The Elephant Whisperer Book Review

me holding the book the elephant whisperer

I don't remember who told me the story or when I first heard it, but it must have been several years ago.

The story of a man who rescued a herd of elephants and earned their deep love and respect stayed with me.

It touched something inside me, but as life often goes, I forgot all about it... until recently.

A few weeks ago, a friend on Facebook shared her excitement about a book called "The Elephants of Thula Thula," the third installment in a series.

That post reminded me of the story, and I knew I had to read the books and discover the incredible journey of this man and the extraordinary elephants he devoted himself to.

I ordered all three books: "The Elephant Whisperer," "There's an Elephant in my Kitchen," and "The Elephants of Thula-Thula."

Carrying the first book with me on a recent trip, I dove into its pages, ready to immerse myself in the emotional rollercoaster that awaited.

From the very beginning, the beauty of Lawrence Anthony's writing captivated me.

His words painted beautiful pictures, bringing to life a dangerous and enchanting herd and their intertwining fates. 

Through his storytelling, I discovered not only the incredible world of elephants but also the rich tapestry of the Zulu people and their traditions. I gained insight into the complexities of conservation, tribal conflicts, and the daunting challenges faced by those working to protect wildlife in the face of government regulations.

But what truly touched me were the accounts of trust and connection between Lawrence Anthony and the elephants. With each turned page, I embarked on a journey that was both breathtaking and heart-wrenching.

The book evoked so many emotions—smiles, tears, a racing heart, and sweaty palms. I found myself holding my breath in suspense during perilous encounters with poachers and even in moments of tension with the elephants.

Lawrence Anthony's storytelling skills are extraordinary. He vividly describes each moment, allowing the reader to experience the trials and triumphs alongside him.

As I read, it felt as though I walked every step of the journey, sharing in the joys and sorrows, and connecting with the profound bond between man and animal.

However, I made a mistake—an emotional one. I read the final chapters of the book while on an airplane, and the floodgates of my emotions burst open. The decisions Lawrence had to make and the losses he had to endure left me sobbing uncontrollably. It was a powerful reminder of the  impact a book can have on our hearts and souls.

"The Elephant Whisperer" is not merely a book; it's an experience.

Whether you are an avid animal lover or simply someone who appreciates the majesty of nature, I implore you to read this remarkable story. 

It shines a light on the sacrifices made in order to save the lives of these magnificent creatures, providing a deeper understanding of the complexities of human-wildlife conflict and the relentless poaching crisis. 

So, pick up "The Elephant Whisperer" and prepare to be moved, enlightened, and forever changed.

I purchased the soft cover edition of the book and absolutely loved seeing the words on a physical page and the feel of the paper as I turned the pages.   I usually read on a kindle app on my phone, but somehow the book felt more visceral, more real by turning the pages...perhaps bringing me back to my childhood before electronic books and audible were there - back to my curious wonders and delights of childhood.

However you desire to read it (paper back, hard cover, audible, kindle), I highly recommend you pick up a copy and read it!

Here is a link to purchase the book.  This is my affiliate link from Amazon- it is no different for you to use it (the cost is the same) but it makes a world of difference to me.   The small commission I get paid for pointing you in the right direction helps me to keep creating content.   I so appreciate it!

Click here to open amazon

Below is the video review of the book if you prefer a video version.


2022 recap and 2023 plans

forest buffalo

(Lots of pictures at the end of the article)

2022!   What a year.  

It was full of travel and some life changes.

Holly, the last of my dogs was dying and so I pushed off all the travel I could until the end of the year because the Drs. and I were certain she wouldn't survive the summer.

I helped Holly cross over in April and you can read Holly's tribute here.

I've had a pet every single day of my life for the last 45 years and I was unsure how I was going to deal with being pet free.   

Although I am ready to be pet free so I can travel more easily, I was a wee bit nervous as a "doggie mama" is a big part of my identity.

Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances, I am not yet pet free as I have my ex's 3 dogs.   I love them dearly but am looking forward to when they can move in with him and I can be truly pet free for at least a little while.  The stress of finding them pet sitters since a few of my trips were really long took it's toll on me and my enjoyment of the travel.

In 2022, I was away from home for 160 days.  110 of those were between August and the end of December.

In addition to some short trips in the USA,  I visited 13 countries (6 of which were  on a Caribbean Cruise).

The countries that I visited to see their wild places were (in the order I saw them):
Ecuador
Zimbabwe
Namibia
Brazil
Botswana
Kenya
Gabon

Although I loved every minute being in the field, what 2022 showed me is that 110 days away from home in the last 5 months of the year was way to much for me and what I want to do. 

I captured so many amazing moments in time and have so many stories to write, but had no time off to look through, edit and cull images or to write any of the stories.

So, 2023 is going to be a slower travel year and a year for me to write about some of the experiences I've already had as well as showcase some of the images and videos I've taken over the years.

As of now, the wildlife countries I plan on visiting next year are:
Tanzania
Kenya
Mexico
Botswana
South Africa and
Zimbabwe

These trips will be shorter than the ones in 2022.  My goal is to be gone less than 130 days and to  spread them out out over the year instead of concentrating the travel like I felt I had to do in 2022.

I also want to take some more trips in the continental USA to see family and friends.

I've met some amazing people on my journeys this year and had so many incredible wildlife moments.   I learned a lot about the different wild places and wildlife.   

The trip reports for Ecuador are done -- they are written in more of a travel journal style with loads of photographs and videos.   You can find them here:
Galapagos
Ecuadorian Amazon

I got to see wildlife on foot in Mana Pools - a very new and extraordinary experience. 

I saw animals from the water in Chobe - another new experience. 

My soul was shattered in Kenya when I saw the devastating effects of the drought first hand - read this difficult article here 

I got to see wildlife I've never seen before (or even heard of) in Gabon - what an adventure and again, on foot - my favorite way to experience wildlife!

I'll be working on the articles about the these trips over the next several months, so be sure to check back often to read the latest posts and to see more images and videos.

