We Bought a Zoo

When we left the city and moved into a home on the edge of a small town, I never expected to get nostalgic about the farm.  Here I am though, looking out my window with an expectant smile on my face.  In the winter, the guy who owns the field beyond the creek lets his cattle graze on what remains after the summer planting.  Right now it's really green - with grass and weeds. The cattle love it, and I have to confess that I love the cattle.  Each afternoon I can see the herd migrate through the field towards what I suspect is home and dinner.  Mostly dinner!  These are mamas and their calves, so I delight in watching the calves grow into the sauntering adult cows.  Some mamas are more attentive than others. Some calves more playful than others.

When I was a little girl, my father raised cattle.  I even had one once that my father used to let me ride when I'd tag along with him to feed them.  I have fond memories of cattle.  In my kitchen hangs this photo of my father and his herd.

This picture was taken by a reporter for the Register Mail when Dad won the Outstanding Young Farmer award.  I don't remember what year that was, but the plaque still graces his living room.


While we didn't exactly buy a zoo, there are cattle, goats, sheep, horses, and lots of other domestic animals that we see pretty regularly around here.  I can't imagine owning a zoo, but I do understand on some level the joy that animals can bring into our lives.  There are times when animals are frustrating, heart tugging, funny, too expensive for the budget, and comforting beyond words.

This is what the movie "We Bought a Zoo" is all about.  It's about human relationship to animals.  It's also about how relationships among the human species evolve, and how these relationships can also be frustrating, heart tugging, funny, too expensive, and comforting beyond words.  If you want to spend some time laughing, crying, and coming away with a "feel good" attitude go see it.  It's worth the money!  It's also a true story.  If you're interested in finding out about the real life zoo, you can find it  at http://www.dartmoorzoo.org/

 Gratitude for:
- Baby animals with their Mamas
- Good lab results
- New lungs and a chance of new life for a friend!