Hello Kitty

Hello Kitty!

 On a beautiful sunny Saturday morning J and L, along with their friends Richard and Marla Nye, paid a short visit to the Forever Wild Exotic Animal Sanctuary. This High Desert safe haven for injured and abused animals is a marvelous addition to this part of Southern California and the town of Phelan, where the sanctuary is located could not be better suited. Large open acres surrounded by gorgeous desert with the picturesque San Gabriel Mountains due west makes this location nothing but breathtaking.

Shadow and Richard Nye

The Sanctuary, operated by Joel and Chemaine Almquist, has a long history of protecting some of the most exotic and endangered animals. From tigers, to llamas, to alligators, to tiny furry little marmosets, this place has such a variety it takes hours to experience the wildlife being protected by this family and their host of employees and volunteers. It's no easy matter feeding, caring for and otherwise being mommy and daddy to such a variety of animals but the Almquist's do it for the love of the animals they have in their hearts.

To see animals, no matter the size, purposely injured and abused usually makes ones blood boil but the cooling we felt while walking about the large compound allowed us the chance to feel so much better knowing these animals, who would otherwise most likely be dead, being so well taken care of was amazing.

Laureen and her new friend, Buster

It seemed L's favorite was a little red tailed deer (with the unlikely name of Buster) who was very much interested in trying to 'eat' the shirt right off of L's back while being petted over and over again.

Zorro, patient and stealthy

A large sleek black puma eyed J a few times and then leapt onto the side of it's cage while being fed without making a sound. The image of being the hunted came immediately to mind if one were in the jungle and this cat wanted to get up close and personal. It was a majestic animal but one a wise person would stay away from in the wild.

We were taken on a tour of the enclosures by a very knowledgeable young woman by the name of Megan who joked and spoke about each animal we passed as though they were more like family than a wild species.

Valerie, the young woman who greeted us in the foyer of the sanctuary was friendly, again knowledgeable and told us the history and the planned future of Forever Wild. Plans are in the works to expand the facility and animal enclosures, and there is plenty room for that. The issue is the need for donations since this sanctuary is a non-profit business. The donations they receive often come in the form of cash and anything else which it takes to run such a place, such as bottles of cleansers, bales of hay, etc. In fact, in 2009 the Almquist's were the recipients of an Extreme Makeover Home Edition which eased a lot of concern about upgrading not only their home but the main building to the sanctuary.

As with all non-profits they survive with the shared goodness of other peoples' hearts, but in this case the largest hearts belong with all those who live and work at the Forever Wild Exotic Animal Sanctuary and we the people must thank them with the support they need to forever keep these beautiful animals safe.If you find yourself in the Los Angeles area (and parts east), stop by and say hello to the kitties -- and remember that your donations help save lives.

For more information, or to make a donation, visit Forever Wild at  8545 Buttemere Road, Phelan, California 92371. Or visit their website at: http://foreverwildexotics.org/

Ava wasn't talking

A final thought: If you are looking for answers to mystical questions, like our place in this world, and our responsibilities to living creatures, you may just find your answer here. But Ava wasn't talking, so we still do not know the answer to the question, "What does the fox say?" Perhaps she'll enlighten us on our next visit.

Our Dobie

There are not many certainties in life but one J and L could count on when returning home after an adventure or just a day at work was seeing our faithful Doberman standing by the rear chain link fence waiting for us. Dobie, a surprising name for a Doberman, would be standing in the yard rain or shine as though she had an uncanny sense when her masters would return. The other canine family members were often relaxing inside the house or exploring the acreage with possibly a care we may have returned or not (much like human teenage children). They didn't really seem to be too worried about departures or arrivals but our Dobie did.

The Regal Beauty of our Dobie

 Standing nearly three feet tall and weighing in at eighty pounds Dobie made an imposing figure and we knew no one would ever be tempted to clamber into the yard in our absence. With that famous guttural and loud Doberman bark there was no fear of ever finding an uninvited guest surprising either J or L.
 

The Good mother

She came into our lives, a rescue as are they all, and we hoped she would protect our daughters whenever we were away. She was a lover though, not a fighter. She became the beloved of daughters and visitors and never was there a more loving and loyal dog. Oh, all our rescues have made a great impact in all their special ways, but Dobie was the mommy dog to all those who came into our lives after. 