Until then, here are a few images for you to enjoy from the trips other than Ecuador (as you can see those in the articles linked above):

Zimbabwe - Mana Pools

beautiful orange and red sunset over the Zambezi river
a male lion portrait
a baby elephant in the forest
an elephant standing to reach the fruit on the higher branches
a wild dog in front of the river

Zimbabwe - Hwange

2 male lions
high key image of a zebra
elephants having a dust bath
roan antelope in the yellow foilage
2 male lions

Namibia and Botswana - Chobe

close up of a crocodile jaw
beautiful sunrise over the chobe river
giraffe with the sunsetting behind him
a hippo
a family of elephants drinking

Brazil - The Pantanal

Caiman with a dragon fly on his head
Jaguar
Toucan in the trees

Kenya

black and white of a Fish Eagle
elephant baby nursing
leopard carrying her cub
leopard laying in a tree
baby waterbuck
rhino mama with baby peeking behind
sub adult lion laying in the grass

Gabon

western lowland gorilla with a baby on her back
crocodile
forest buffalo
red river hog
turtle trail on the beach
forest elephant
sunset on the beach
looking up to the tree tops in the forest

I hope you enjoyed this little sneak peek of images from my trips this year.     More pictures will be posted on my social media platforms and I'll be writing about my experiences over the next few months.

Here is a video that I put together that has additional images from my 2022 travels.  I still have over 44,000 images to go thru and cull.  The majority of the ones in this video are not edited and I'm not even sure they will make the final cut.

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Holly

Holly in the snow

THE decision is never easy.  But often it is clear.  This time it was neither.

It's never easy to say good bye to your pet, your friend and family member.  When you adopt (rescue or purchase), you are committing to caring for him/her for their forever.  To love them unconditionally, feed them, give them shelter, health care, and keep them safe.

At least that's how it works in my world.  Sometimes humans miss that particular memo when they decide it's time to add a pet to the family - but that's a whole different story and article.

I think given my rules above, it's normal then to feel like a failure when the life of your cherished animal is over.   Like somehow I failed keeping them safe.   Like somehow I should have done more, fixed them better, loved them more.   Somehow deep in the soul it feels like if I had loved them enough, they wouldn't have left.

But that's not how it works in my world either.

When I chose to open my heart, I knew there would be destruction later.  It's a given.  And sometimes it IS easier to just close off the heart and not feel the inevitable pain.  Easier but so much emptier.

The pain of loss is worth the joy of love.  I'm going to say that again.   I feel that the message is for someone - even if maybe it's just for me.  The pain of loss is worth the joy of love.

During the depth of the pain, it's sometimes hard to remember.

Time to Add to the Family

12.5 years ago, I decided it was time to add to my family.   My family consisted of a Labrador retriever that was going blind from PRA and my giant Newfoundland.

I searched on pet finder for another Newfoundland and found her!

Hollys picture on pet finder

She was listed as a Springer Spaniel, Newfoundland, St. Bernard mix.   I took one look at this spunky girls picture and knew she was the one for me.

About a 5 hour drive to East St Louis to meet my little Goddess at her foster home.   She was so tiny.

me holding baby Holly

Holly certainly was a spunky girl.    She caused all sorts of problems with her big brothers - her whole tiny body was smaller than Shadow's head!   And when he had enough of her, he'd just put his head on her and squish her (in an ever so loving way).

Shadow the Newfoundland with Holly

I adopted her in January and we spent many hours at dawn outside in the freezing cold waiting for her to go potty.   She learned quickly that if she went potty - we'd go inside - so she'd just go running around and play and play so she didn't have to go back inside.  My spunky girlie, my Minnie Moo.

baby Holly in the snow

Growing up

She grew up really fast and I started wondering about her pedigree.   She hated water - wouldn't even step in a puddle and loved to run the fence line.   She had very pronounced dew claws so I thought maybe she had some Great Pyrenees - but I'll never know.

Holly liked to pretend she was the alpha dog in the house.   To any casual observer, they would have thought for sure she was...but when she got scared, even as an adult, she would run and hide behind Shadow.    She would always defer to him - he just never demanded much.

She loved going to daycare and playing with all the other dogs.   She loved being at home.   She loved her doggie beds.   And she loved sleeping upside down with her legs up on the wall.   I can't believe that I don't have a picture of her doing it since she slept like that all the time. Here's one, though - of her not using her dog bed and sleeping laying all crooked like she was prone to do.

Holly sleeping crooked

Though the course of her life, she lived in four homes.   She really liked routine (like most dogs) but she settled into all the homes fairly quickly.   She didn't like strangers and would bark at anyone new coming into the home - something I forgot because of Covid, I haven't had many people come to the house...and unfortunately on her last day, when the vet came to the house, she reminded me.

She had a lot of brothers.  First was Dusty (the blind lab) and Shadow (the Newfoundland), then came Spencer (Frank, the Ex's dog), then Rocky (the Golden), Caesar (my mom's lab), and Max (mix rescue).  After Frank and I became ex's, he got Buddie and Gunnar ( Goldens) and Rosie (beagle mix) and would watch my dogs when I traveled - so his dogs became her brothers too.

Her diagnosis

They all got along so well.    When Shadow died, Holly really had a hard time and just 3 month later, December 2020, she was diagnosed with bone cancer and the drs gave her 2-3 months to live.    She more than beat those odds living 16 months after her diagnosis.   Her therapy dr. at Tops Vet Rehab and I didn't believe the diagnosis but something was wrong with her legs.  He back legs were full of arthritis and she was getting therapy for them for over 2 years.    It was the front left leg that really gave her trouble - and that's where they thought she had cancer.

She went to Tops Vet Rehab every week for acupuncture, chiropractic treatments and other pain relief treatments.    She loved going there.  She loved the attention she got and of course the pain relief.

Holly wearing safety googles during laser treatment

She was on a cocktail of 3 different pain medications and as long as I could manage her pain, she was healthy and happy.

Last 6 months

Rocky very unexpectedly died in July of last year.   I was in South Africa and so the dogs had been staying with Frank.    

After I came home and picked up Holly, it was really hard for her to be alone so Frank would watch her so she could be with his dogs and I would watch his dogs so she had companions.

For the last 6 months Frank's dogs have been living with me while he relocated out of state.  When he was ready to take them, we knew Holly's time was running short and decided for me to keep them for awhile so Holly could have continued canine companions.

