee loved a Llama and a little goat that was no more than a few weeks old. We learned quickly that goats are uncaring of their young when food was in sight. This injustice infuriated Markolee. I watched as he ran, dodged, and navigated the bullying-goats. When he finally found a way to feed the kid, I cheered like a parent whose child made a 3 point shot at a basketball game, or a home run on the field.

I am a zoo-grinch who is slowly falling in love with the lens my children use to view the zoo. The animals are there already, so why not stop at their cage, let them perch on my arm awhile and offer them food? Why not stop and find your spirit animal? Why not learn something new.  For me, I learned that peacocks aren’t always colorful, they are also white.

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