But God help the strangers who ventured past our acreage. Indeed, she was a great watchdog but truth be known she was also one of the most timid creatures to ever have graced our abode.

Large enough to take down a bull but so timid that carpets had to be placed on the tile walkways within the house since Dobie was scared, yes scared, to walk across anything but carpet, grass and dirt. Don't even think of bringing that 'ferocious killer' near any water where Dobie would stand as still as statue, a very heavy statue, and not move. Cajoling, tugging or even threatening would do no good. She would plop on her bottom and sit there with no intention of moving.

Dobie and our German Daughter, Jana

Dobie did not like water and she was not going near it. On some adventures, when J and L would take their pack of dogs, a mile or more may have to be added to a hike to avoid a small pond or river. Frustrating, yes but that was our Dobie.

Four things Dobie loved the most were: digging in the yard where craters four feet deep could be found which could cause a broken leg if not watched out for, eating biscuits - she had a big appetite, sleeping - whenever possible, and loving her family - both human and canine.

A Merry Christmas with Dobies's brother, sister and cousins

Our steadfast family guardian Dobie passed away in the wee hours of February 19th at the age of eleven while she slept. J found her when he awoke on her favorite plushy doggie bed at the foot of our bed.

We don't know what caused her death but it was her time and she went peacefully surrounded by those who loved her so much.

Cuddle Princess

Somehow J knows he will still see her standing guard while waiting her for loving 'parents' to come home and what more could a mere mortal wish for?

Will Rogers once wrote. "If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went."

Amen to that.

You break it and you buy it!

Priceless

The Mall in Waterford City (pronounced water-ferd) in the Republic of Ireland, is the home to some of the most brilliant and expensive crystal creations in the world. Each work is lovingly hand-crafted by expert glass blowers which can be seen in the main retail store in Waterford. Just be careful of what you touch.

J and L felt privileged to walk through the security process, yes, when there are pieces of crystal worth over one hundred thousand dollars, everyone goes through a screening. These are the same people who created the 2,668 little crystals which make the famous ball that drops each New Year's Eve in New York City's Times Square.

Ireland's Harp

This is serious money and a proud piece of Irish heritage.

The Man Who Would Be King

J an L wandered up and down aisles looking at this and that wondering what art work they should purchase with their precious Euros hoping the crystal would make it back to the good ole United States in the same shape as when we bought it.

A Thing of Beauty

The history of Waterford dates back to 1783 when a pair of brothers, William and George Penrose, started producing extremely fine flint glass. The brother's work became world renowned and very expensive.

The company closed its doors in 1851.

Five decades later the company reopened. However, as a result of  the large amount of talent which had left Ireland (fallout from the famine and much more) expert glass cutters were brought in from all over the European continent. The company struggled to remain afloat with the struggling Irish economy in the tank in the 1950's and was taken over as a subsidiary of the Irish Glass Bottle Company.

Yep, Waterford crystal was now made by the same people who put out soda bottles.

"Bottle of bubbling lime aide and crystal chandelier?" That could be more than one could afford.

In 1999 Jasper Conran started designing his own famous signature brand of Waterford. A very talented man that Conran was since it evolved into four unique lines of crystal as well as the fine bone china tableware for Wedgwood in 2001.

Cinderella's Crystal Carriage

Back on top - Waterford was!


Sadly, to this writer and explorer, most of the Waterford crystal is made outside of the Republic of Ireland, in Eastern Europe. Not that J and L have anything against that part of the world and plan to visit soon but the term Waterford means Ireland to us.

Oh yes, the little issue of the seahorse as the mascot for Waterford. Legend has it, and how we love legends and myths, that the factory manager planned it like that. Back in 1947,  Mr. Bill Dolfin believed there needed to be a trademark that would encompass what Waterford represented. Since Waterford had once been one of Ireland's busiest sea ports during the Middle Ages, the graceful and sculptured little equestrian of the sea seemed perfect.

We agreed so much that we dropped a princely sum for a twelve inch tall flower vase to sit and collect dust on our piano back home.


Houseguests - you break it and you buy it!