Welcome!

In 2009, I started my first blog,  http://gooberssfzoofriends.blogspot.com/ The idea came after I started learning more about the Animals, and because of that,  was even more endeared to the Zoo.  I had become closer to the Zoo over the past year when I stared visiting several times a week after the Tiger Cubs were born (2008) and then a few months later I lost my beloved Cat a month before his 2th Birthday.  I had a job that I worked from home  in the afternoon, so the Zoo became a place to dilute my heartbreak and I started visiting almost daily.   

I had already felt protective over the Zoo after the Tatiana Event Christmas Day 2007.   Visiting the Zoo had been my Holiday tradition for years, so I was there that Day.  As I set out, having two stops to make, I decided to go to the Zoo first.  When I got home and saw what happened, I my heart broke as I had just seen Tatiana 2 hrs before and wished I had made my other stop first and maybe I'd have been there at the right time to stop those Criminals from causing her death. 

Because of how close I felt to that Day and my passion for the Animals and the Zoo, I read every article, every awful comment.  I stayed up hours into the morning commenting back, defending the Zoo and trying to basically, fix stupid minds.  Much to my frustration and disappointment, the Zoo had a dark cloud above it.   Through my activity during that time, I met some wonderful People who loved Tatiana and one Lady who spearheaded raising funds for a Memorial Bench.  I was honored to be able to be a part of that, making a donation in my Cats Name.   You can visit Tatiana's Bench at the Zoo, in front of Grotto D, the home she shared with her companion Tony.

By 2009, after spending so much time talking to Keepers, I started the blog, as a way to share all the information I had learned about the wonderful Zoo Friends.    I felt like if others could be endeared to the Zoo the way I had been, then maybe some of the dark cloud would lift.   I felt that the Zoo should be a place that more People came as a place they had a connection to, rather than just some place to go.   I felt knowing about the Animals as individuals would build that connection.  Endearing People to the Animals, I think thats key to success and also to teaching People how to Respect them.

By this time, I had already formed an email correspondence with the Director and expressed how I felt,  about my efforts with my blog, many, many other suggestions for making the Zoo all it could be.  Endearing the Visitors and trying to make the Zoo "more", was not something she valued.  She listened and responded to my ideas, but not awhole lot changed.  A Keeper later told me, "they don't like People with ideas."

I love the Animals and valued them and their History so I continued to Document them until my Friend and I became victims of slander at the words of Director Peterson.   That's when my other blogs, documenting everything that goes on there came about.  My questions and concerns used to stay within the walls, but I started to learn that typical Political actions were running the Zoo and in many cases affecting the care of the Animals.   I felt like I needed to be public about that, be a voice for the Animals.  Maybe it would help, maybe it would just serve as documentation. 

I read my Goober blog now and so many of those Wonderful Precious Zoo Friends are no longer with us.  I am lucky to have known them and known about them.  Each one has touched my Soul and warmed my Heart.  Thru my Anteater blog, in addition to all the other stuff,  I have written about the new Animal additions. I had thought to write another synopsis on all the Animals.  I had also posted months ago that I would do a What's My Real Name post as everyone knows one thorn in my side is how Zoo Officials rename Animals.   Now I have a new idea.  That is this blog and its Facebook Page partner. 

I planned to launch it yesterday, New Years Day, because we have many Zoo Friends Birthdays January 1st, especially honoring our Matriarch Elly! , but with being under the weather and my internet still down at home, that didn't happen. 

We got a few more this week, so lets get started!