Her pain, while mostly managed was getting worse and she was on the max dosage of pain medications many days.   The good days were getting less and less.

It's never easy...and this time it wasn't clear

There would be nights that she was in pain that I could not control and I thought - this is it, it is time...then the next day, the weather would change and she would be running (well - her way of running with 3 bad legs) outside and smiling...and I thought to myself - what was I thinking...she's so happy and full of life...how could I even consider letting her go.

Then she'd have more bad days and again the cycle and thoughts would haunt me.   Am I doing enough...what else can I do?   Is it time?   is she ready?    I had long talks with her and it was clear she wasn't ready.

This mental torment for me went on for months.   I wanted to do the right thing by her - give her as much life as she wanted but making sure it was a GOOD life and not one that was excruciating pain.    Dogs can't talk - I had to watch her body language, the position of her ears, how she carried herself, the tension on her face, how she was breathing.   Every minute of every day I was watching her, analyzing her quality of life.    

Thank you to all my friends that listened to my struggles - debating if she had enough quality - was I being selfish wanting her to stay longer, was I being selfish thinking it was time for her to go - so I could end my suffering as well as hers.    

The conversations I had with myself were endless and many times quite cruel.

And it continued.   The winter was so much easier for her.   As spring came and warmer weather and rain, she really started struggling.    About 10 days ago - she had her best day in over a year and I thought - a miracle?   did something jar loose?   Is she really going to be ok?   She was happy and spunky and feeling great.   That night, she had the worst night of her life.   She had already had her max dosage of pain meds and I couldn't help her.   I just sat on the floor with her petting her wishing for the pain to go away.   I knew it was time.   I was calling the vet as soon as they opened.    After awhile I went back to bed.   She woke me up in the morning and was running around the kitchen!   And the conversations would start again in my mind.

For the last week she was on max meds and she had the 2 worst nights of her life in the last week.    In between her moments of happiness - which were still existent but lasting shorter and shorter, she'd lay on the floor fully flat (and I was keeping my house at 65 degrees for her) and just panting and panting from the pain.    

I called the vet on Monday and the soonest they could come was Wednesday the 27th.   Thank God the temperature dropped and her last days were days of super comfort.   On Tuesday night, 36 degrees out she was outside and I wanted to be with her so I donned my winter coat, hat and gloves and decided to light a bonfire.    

Little did I know, the bonfire pit had ripped and so the pit was full of water, I emptied it the best I could and just lit a tiny bonfire in the corner so I could let her enjoy her time outside and I could enjoy time with her.

a very small bonfire

I spent most of her last day sitting on the floor with her.   Questioning if I had made the right decision because she was doing so well.

How many times I asked myself - how many days does she have to suffer for me to feel good about the decision?    Isn't it better for her to pass when she still has good life left?    I'm sure if you ask 100 different dog owners that question - you'd get 100 different answers.   There is no right answer - there's just your choice.   As her loving guardian I got to make that very difficult choice and decided to let her go when she was having a great day.   When she was still happy and not after multiple days in a row of suffering.

Was it the right choice?   I don't know.   Sitting at my computer writing this, with tears streaming down my checks, I still question was it time.   But, at the same time, I know it was.

Life can be so confusing and so hard with the weight of life and death on your shoulders.

Many people that knew Holly wasn't doing well have asked me if I was going to get another dog and my answer is NO.   And it's not because I don't want to open my heart.  It's because I want to experience more in life.   I want to travel more and it wouldn't be fair to a dog for me to travel as much as I desire and have them left behind.   Is it a no forever? - I don't know.   Maybe one day, I'll get tired of traveling and decide to settle down and stay home...for now, my next chapter is traveling around the world as much as possible.

God speed my dear sweet Holly girlie.   I know you are reunited with your brothers and sister you never met.   I know my dad is watching over you and all of you are watching over me.   I love you little girlie and I miss you.

Thank you for letting me be your mama.  Thank you for filling my life with love and laughter and snuggles.   Thank you for being my girlie.

Here is a short video of some of the memories of my sweet girl.


Wild – but still trapped

polar bear sting on a small block of ice surrounded by garbage in the ocean

Shawshank Redemption - a very popular movie.   Perhaps you have seen it?

The majority of the movie was filmed at the Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield, OH and I was a visitor there recently for a business retreat.

A strange place for a business meeting...but Kary Oberbrunner, a Best Selling Author many times over, launched his book "Day Job to Dream Job" there and he holds one retreat a year at the prison...more on that in a moment.    

The prison, on the outside, is beautiful.   It was built between 1883-1910 and was operational until 1990.     

The outside of the prison

From the outside, the prison does not look like a prison. It is a beautiful building.

The Inside

The inside is a different story.   

As I walked through the cell blocks and listened to the stories about the lives lead by the prisoners, I was filled with such a huge feeling of gratitude and empathy.

Gratitude for the life I was fortunate enough to live, the opportunities to grow up in a safe neighborhood, with loving parents, making it EASY to stay on the "right side of the law".

Empathy for those that didn't.   Although true, we all make our own choices, for some, the choices are much easier than for others.

The cells are 5' x 8' and were originally designed for 1 prisoner.   Due to overcrowding, they were used for 2 prisoners and then 3.  

The cell scenes in the movies were filmed on a set where cells were built - and they looked like a Ritz Carlton compared to the actual cells where prisoners were housed.   

5' x 8' cell
one of the cells

The prisoners got to shower 1 x per week and that shower lasted 30 seconds.

Some of the "worst" prisoners, were housed in cells with doors like this:

doors that you can's see thru

These doors were to limit the "view" for the prisoner and cause more isolation.   Food was given through the little door opening and that's also where they would be hand cuffed to be allowed to go to the showers or meetings.

The largest cell block had 6 levels of cells.   The cell blocks were extremely hot in the summer and cold in the winter with snow sometimes piling up inside the jail and the water in the toilets freezing.

the cells
sensory deprivation cell


And then, we saw the isolation and sensory deprivation cells.   These cells were either dark 24 hours a day or light 24 hours a day.  

There was a "door" inside the door for food.

This one shows a cot, but we were told there were no beds / cots in isolation cells.

I can't describe the feelings I had when walking through the prison because I'm not even sure what they were besides the gratitude and empathy as stated above.

