HAPPY BIRTHDAY KAIZER AND RUBY

          Five years ago, I had a friend who worked at the zoo. When she left, she went to work for the Humane Society. It had been over two years since our last dog, Mia, had died. John and I agreed we wouldn’t get another dog. He didn’t want one because it would probably outlive him. I missed having a dog and so, in some ways, made the stupidest decision possible. I let my friend know I was maybe interested in finding a dog with one or both blue eyes. She told me about Karma.

          Karma, a small mixed breed (vet says Rat Terrier) was surrendered to the Humane Society in Yakima probably because she was hugely pregnant and brought over to the Humane Society in Seattle. A woman took her as a foster dog on her arrival and the following day Karma, who normally weighs about 14 pounds, gave birth to nine (9) puppies.

Karma was apparently quite free with her favors in Yakima. I saw all the puppies and not one looked like the others. It’s entirely possible she had nine mates. I certainly hope she enjoyed herself because that was it as far as her love life goes. All the puppies were different and I now wish I had a photo of the entire litter.

Ruby 12/15

When the puppies were old enough to be adopted, Haley and I went to see the entire litter at the foster mom’s house. I wasn’t interested in getting a puppy, just the mom. Haley was going to get her first puppy. She chose Ruby because that puppy came to her and was more friendly to her than any of the other puppies. I succumbed to puppy love and decided I wanted one as well.

Kaizer was the most different looking puppy who seemed to smile when he looked at you. That’s undoubtedly why I chose him. The vet said his father was probably a Louisiana Catahoula Leopard dog. Never heard of that breed before, but if you look at a photo of a puppy of that breed, that’s Kaizer. The only difference is the actual breed when full grown will have legs way longer than Kaizer’s and most likely weigh double what he weighs which is close to 30 pounds.

Kaizer & Karma 12/15

Since I wanted a dog with blue eyes, I should have chosen the pure white puppy with turquoise eyes…but she didn’t smile like Kaizer. Karma and Kaizer both have what they call merle eyes, meaning the eye isn’t entirely blue, only partially. Karma’s is more blue when her pupils are very small than Kaizer’s.

Today is Kaizer’s and Ruby’s birthday. They are both five today and have brought a lot of joy to their families. Ruby is terribly spoiled…even Haley’s mom feeds her treats from the table and this was anathema when it came to us feeding Mia that way. Ruby gets to sleep under the covers with anyone in the family…I think she usually ends up at Angie’s feet. She gets to go almost everywhere with any member of her family. Ruby visits her mom and brother often.

Many times, I have said getting Karma and Kaizer was the stupidest decision I ever made. I’ve come to realize, however, that they five me a lot of comfort and joy, especially since John died. There’s muchto be said for having these furry critters laying with or on me on the couch, greeting me in the morning or when I come home, or just knowing they are here with me.

I think they are terribly spoiled as well. They don’t get as many treats as when John was alive, but I know I’m sharing way more of what I’m eating than before. Both hang around the kitchen and sit at attention when I am eating and expect to get the last little bite whatever I’m having. The disappointed look on Kaizer’s face when I say, “All gone, all gone.” almost breaks my heart.

Ruby may not come visit her mother and brother today, but I think I’ll have to make Kaizer…and his mom…some kind of special birthday treat. I don’t know what as I’m typing this, but there is some roast beast in the fridge. Whatever I decide to provide, there won’t be any candles, just some extra pats and hugs.

Happy Birthday Kaizer and Ruby…so glad you are in my life…that goes for Karma too.

ELEPHANTS

        Yesterday’s post was about John and the wild bear and AJ feeding Denali and Keema back in 1998. It made me think of all the special times I was extremely fortunate to have at Woodland Park Zoo. Because of my position, I very rarely asked for favors from the keepers. I knew how hard they worked and how little time they had to make room for donors and important people who wanted an experience in exchange for their dollars. The bear experience with AJ was my first and I’d been at the zoo for about seven years. I wouldn’t have asked for that except I’d done something for Carl (cannot remember what now) and he told me to call if I ever wanted to feed the boys.

          The next auspicious event was the birth of Hansa, the elephant. The entire zoo staff had been waiting and waiting for this big event. All zoo staff were told to stay away from the elephant barn when the baby was born. Chai would be a new mother and the elephant keepers wanted to make sure mom and baby bonded without any kind of activity that might upset either of them.

          When I went home the night of November 2, 2000, I knew the baby was on its way. My boss called and left me a voice mail at about 4:00 am, saying, “We have a baby girl.” I was so excited and couldn’t wait to get to work even though I wouldn’t be able to go see her right away.

