Monkeying Around

In my effort to try new things and be spontaneous this year, living in the moment... I got an impromtu invitation yesterday from Kyle to get a behind-the-scenes tour of the Pittsburgh Zoo, since he handles the primates there.  Where I would have normally said no and went to Barnes and Noble to have a coffee and read magazines (my comfort zone), I quickly accepted and jumped in the truck and headed over there, thirsty for a new once-in-a-lifetime experience and to push my boundaries.

Throughout the day, I realized just how timid I am around animals (other than dogs).  Since I was a kid, I've always been uneasy around horses, with their mysterious eyes and quickly-spooked nature... and don't even get me started on my warranted but altogether hysterical little girl fear of snakes (eek!).  So, partially out of respect for the animals well-being and habitat, I timidly was led around the staff-only areas from the rhinos to the elephants to the foxes to the primates to the wild dogs to the bears and, lastly, a quick run through of the aquarium... where my irrational fear of the ocean came into play (despite my having been snorkeling a dozen times in my life).  I got to pet a Rhino behind the ears (they skin so ruff)... I got to watch a small fox play with it's toy just like a dog would... I got to feed raisins to a lemur and some apes and various monkeys... (one of which challenged me by huffing his chest (obviously it sensed my overwhelming load of testosterone and manliness)).  I got up close and personal with some wild dogs that looked at me like a (recently lean but) choice cut of beef (as they would have torn me to shreds with their teeth) and I got to feed a peppermint candy to a bear (my hand to it's mouth).  I met every one by name and Kyle provided some interesting tidbit of information about each animal.  He's so kind and gentle with each of them and has a great knowledge. 

The experience was so invaluable and shattered some of the myths that we are fed through the movies that these animals just want to maul us and take over the world.  It also reminded me that we are in their world... not them in ours.  You can't help but see them and reflect on how precious the earth is and question their amazing existence and how they evolved.  I am so thankful for the insight that I got and for the rare opportunity.