And I knew that I would NEVER do anything that would put me inside these walls as a "guest".

So, why hold a business seminar here?  What is the parallel with prisons and business and life?

We had a 1/2 hour exercise where we went into the prison cells to reflect on our own inner prisons - in life and business.  

I didn't want to go into the cell.   I didn't want to be isolated, I didn't want to face my demons.   But I did.

It was a powerful exercise and one I am still digesting...

but one question Kary asked is the reason why I am writing this article in a wildlife centered blog - "how does the experience parallel with what we do ?"

Lisa in prison

What does prison have to do with wildlife?

The obvious popped into my mind first:

Animals in captivity vs. animals in the wild

but that is better demonstrated and discussed with pictures of animals in captivity and not me in a jail cell - and that article (or most likely articles) will come sometime in the future.

As I was pondering this outside my cell with Danielle Bernock, a fellow Mastermind Member and truly an amazing person (go check her out on social- she helps people get over their trauma and is truly one of those people that just bring light into your life), she made a simple statement which lead to my AHA parallel:

Animals in the wild, that live as nature intended, are still imprisoned by humans!

Wild animals depend on humans to make good choices for the environment.    

polar bear sting on a small block of ice surrounded by garbage in the ocean

Humans can save wild places and wild animals by the choices we make.

  • Wild animals rely on us to preserve wild places so they have a place to live
  • They depend on us to stop human-wildlife conflict so they can live their lives as nature intended
  • They count on us to stop trophy hunting (where the biggest and healthiest of animals are taken to display on someone's wall)
  • They need clean oceans and have to trust that we will stop polluting the waters around the world
  • They rely on us to stop taking babies out of the wild to live their lives in captivity (this is happening currently with elephant calves being ripped away from their herd and sold around the world - INCLUDING sales to the USA!)
  • Humans hurt them by taking selfies with wildlife and putting them in jeopardy (have you seen the viral videos of people passing around dolphin babies to take pictures and the baby dies because of it??   Or videos when people try to get to close to a bear or a moose.   This causes so much stress on the animal and is dangerous to both them and the human.)
  • The wild animals count on us to stop testing on them for the cosmetic and medical industries (have you seen the videos of chimpanzees that were used for medical testing being released to sanctuaries that have never been outside or stepped on grass?)

I'm sure there are many more examples that I did not think of where we humans are imprisoning wildlife even when they are in the wild.

The animals DO NOT HAVE A CHOICE!

but

WE DO!!!!

We, the humans, have choices.   We can choose to

  • Not take selfies with animals - both captive and wild
  • Boycott industries that test on animals
  • Support non-profits that help animals
  •  
     
    Boycott buying any animal trinkets - rhino horn, ivory, lion / tiger bone salves or creams, giraffe hair bracelets, animal skin rugs, etc.
  •  
    Get involved with local charities to clean up and preserve wild habitats
  •  
    Stay informed about conservation efforts
  •  
    Vote and contact your representatives about wild places and wildlife bills
  • Recycle
  •  
    Plant flowers and gardens that are wildlife friendly
  • Vacation in wildlife rich destinations

There are many things we, the human species, can do to help wildlife and wild places around the world to thrive.  

It is up to us to preserve the wild places around the world for generations to come!

What impact can you make?


As always, I'd love your thoughts about this article and other idea of what the human species can do to help save the wild places around the world!



Please share the article if you have friends that would enjoy it!

Rocky

a picture of my beloved pet

It's been 15 days since Rocky passed to the Rainbow Bridge.   I've tried to start this memorial post for him many times over and there's a part of me that is still in disbelief that he is gone.

But this isn't about me, it's about Rocky, a beautiful soul that left the world way to quickly for me.

I was ready to add another pet to the family and had started looking in earnest.   This time, I went with a breeder.   I have adopted homeless dogs as well as dogs from a breeder and for some reason, this time I went with a breeder.

Rocky's breeder lived in Colorado.   

one of these puppies is Rocky
at 4 weeks old

Frank and I made a vacation out of and took the RV and the Jeep to Colorado and spent some time in the mountains before it was THE DAY for Rocky to come home with us.

It was LOVE at first sight.

The little man did not do so well on the about 1 hour drive back to the RV.   He threw up all over me.   Poor baby.   That was the one and only time he ever got car sick.

He recovered quickly and enjoyed his few days in the fresh air of the Colorado rockies.

He was a trooper in the RV for the long ride home and met his new brothers and sisters.   Shadow, Holly, Spencer, and Caesar (my mom's dog)

He came to the office with me every day.  His days were full of sleeping, eating, playing, and sleeping some more

He quickly learned to swim and would even put his entire head under water to get a sinking ball.    This, of course, made Shadow very panicky.    Shadow felt it was his duty to make sure little Rocky baby stayed in the shallow end near the stair and would constantly herd him back to the stairs to stay safe.   He was such a great life guard.

Time passed so quickly.   Rocky had many siblings that passed before him:   Spencer, Max, Caesar, Shadow.   And he helped two foster puppies:   Seven and Little Girl.    He is survived by his sister Holly and Frank's 3 dogs:   Buddie, Gunnar, and Rosie.    He loved playing with all of them.   

Everyone loved Rocky. He was forever my little baby and he was an absolute mama's boy. He always wanted to be where ever I was. He'd follow me around the house to be in the same room with me.

His favorite things were taking SLOW walks, playing with toys, getting snacks, swimming, SNOW, and laying on my lap.

He was a true angel for his entire life and now he is a real angel with the other dogs that have gone before him.

Below is a quick slide show of some of my favorite moments. He will truly be forever in my heart.

Rest in Peace sweet, sweet boy until we meet again. 

I love you.

Shadow

Shadow was one of the truly beautiful souls.   A gentle giant.   Written words won’t ever do justice to his life and what he’s meant to me.  I wish I was a poet so that I could illustrate how amazing his soul is.

Shadow came into my life because of Dusty, my yellow lab.

Dusty was diagnosed with PRA or progressive retinal atrophy – in short, his retinal cells were dying and he was going blind.

I had seen videos of blind dogs with their own seeing eye dogs and I decided that Dusty needed his own companion to help him navigate his life as a blind dog.

