Thursday, March 30, 2006

A day at the zoo feels like a day at the circus

Our zoo is notorious for having to put animals to sleep or just killing them by letting them eat rat poisoning that someone forgot to put away. Frankly, it's embarrassing. It is a zoo. It's not like it's a brand new idea. I mean, they aren't killing the animals in the San Diego Zoo. The animals actually seem happy there. No, I'm not kidding. I have a picture of a bear with a smile on his face. But maybe that's just all that good weather in So. Cal. I don't know.

So yesterday I took the boy to the zoo. His father thought that maybe all of his crying lately had to do with depression and lack of playdates. I swear on a Bible. Those very words came out of his mouth. Rather than put the kid on Zoloft, I decided to expose him to wild animals. Our very first exhibit was one that truly expresses the care and concern shown to animals at our zoo.

There was a kangaroo, lying on his side, rapidly breathing.

"What's wrong with that kangaroo, Mommy?"

Mommy was stunned. I guess she hadn't anticipated a conversation with her 5-year-old at the zoo about long-term care, assisted living, Alzheimer's and death. I decided to HASU--Hook A Sister Up.

"The kangaroo is taking a nap. It's his naptime. Isn't he a good napper?"

Mommy (and the other 7 parents) looked grateful. Apparently the Wisconsonites had not heard about our less-than-stellar zoo mortality rate. The zoo had a sign posted by the hyperventilating kangaroo stating that they were keeping Roo as comfortable as possible. I'm thinking it's time to up Roo's morphine. That wasn't looking too comfortable.s

All I'm saying is that if you can't do a job right, don't do it at all. The animals deserve far better.

8 comments:

Amy said...

Ohhhh...what a horrible visulazation. Too bad your outing turned out less than exciting, at least you are humorous about it. Our zoo rocks :) Maybe it is the hot all year weather that keeps everyone happy!

eyes_only4him said...

i cant belive they would leave a dying kangaroo out for all to see..how sick is that?

no more zoo trips for you..i can see that already:)

Leesa said...

Wow..that's not a good story. Aren't there veterinarians employed at this zoo?? This is a scary world.

Fantastagirl said...

That is so sad...makes you want to call ahead and ask - so you got any half dead animals there on display so we can skip those exhibits...

Love your cover up- yes, ROO is a very good napper...

Foxy said...

any more trips to that zoo and your kid will end up on zoloft!

Biscuit said...

I don't even bother going any more. I can't understand how they lose so many animals.

Don't even get me started on circuses...

PBS said...

Oh no, poor animals! That makes me feel bad for them. You had the best intentions in going there, though.

Crystal said...

Hi! Hopped on over from Jaime's blog. All right, that's it. I'm a huge animal lover and I have this thing where I think that whatever is done to a helpless animal or child for that matter, the same thing should be done to them. I know it's not very realistic but those kinds of ppl don't deserve to even be on the earth. I heard a story of a lady dropping off a litter of kittens in the woods to die. She was brought to trial and you know what the judge did? He ordered her to stay out in the woods alone with no blanket or food for a full 24 hours!!! Kudos to that judge!