For Brenda

Brenda is a friend of Shelby's. Brenda likes cats. This pic is for Brenda.

Oh, and one other thing...that cat was sleeping next to the parking lot at this place, where they had a few more cats as well...

Before going in, you had to sign your life away. I purchased the ticket that was to give me 20 minutes with the biggest cats. (Actually, they were between 1 and 2 years old. Their parents were there as well, but the 'rents do not receive visitors. They are noticeably larger, too.)

So, after waiting just a minute or so, a young lady tells me to come along. She takes me to a young man who opens a door to a large area which contains 3 tigers. The girl has already told me to approach the tigers from behind. The young man tells me the same thing. This is, of course, the opposite of what we have been told about animals all our lives. I have to assume that they know what they are talking about.








The first tiger I encounter is not that energetic. In fact, none of them are. I am told that they sleep about 18 hours a day. That must be the time the place is open. Maybe they are active at night.

Ther are actually 3 men in the enclosure with me. One is assigned to me (the fellow that opened the door) and one other (much older) is with us all the time. A third fellow is around most of the time. My main man takes my camera, and takes the pictures.

You notice that he knows what he is doing. There were many more pictures than what I have included here, but they are all pretty good, and some very good. He is obviously careful not to include anyone else in the photos...it is as if I am in there all by myself. Yeah, sure.



Like most other animals I have known, this one likes to be scratched, if you find the right place. They are just a little TOO tame. Either they are half asleep, or perhaps the government has found something else to do with all that opium that the people used to grow :) Every once in a while, one of the guys will make a noise, turn on some music from a phone or irritate a tiger's whiskers to get a response of some sort to enhance the pictures, I suppose.

Well fed, I hope. This one acts like what it really wants is a nap, but it tolerates me just the same. I ask, and am told that they get fed chickens (just like Legacy students and teachers).

Tiger number 2 seems awake. I was told their names, but I do not remember. Great picture, and beautiful animal.

















I was not trying to match the tiger's expression...just turned out that way, and the handler was smart enough to take the picture at the right time. Since I was not allowed to look them in the face, I did not know what their expressions were.














Beautiful. (the tiger)

Each of the tigers had recently been sprayed with water or taken a dip somewhere, so they were a bit wet to the touch...so I did not really want to snuggle up too much. At least tiger 2 seemed to be alert.

Tiger number 3 in a Sphynx pose.

Okay, you got one pose, can I go back to sleep now?

This was probably after somebody tugged at its whiskers. Looks like that mouth could put a serious hurt on someone. Their claws, by the way, were trimmed, not sharp (I asked, and they showed me). the fellow taking the pics would get right in their face. I always had to stay to the side or back.

Cute. (the tiger)

What beautiful animals.

One of the cages at the place had this beautiful bird. Not that He needs my compliments, but God has done a really good job. These tigers were impressive and beautiful. No, Brenda, you can't have one.