Dusty needed a gentle companion.  One that would be tolerant in case Dusty stepped on him, or got close when he had a treasured treat.   One that would be kind under all circumstances.   I researched different breeds for hours and days on end and decided a Newfoundland would be the perfect companion for my precious boy Dusty.

I scoured the rescues and applied for dog after dog and either got no response or was rejected for one reason or another.   As Dusty’s eyes continued to decline, I decided to buy a puppy from a breeder and the search was on for a good reliable breeder.

It was fate that I didn’t get a rescue dog, because I can’t imagine a better fit than Shadow, at least for me.   I found a breeder in upper Michigan.  She just had a liter and I described what I wanted, so I put my deposit down and was the proud new guardian of red boy from Raven.   (red was the collar he had and Raven was his mother)

It was an 8 hour drive each way to the breeder.   I went up two times to see the baby and meet the breeder to make sure it was a good choice.  It’s easy to see from the pictures that I was already in love.  Smitten from the first time I saw him and held him.

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

At 8 weeks old, it was time to take him home and introduce him to his new big brother.   My mom took the long drive with me so that it was easier to care for him on the long drive back.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

He got to meet my dad first.

Shadow and Dusty became great companions.  Dusty was patient with Shadow’s puppy antics.

 

As all puppies do, he got into all sorts of trouble.  Rolled in so much stinky stuff and was continually getting baths in the laundry room sink.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shadow grew fast.  One minute I could hold him and carry him and the next he was huge!  He became the gentle companion that Dusty needed.  If Shadow was chewing on a bone and Dusty stepped on him, Shadow would just look at him with an expression of “oh hi”.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shadow loved to run and swim

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and roll in the grass.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

He loved the snow.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And he LOVED Christmas.   He learned from an early age that sometimes presents under the Christmas tree were for him.   He’d sniff the gifts out and if there weren’t any there for him, he’d throw himself on the ground and you could hear the “humpf” coming from him.   But don’t feel bad, he ALWAYS got Christmas presents.   I learned early on, I could only put them under the tree on Christmas morning when he was outside.   He always knew…I’m not sure how…but he’d come in and run to the tree and he was so excited to get presents.    Last Christmas, in our new house, I found him many times lying under the tree waiting for Santa to come and bring him his presents.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

About 6 years ago, he started having a strange walk.   He would hike his back leg up.   I took him to the vet and after seeing a specialist, he was diagnosed with neuropathy.   They thought he may have nerve sheath cancer.   He started going to physical therapy at Tops Vet Rehab.   At first it was twice a week.  After he could no longer do the underwater treadmill, he started going one time per week.   He loved the attention he got from the therapists and it’s because of the therapy that he lived as long as he did.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Over the course of his 13 years of life, he lived in 7 homes.  He has had 6 “brothers and sisters” and has helped me through the passing of 4 of them (Dusty, Max, Spencer and Caesar).   He is survived by Holly and Rocky.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shadow was my rock and my companion for the darkest days (and nights) of my life.   He was not only a gift for Dusty but a gift for me and everyone that came into contact with him.   He attracted so much attention with his beautiful black tresses and his 155 pound size (at his prime).  People would just smile when they saw him.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words and my words are not flowing to describe his life in a way that demonstrates how amazing he was…so I hope the pictures show how much he was loved and how much love he gave.   It was hard to pick just “a few” from the over 1000 images I have.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You are forever in my heart.   Until we meet again my sweet boy.  I love you.

It’s the space between heartbeats that really matters

They say everything can change in the blink of an eye.   For me, it was more like everything changed in the space between heartbeats, because that space which is usually un-noticeable and quiet, becomes very loud when the next heartbeat fails to come.

Eleven years ago today, and I still remember it like it was yesterday.   Well, that’s not entirely true, some details are now blurred.  I no longer remember the exact time he left this world.  I can’t remember who was standing where around his hospital bed when he drew his last breath and his heart beat its last time.  And although I do remember that I felt my heart explode into a bazillion pieces, I can’t actually remember what that felt like.

I remember so many emotions:  strength, anger, fear, disbelief, shock, worry, responsibility, loneliness, sadness, guilt, love, probably the entire gamut of human emotions was coursing through my body.

I remember the house full of people who loved him and so much “stuff” that had to be done.

I remember the fog I was in, acting more from instinct than from consciousness.

I remember walking through a grocery store, feeling utterly alone and being so angry because for the others in the store, life was just life, and for me, my world had ended.   That was one of the hardest parts.  You still have to buy groceries, do laundry, go to work, pay your bills, live – but how?

I remember waking up the next morning (not sure I even slept) shocked that I had survived one night with him gone.

then a day

then 2 days

I remember after one week and one month, thinking I survived, I can do this.

Each landmark was more shocking than the last because that night, 11 years ago, I didn’t know I could even breath with him gone, wasn’t even sure I wanted to.

What plagued me often in these last eleven years, and especially, in the beginning, was guilt.  what right did I have to be happy?  to have fun?  to laugh?  – really to live when he couldn’t?

How could I be happy when he wasn’t here to share it with me?

I became very responsible and serious trying to take over for him.  In hindsight, it’s funny because although my dad was very responsible, he was also always smiling and positive.

My dad loved the ocean.
Cooking lasagnas for Christmas dinner. Always smiling…always.

I know most little girls grow up thinking that their dad is the best, the most amazing special man – and I was no exception.

My dad had such a beautiful presence about him.  Whenever he walked into a room, you could feel the lightness.  Kids were always attracted to him and he made everyone he came into contact with feel special – from his family to his staff to strangers on the street.  He was just that amazing kind of a person.

I feel so privileged to have been his daughter.

Dad supervising me in the flight simulator.
Me and Dad in Switzerland visiting my sister and her family.

When I was young, we’d play catch while he was grilling dinner.  I helped garden and cut the lawn.  He taught me how to drive a tractor and tried to teach me how to pull a trailer (one lesson I never got the hang of.  I can still jackknife a trailer like a pro).   That thought makes me smile – every time I jackknifed the trailer, he’d have to come to fix it for me.  He helped me fix a lot of things.

He loved to dance and eat ice cream.  He loved people.  He loved life.