          As it turned out, the Exhibits Crew had to quickly build a platform so the baby could nurse from Chai. They did so and Chai and her little one was so calm, word went throughout the zoo that we could go to the elephant barn…quietly and calmly. I immediately went down, the first of three times that day and each time I cried…tears of wonder and happiness.

          Hansa (she didn’t have a name then) was so unbelievably cute. One of her Aunties was able to stick her trunk through the narrow opening in the door. Hansa was absolutely determined to investigate this. It was pretty funny watching a couple of keepers whose combined weight probably didn’t match that of Hansa trying to turn her back toward her mother.

          A few months later, another zoo staffer and I snuck down to the elephant barn for an unapproved visit to Hansa, her mom and aunties. The keepers were glad to have us, but those in charge wouldn’t have liked us visiting. Hansa was growing, but she didn’t yet have any teeth. She stuck out her little trunk, grabbed my hand, stuffed it into her mouth and began sucking. It was and felt amazing. I went back down a few months later and was just about to give Hansa my hand again when the keeper yelled, “Stop, don’t do that…she has teeth now.”

          John did get to experience the elephants. In 2001, we went on a zoo safari to Kenya and the couple leading the trip were both zoo employees. One of them worked in the elephant barn and invited us come visit after we got home. It was either before or after Halloween because we carried pumpkins filled with fruit from the parking lot to the elephant barn. We got to watch Chai, Hansa and the aunties enjoy our largess and John got to hand feed the elephants as well.

My granddaughter was born almost a year later. When she was big enough, she and her mom would come to the zoo. If I could, I’d wander around with them. One day in 2005 we went to the elephant barn and Chai was being trained to do something. The keepers said hi, but went on with their training. I didn’t think anything of it, but the head keeper caught me almost a week later and apologized for not being able to make time for my granddaughter. He said to let him know when I’d like to bring her back.

          So, I planned a visit with my son and his family. At that point in time Haley couldn’t say elephant properly. It was cute the way she said it, but in the time I spent with her the weekend before the visit, I taught her to say it properly…and was a little sorry because I missed her old way.

          The big day came and AJ, Angie and Haley arrived at the zoo. Haley was excited, but the closer we got to the barn, the slower she walked. When we got to the barn door and knocked, she said, “We go home now, daddy.” We ignored her request and went on into the barn. Haley didn’t want any part of those huge animals. The keepers talked about the difference in the elephants and baby Hansa. AJ and Angie both fed the elephants carrots and Angie took a lot of pictures. Haley wouldn’t go near them, not even for her daddy and she’d do almost anything for him. As you can see by the photo, even Nana tried to get her to give Chai a carrot. Nope, and if you look at her toes, you can see she’s a real primate…she’s holding on to me with those too. I was disappointed she didn’t have a better visit.

          That evening, AJ’s family and Angie’s family got together to celebrate Angie’s birthday. Angie had the photos she’d taken that morning developed. Haley went from person to person with the photos, explaining who was who and what was what. She may not have appeared to be paying any attention, but I don’t think any of us had to correct anything she had to say about the photos and the visit.

          Two years later, June 8, 2007, Hansa was dead from a previously undiscovered herpes virus. Her keeper found her when he came in. He called the Assistant Director and told him and he, in turn told me. I was the third person to know Hansa had died. My immediate response was, “You’re kidding.” Then, I had to call my boss, the President and CEO, and her response was, “You’re kidding.” We just didn’t want to believe little Hansa was gone.

          I cannot begin to tell you how sad the entire zoo was that day. Memories were shared, tears were shed, everyone felt terrible. The sadness of that day wasn’t to end for me when I went home, however. Haley’s dog, Sadie, had reached the end of her days. She was an American Bloodhound and she had been a member of my son’s family for years and Haley’s life since her birth.

          John and I went out to tell Sadie goodbye. I offered Sadie a cookie and she took it to be polite, but she just didn’t want it and let it fall out of her mouth. She looked at me so apologetically. My tears returned only where during the day, they had been for Hansa, now they were for Sadie who would make her final trip to the vet the next morning.  

          The day Hansa was born was my very best day ever at Woodland Park Zoo. It even surpassed those from when I was a child and the zoo was practically my playground. The worst day at the zoo for me was the day Hansa died. Still, I have many stories from my time at the zoo and I hope to share them with you in future posts…baby snow leopards, jaguars, Jungle Parties, Paul Neuman.