Lion Whisperer

Source: http://oodjee.com

I've seen some videos and photos about friendship between man and lions but this one has been the most touching so far. Right when the lions (Meg and Amy) came running to Kevin and hugged him intimately, it brought me to tears. And all throughout the video I just couldn't stop smiling because I was so amused by the bond between him and these iconic predators. I get inspired by people like Kevin Richardson who see wildlife in a totally different perspective. Wild animals always have a gentler side in them. They're actually just like us, if only we know better.

Source: www.veooz.com

Kevin, also known as the Lion Whisperer, is a South African self-taught animal behaviorist who has worked extensively with wild creatures such as lions, hyenas, cheetahs, and leopards. Unlike most animal handlers who use force and fear to subdue them, Kevin manages to build a relationship with the big cats by using love, trust, and understanding. With this approach, he is accepted by several prides of lions and clans of spotted hyenas.

Source: www.wikipedia.com

He publicized this unique relationship through movies and videos hoping to raise public awareness and to educate the world for the protection and conservation of these beautiful animals who are decreasing in population year after year. 

Source: www.wikipedia.com

I cannot express more how inspired I am after finding out about the Lion Whisperer-- indeed, there is still faith in humanity. People like Kevin still exist and live today, striving to make the world a better place. I hope his efforts will not be in vain and humankind will pay attention to his message that these big cats should not be hunted down to extinction.

Source: http://www.germmagazine.com

"A lion is not a possession; it's a sentient being, so you must pay attention and develop your bond like with any relationship."  - Kevin Richardson

Watch this amazing video of Kevin with lions and hyenas: 

I hope after seeing the video you'd help raise awareness for the protection of the wild animals of South Africa and the whole world. They deserve to exist just like us.

http://www.lionwhisperer.co.za

Man's Best Friend

I may have annoyed a lot of my friends with my frequent dog posts but I keep posting them anyway. Haha! These creatures amuse me-- their playfulness cheers me up and their loyalty touches me. I am so much of a dog-lover that even movies about them bring me to tears oftentimes. Yeah, that includes the animated ones. I cried in some parts of Frankenweenie, guilty as charged. Might sound ridiculous to some but I can't help it. I'm too fond of dogs especially our two pooches in the house who are so lovable. They're more than just house pets, they're part of the family. Who knew I'd be cuddling fluffy canines since I used to be terrified of them in my younger years. These days, I love having man's best friend around a lot. I can't imagine our home without my furry buddies.

Doggies captured the analogue way:

After a long day, it's heartwarming to come home to four-legged friends who wag their tails unstoppably with happy facial expressions somehow trying to tell you that they're so glad you're home. Dogs are huggable stress busters that are too hard not to love.

Doggie Birthday

At our place it's sort of unusual to celebrate your dog's birthday. But that didn't stop me from planning a simple birthday party for our dog, Trouble. It was his first birthday and it was also a thanksgiving for giving us an adorable dog who's such a sweetheart. We just had a little afternoon snack and had close friends and, of course, a few pooches as Trouble's visitors. I can always tell that Trouble is happy and blessed to be a part of our family. He's loved and cared for because he deserves it.

Here are a few snapshots from Trouble's 9/11 birthday.

Precious Trouble

The cutest puppy! He looks a lot like his dad. Trouble is an 8 month old Shih-Tzu Terrier Pekingese Chihuahua. He will always be the little darling in the house (although at times he's a brat).

He loves to go joy-riding

He just lies around and get lazy sometimes or most of the time

He enjoyed hanging out with his daddy Cotton...

... and hanging out some more

Trouble loves getting inside bags

Posing for the camera, he's pretty good at it

One of his hobbies-- just rolling on the floor

Sleeping... dreaming... his favorite :]

Failure

May 5, 2011 when we lost our first dog, Cotton. He got hit by a car.

The night he got hit, we thought he'd be alright. None of us have seen how it happened, we just assumed it had not done any fatal damage. The next day he was vomiting and showing signs of weakness. All of us we're busy, too busy to take care of him. That night, I was the first one to arrive home, I noticed he was behaving differently. Cotton was a very bubbly and playful dog but that time I knew everything's not good.  He kept vomiting until there was nothing left to vomit but saliva. I was crying and crying and kept comforting him. I said to him, "Hold on... I'm taking you to the vet tomorrow." I had to wait for the next day to take him to the vet since there's no pet clinic open beyond 7:00 at night in our place. I was desperate but all I could do was cry and stroke his fur. He was helpless, and so was I. Moments later he was acting strange... he was hiding under the bushes in the garden. I started to panic because I've learned that dogs do this (hiding) when they're nearing their end. I couldn't stand the fact that he's leaving us.

Cotton was our fist dog. He was sometimes naughty and we can't seem to control him but we love him so much. We failed to train him to be a dog. He probably thought he was like us because he grew up with humans. We spoiled him; we kinda treated him like a little kid in the house. I always thought maybe he's Joseph, our little brother that we lost reincarnated into a dog. Cotton is very sweet despite his being naughty. We can really tell that he loved us. He would come running to us when we arrive home, wagging his tail, jumping around like he's trying to tell us that he's so happy we're home. I'm the closest to him in the family. I used to be his playmate before we had another dog (his son Trouble). We had spent a lot of time together way back then. We'd be going to the park and I'd let him run and play. It was often me taking him on walks. And when things get out of hand with him, it was always me they call. Cotton was so close to my heart and until now he still is and will always be.

It was raining that night but I didn't care if I got sick; I kept calling him to get out of the bushes and come into the shade so he won't get cold. I didn't want him to die there. But I kept hoping he'll make it in the morning until the clinic opens. Later as I was calling him, he struggled to come out. He was already having a difficulty walking. Cotton stumbled as he tried to stand. I carried him to the porch. I laid him there and covered him with his towel. The tears welled as I looked at him suffering and struggling through every breath. All the happiness we had together flashed back in my head.

I went inside the house for a while and when I went back I thought he was just adjusting his head forward. Soon I realized it was his last breath. He waited for me until his last. I couldn't stop crying. Cotton left us. I failed him. We failed him. I don't know who to blame but all I can think of is us, his owners. We were too careless. If we had brought him to his vet the same night he got hit he might still be with us now. But guilt won't bring him back. The fact is Cotton is gone. All we can do is look back on the good memories we had with him and try our best to make up for everything to his son, Trouble.

One thing's for sure, Cotton was happy with us and we were happy that he was our dog.

I miss you Cotton. You'll be in my heart forever. I'm sorry... I love you...