 

Me and dad dancing…one of his many favorite things.
When I was little…just a girl and her dad.
My mom and dad – doing what they did. Enjoying dancing together.
Always enjoyed spending time with my dad.      

I don’t really remember the sound of his voice but I remember it was full of love, understanding, encouragement, and sometimes, thankfully very few, disappointment.

I remember as an adult, how happy he sounded whenever I called him.  I could literally hear his smile through the phone.

I remember at his funeral, the line of people standing outside in the snow and cold for 2.5 hours to pay their last respects.  The stories they told us of what he had done for them and the impact he made on the lives of so many.   It was overwhelming how one man, my dad, could have such a deep impact on the lives of so many people.

I always pretended that I was just like my dad.  I definitely look like him but looks are only skin deep.   I have a far way to go to be the truly amazing person my dad was.

Always smiling.

I believe in spirits and I believe my dad is still here with me, watching over me.  I don’t know where this belief came from or if it’s something I just took on because the alternative is not acceptable in any way.

Even with this belief of my dad watching over me, I still was plagued with the guilt of living full out.  Yes, it had eased over the years and I started my wildlife photography travel again about 6 years after he passed and I found some joy in different areas of my life but it hasn’t fully lifted.

Not to long ago, I was shown something so obvious that I had missed (I will forever be grateful).  Since I believed so strongly that my dad was here in spirit, watching over me, wasn’t I hurting him by not enjoying my life to the fullest?   Would my dad want to see his daughter still in pain and suffering or would it ease his soul to see me happy and embracing life and embrace who I was meant to be?

My heart that exploded into a gazillion pieces eleven years ago is slowly coming back together to be whole.

The lessons that took me 11 years to learn (and still learning):

1.  life can change in small ways and big ways in the space between a heartbeat so make sure all your spaces are full of beautiful things and those that bring you joy

2.  not living to your fullest is punishing you and everyone around you and everyone you care about – so wake up, get up, and live

3.  time doesn’t heal wounds.  It dims the memories and pain but it’s up to you to adjust to your new circumstances and the sooner you do the more you can live

4.  no one benefits from you playing small – so don’t.  Your departed loved ones do not want to see you suffer – they want to see you live, so go dancing, build a snowman, play on the beach, chase your dreams and live happily

5. even though I’ve met so many wonderful people over these eleven years that will never get to know my dad, they can get to know a little of him through me.

6.  I get to be me, the me I want to be, not the me that I think others want me to be because in truth, that’s what they want for me too (thank you Bob Proctor)

Every day, my dad is with me in my heart and mind.  I respect him immensely so my new question is what would dad do?  I take it under advisement and then do it my way (which usually has some of dad’s way built in).

If you are lucky enough to have a parent, grandparents, or loved ones in your life, be grateful and take time while they’re still here to share your life with them and share in their life too!

So dad, for you, for me:  last year I went Kayaking, white water rafting, and tried downhill biking.  I made a snow angel, played in the ocean, and salsa lessons start next week.   I’m treking for snow leopards and seeing Komodo dragons.  Snorkeling in the Galapagos and watching the elephants.    I’m finding my way back to my creative side and I’m living.

–   Lisa

My amazing parents.

 

Looking regal.
Meeting Shadow
Always find the fun.

 

I have so many beautiful pictures of my dad, but since this is a public post, I didn’t post pictures with anyone else.

Lipstick – My tribute to this majestic lion, Masai Mara Kenya

My love affair with Kenya started 26 years ago.   Oh, I could tell you it’s because of the people – so kind, welcoming, and generous of spirit…or because of the amazing animals and wildlife areas.   But truly, it’s always been because of the way being in Kenya makes me feel.    From the first moment I placed my foot on the ground, I truly felt a sense of home, of acceptance, of belonging.

My emotions in Kenya run the gamut from awe and wonder to anguish and heartbreak.  Mother Nature is truly at her finest in Kenya and nature shows all of her sides.

After a 23 year absence, my love for Kenya was rekindled in August 2015 – and once again, my heart was set on fire.  During that trip, I “met” some of my favorite big cats.  My curiosity and desire to know more about them, has had me return time and again to Kenya.

This is my story of “Lipstick”.   I didn’t know his name the first time I saw him, but the first day I got to spend time with him is etched in my memory forever.

August 26, 2015

On our mad dash back to the lodge because it was late and getting very dark –  we spotted them – the BIG BOYS!    The ones I have been dying to see.    2 big black-maned lions!    We couldn’t stay – it was late and getting really dark….so a quick snap and then lots of prayers to the universe that we would get to see them again.

The Magnificent Lion, Lipstick, from the Masai Mara, Kenya. My first sighting of the big black mane lions of the Mara
August 28, 2015

The morning came quickly as it always did – crisp and cold, so unexpected when you are in Africa.   I was beyond excited for the day – because today, I get to be with one of my favorite guides, Edwin alone!   Everyone else in my photography group chose to visit a village – which left me alone on safari.

Edwin asked me what I wanted to see.  The guides really can’t control what nature shows us, but they DO have this uncanny 6th sense of finding situations and animals.

So, I told him – I wanted the big black-maned boys!   Like the ones we had seen 2 days before.  So off we went in the dark of the morning, headlights on, to search for these magnificent lions.

About 15 minutes out of camp, Edwin stopped the car and pointed.   I have no idea how he saw anything – the migration was late this year and the honey-colored grass was tall – probably over 5′ in some areas AND it was still really dark!  I figured he saw rocks – but we decided to get closer to see what we could see.

And there they were – 2 of the most beautiful lions I had ever seen.   They had these magnificent black manes and were HUGE!   There were also lionesses and cubs a little ways off finishing their meal from the night before.

Lipstick with his lady friend. Pre-dawn in August 2015. My first chance to spend time with the beautiful black-maned lions.

Edwin and I stayed with the pride for over 2 hours.   I didn’t see much of Lipstick that day, as he chose to stay in the tall grass with his “lady friend”, but my love for him and his brother, Blackie, their “girls” and cubs started that day.    I spent the 2+ hours watching and photographing the moms and the cubs, and Blackie came out of the grass for a little while too.

