If I had a dollar for every time someone made a comment about my dog that involved words like horse, saddle, ride, or pony; I'd be rich.
Luca is only 9 months old, and is about 31 inches at the shoulder. (At least, this is what I've marked on the wall, as I
believe I have the only dog in the world who is scared by measuring tape.)
I've learned to accept the fact that when we're out for a walk, or even going through the drive-thru, someone's going to stop us and ask questions. "What kind of dog is that? She's beautiful!" That's all fine and wonderful. I just wish people could come up with something more original than the old "You could put a saddle on her and ride her!" I've yet to hear anything creative.
By now I've learned to hold my tongue and smile.
We dane owners just have to live with it I guess. It's to be expected when your dog towers over small children and can rest her head on the kitchen counter.
Meet Cheyenne. Cheyenne is a Mexican Grey Wolf. Right now, I'm not sure whether she'll live or die.
Being an endangered subspecies, Cheyenne is under the protection of the SSP (Species Survival Plan). The SSP is designed to help stabilize wild and captive populations of endangered animals. Having an SSP protected animal at a zoo basically gives them the right to do with the animal what they think would be most helpful in saving the species.
With that explained, our zoo is participating in a study of the estrus cycle of the Mexican Wolf, at the request of the SSP. Cheyenne has been implanted with a device that is supposed to send her into heat. Being housed with another female, Lola, who is normally the dominant one of the two, this has caused some friction. Yesterday, it went way too far.
I got a radio call at about ten minutes before 1:00, asking me to come to the Mexican Wolf exhibit. I went down there and when I got there, I was shocked. Both females were entirely covered in blood.
We caught both females with nets and Y-poles -- after quite the struggle I may add. The first female, Lola, had a lot of blood on her, but had only minor puncture wounds with no need for sutures. Cheyenne was a different story. Her poor face was mutilated, and she had a large puncture wound in her neck. My boss decided it would be best to tranquilize her before the vet arrived to look at her.
An hour later, Cheyenne had been sutured and cleaned up. I can't help but feel that if we wouldn't have participated in this study, Cheyenne would be fine and not lying nearly lifeless in a stall in our clinic. I don't place blame on the SSP, but I sometimes wish that they thought more about the possible consequences of moving animals, their placement, and studies such as this. I'll post updates about her progress.. I have my fingers crossed.
I am in the middle of a 12 day straight work streak...no weekend. So, I've had a lot of time to think about.. pretty much nothing but my work.
Generally speaking, I think people have a lot of misconceptions about working in a zoo. Maybe not just about in a zoo, but about working with animals in general.
"What a cool job!" "I want to do that!" ...I hear those a lot. It is a cool job, and I have always wanted to do it, but it's not always what it seems.
Lots of people envision a zookeeper being someone who goes around feeding baby tigers and playing with monkeys all day. Sure, there are a few babies here and there, and the occasional monkey interaction -- but it's not all cuddles and warm fuzzies. If you want to be a zookeeper and this is what you're expecting, you may want to re-think your career path.
Sometimes I see death and sickness, and I probably do more cleaning up poop than anything.. but the interaction with the animals is what keeps me there. Feeding the wolves out of my hand or play-wrestling with the lemurs is what makes it worthwhile... and probably the only reason I don't jump off a cliff after working 12 days straight.
This blog has spent enough time in the dust-covered forgotten rows of the internet blog library. It was started as a personal blog, which I already have 2 of. I decided I'm going to do something different with this one.
This is now a place for me to write about all things furry, feathered and scaled.
So in a nutshell...
I'm currently a zookeeper in the upper midwest. I take care of a variety animals, ranging from wolves to eagles to alligators. I currently have no formal degree -- mostly just experience with animals (doing volunteer work at the zoo, having worked in a shelter, and at Petsmart prior to zookeeping). Going back to school is still always on my mind, and I might do it at some point (maybe the third try's a charm.. heh).
I've always loved animals of all kinds, and in addition to the animals I work with, I have my own menagerie at home. My pets include a great dane (Luca), a dachshund (Chloe) two ferrets (Rocko and Taz), a holland lop rabbit (Kirby), a leopard gecko (Crash) and a tank full of fish.
No two days are ever the same, it's always hard work, but it's never boring.