Blackie and Lipstick’s pride in the Masai Mara, Kenya. Mom with an older male cub. Notice his little mane tufts.
Lipstick and Blackie’s pride. I stayed with them for over 2 hours and watched the interaction between the lionesses and the cubs as well as the cubs playing together. Three cubs of different ages.
Lipstick and Blackie’s pride. A mother and her cub.
Blackie, Lipstick’s brother, interacting with one of the pride cubs.
January 10, 2016

My next encounter with Lipstick and his brother and pride was 5 months later.   My safari vehicle got a notice that there was a pride of lions on an eland kill.   The pride had successfully taken an eland sometime the day or night before.   This is a very difficult feat and demonstrated the strength and teamwork that the pride was able to maintain.   When we arrived, most of the eland was eaten.   The females and cubs, chubby from their meal were off a ways sleeping off their food coma (well, the mamas were trying – but the cubs kept using them as jungle gyms).   Blackie had just walked off and Lipstick was still feasting on dinner.   Lipstick’s tummy was protruding and round like a watermelon – but he was determined to have more.   We stayed with them for the remainder of the afternoon.

Lipstick with his super round belly continues to feast on the eland kill.

 

HE thinks that this is yummy!

 

Beautiful Lipstick in the grasslands.

 

A display of fleming – where the lion uses all his senses to “smell” the air.

 

Lipstick, such a beautiful specimen of a lion.
January 12, 2016

My group was lucky enough to see him, his brother, the cubs and mamas again a few days later.   We stayed with them most of the afternoon and mostly hung out with the mamas and cubs.   There were several ages of cubs, including one pretty tiny cub.   We thought he must have just recently been introduced to the pride because he was so little – the mom even tried to carry him a few times when he fell behind.

Regal Lipstick
Lipstick, one of the Kings
The females and cubs go off in search for shade.
Mom checking on the littlest member of the pride.
On a mission

 

The little one nuzzling with mom.

January 14, 2016

Mother nature showed her tragic side today.   It is always difficult for me to watch an animal die…but nature makes it so one animal has to die so others can survive…and whenever I see an animal being killed, I comfort myself with that thought.   Today, it was different.   Today, I had to bear witness to the baby cub from 2 days ago being killed – not for food – so there was no comfort here.    This is a very traumatic story and one for another day.

Blackie and Lipstick and the rest of the pride were not far.   But even as powerful as the two of them were, there was nothing they could (or would) do to save the little one.

After witnessing the destruction of a life so young, we went over to the Big Boys and the cubs.   The cubs didn’t seem to understand what had transpired, the other lionesses did.   Not sure if Lipstick and Blackie did or if they just “didn’t care”.   The cubs were trying Lipstick’s patience but it was nice to see them playful after witnessing such a traumatic event.    Even with Lipstick being grumpy, the
cubs still played around him anyway.

Lipstick tolerating one of the cubs.
Not too happy Lipstick being gentle with one of the cubs.
Good thing he knows how to be gentle.
July 17, 2017

I got to see my beloved Blackie and Lipstick again in July 2017.   He was with a lady friend on another honeymoon.   I only saw him on 2 occasions on that trip.  To my untrained eye, he looked to be in his prime and still extremely strong.

Looking healthy.
Beautiful Lipstick in the golden light.
Lipstick and his “lady friend”.
Creating the next set of cubs.
Wherever she goes, he will follow.
Ouch, a little blood.
Surveying his “kingdom”.
Taking a rest.
Sitting nicely for his portrait.

 

January 2018

I knew they were getting up in age and there are several young and strong coalitions in the area, so my goal on this trip was to spend as much time as possible with my beloved black maned boys.   Unfortunately, due to unexpected rains and river flooding, I was only able to see Lipstick and Blackie twice.

Lipstick starting to show his age.
Lipstick and part of his pride resting in the shade.
He looks tired here.
And he sleeps.

As I left the Mara, I had a feeling I may not see them again.    Through different facebook groups and Instagram, I am able to keep up with my beloved cats between trips.

It was with great sadness that on the morning of May 18, I saw the devastating picture of Lipstick – once a beautiful majestic huge powerful lion, reduced to skin and bones and no longer of this world.

A friend of mine gently reminded me instead of grief, I could rejoice in all the moments I got to experience his magnificence.   So, here is his tribute and some of my images of this incredibly beautiful and powerful lion.   A lion that made my journeys to the Mara that much more special and unforgettable.   May you rest in peace beautiful boy in whatever plain you belong to now.

Max (aka Highlander)

I can’t imagine the life he lead before he came to Last Day Dog Rescue…well, wait, yes I can and it’s not nice.

His teeth tell part of the story, no front teeth on the top or bottom.  Concaved canines – probably from gnawing on metal of some sort.   The condition of his body – so skinny even after a month of being in rescue, show that he had known hunger – a lot of hunger and probably thirst and that he’s been on his own for a while.

The fact that he was VERY afraid of guns – tells us that he was probably shot at some time in his life – and since he lived in the streets of Detroit for who knows how long and that fact that he was REALLY  afraid, I’m guessing that he had more experience with guns than I ever want to know about.

He had no hip joints and that caused him a lot of pain.  Pain that was manageable with acupuncture and medication…but not when he was out there all alone in the streets of Detroit.   My poor boy, I don’t want to imagine what his life was like before he found rescue.

I also know that once upon a time, before he came to Last Day Dog Rescue, he knew love.  He had a home, somewhere.   Because when he came to live with us, he had perfect house manners.   Even though he knew starvation, he was a perfect gentleman around his food and during treat time – even allowing the other dogs to take the food from him if they wanted it and people too.   He loved going on car rides and loved to snuggle.

Such a gentleman always waiting for treats

How did he get from a life of love to the horrible streets of Detroit?  That is a question I will never have an answer to.   I wonder if his first humans miss him as much as I miss him now.   Did they try to find him or did they put him on the street thinking he’d be better off?   I want to think the best of them but sometimes it’s hard.

In Spring of 2013, it all started when I was on a cruise with my mom.  Somehow I had gotten it into my heart that I needed to adopt another dog and went to petfinder every chance I could – searching for my next cherished family member.   That’s when I saw the cutest video of Highlander.

It was love at first watch.   I probably watched the video a thousand times.  I emailed back and forth on the terribly slow cruise ship internet with Last Day Dog Rescue – begging them to let me be his human.    Being such the cutie that he was, he got lots of applications and somehow, Last Day picked me to be his human.   I don’t know how I got to be the lucky one but I am forever grateful that I was.

2 days after returning from the cruise, on April 17, 2013, I took the 5.5 hour drive to Detroit with a dog bed in the back of the dog van and a new leash and collar to go meet my new boy.    5.5 hours back home and it was time to meet the family.   Since I had never introduced adult dogs to each other before, Vicky from the Illinois Alaskan Malamute Rescue (www.IAMRA.org) came over to help me make sure everyone would get along.

For the most part, Max fit right in – every once in a while, he’d have a stick up his butt and decide he wanted to be the big dog in the house and he’d go after Shadow, my newfie, who outweighed Max by about 100 pounds.   Shadow, the sweetheart that he is, would just look at Max with the expression of “seriously dude?”.  They would work it out for a while and then every once in a while, Max would be a jerk to Shadow again.   When they loved each other, they would lay together on one of the dog beds or on the floor next to the couch.   Most of the time, they ignored each other and peacefully coexisted.

Shadow and Max, peacefully co-existing 🙂

I think Max was secretly in love with Holly, my mix rescue girl.  He would follow her around like a lovesick puppy.  Holly would tolerate the attention for a little while, but if he got on her nerves, she had no problem telling him so.    They loved to bark at the deer and run up and down the fence line chasing them…and bark at the birds by the lake and of course at the people that would wander into the park next to the house.   I think Holly will miss him just as much as we will.

Max was super tolerant of the very spoiled boy Rocky, my golden.  Oh, Rocky – you really know how to push for more food.  Max would relinquish his food bowl to the “starving” fat boy Rocky whenever we weren’t looking.   So, we had to stay on top of that one – especially in the end when it was hard for Max to eat.  He also liked to play with Rocky.   They never got too rambunctious but they would wrestle now and then and run around together.

Rocky and Max

Max’s favorite place was outside.  He loved to be outside.   Walking the perimeter of the yeard, laying on the deck and watching the world go by.   It hurts my heart that the last few days he was of this world, he couldn’t be outside because the humidity made it too hard for him to breath.    He would lay outside for hours and we always had to double check he was in the house before we went to bed or left to go somewhere.

Max loved his tennis balls

Max also very much enjoyed going to daycare.   Somehow they knew what days were daycare days and Max would run to the laundry room and just dance around and jump around waiting to get in the car.  (how I wish I had taken the time to take a video of him doing his happy dance).

Holly, Shadow, Rocky, and Max at daycare

It made it difficult to put on his leash and collar – but his exuberance was infectious.   It was very hard on him and me on the days when he couldn’t go to daycare but the other dogs could – like when he was recovering from his 2 knee surgeries.

He was such a trooper through those surgeries and his recoveries.   12 weeks for both knees.   Although we knew how much he wanted to go outside and down the stairs, he was never pushy and just made it so easy for us during his recovery.   He took his ice packs and never chewed on his stitches – no cone head for this beautiful boy.

Laying on the deck recovering from knee surgery

Because of his hips and the 2 surgeries, we could see that he was losing strength in his back legs.  His brother Shadow, the newfie, had been going to rehabilitation therapy for a while because of nerve damage, so I thought it would be good for Max.

Max went twice a week in the beginning and then once a week for the last year.   He loved his Thursdays – going to Tops to see Dr. Kevin and especially to see Carrie.  He did underwater treadmill to keep his strength up and also laser therapy to help him with his arthritis in his joints, and acupuncture to also help with his arthritis and pain management.   It really kept him comfortable and helped give him an incredible quality of life with the ability to still do the stairs so he could spend time in his beloved back yard.   I’m going to miss watching him working in his underwater treadmill and him wearing his eye protection during the laser treatments and seeing him relax during his acupuncture treatments.

ready for laser treatment
at Tops ready for therapy

You never think “it” will happen to you.   You always think that there will be a tomorrow.   As I look through the pictures of Max, I realize there are none of him and I together.   There aren’t enough memories captured forever on “film”.  It all happens so fast and in a blink of an eye, everything changes.

Several weeks ago, we got the diagnosis that Max had mystastic oral melanoma – non-operable.   There were treatment possibilities – and we went through the tormented decision of do we treat or don’t we.   Radiation once a week to his throat – having to anesthetized and intubated.   Then to watch him suffer again somewhere down the line.   The cancer was in his nasal cavity, on the roof of his mouth and starting to block his airways.  Ultimately the decision was taken away from us as the cancer was so aggressive that treatment would not have helped in time.  So, we spent time with him and spoiled him and little did we know last night when we went to bed and when he came up on the bed with me, that it would be for the last time.

During the night his breathing became very labored.   I had rented an oxygen machine for him – thinking that if he could get more oxygen per breath, he’d be better off.   So, I sat with him all night with the oxygen machine.   While he was awake, he was fine – he could breathe through his mouth by panting slightly.  It was when he fell asleep – he had such a hard time breathing through his nose that he could only sleep for a few minutes at a time because he would wake up to breath – even with the oxygen.    He started bleeding from his nose – not a lot and I’m not sure from where.   He became a little disoriented from the lack of sleep and we knew it was time.

With the help of an at-home euthanasia vet, we said our final goodbyes and buried him this afternoon up at the family farm next to his brothers and sister he never met:  Caesar, Zoey, Dusty, and Spencer.   I know they were there at the rainbow bridge waiting for him and they will guide him until one day when we meet again.   I told him to tell my dad, my uncles, aunts, and cousins that I love them and miss them and asked that they continue to watch over me and my family.

So now my heart has yet another hole that will never be filled.   Each of these amazing dogs has taken a piece with them.

I will never regret giving Max a home, even though it was for such a short time and even though my heart is completely broken right now.   I wish I  had taken more pictures and videos and of course wish I had spent more time with him.

Everything changes so quickly, I just have to remember to take the time NOW, when I have the time, because tomorrow may be too late.

Frank and Max enjoying the family farm
Max, one of his last days, enjoying relaxing on the couch
Max spending time with me at the office 
Max always loved the outside
my beautiful boy, I miss you!