WILD ADVENTURE

This afternoon I attended a nice luncheon at Jungle Island, a popular Miami tourist attraction featuring exotic wildlife (not to be confused with South Beach, which also features exotic wildlife, but over there it is wearing thongs). I was a little nervous, because a while back a major tiger got loose on Jungle Island, and I wrote a column about it, and it occurred to me that the Jungle Island folks might not be pleased to see me. I was totally wrong. Not only were they extremely hospitable, but they permitted me to hold a baby tiger named Kumari. In fact, they insisted. I was thrilled, of course.

Kumari was pretty relaxed at first, but after a minute or so she decided it was time to move on, which is when I realized that although she is no larger than a medium dog, she is as strong as an NFL linebacker. So I turned her over to Judi.

(That's Judi on the left.) Anyway, it was a fun wildlife encounter, and I am really, really glad that the Jungle Island folks did not also want me to meet one of their snakes.

Footnote: When I got home, my dog, Lucy, went insane from smelling the scent of tiger on my hands. She's been following me around the house, sniffing me intently and giving me this look that says, "Where the HELL have you been?"

Comments

[Loudmouth]

You came back just in time. The revolution was brewing.

[nursecindy]

I don't think Judi gets paid enough. The tiger is very cute however and I would have loved holding her. Lucy is probably worried you're going to bring a cat home after smelling Kumuri on your clothes.

[bonmot]

I like my kumuri with a little soy sauce and green onion.

[jon]

I was beginning to think that Mrs. Blog had kidnapped you to get all the holiday shopping done!

[Layzeeboy]

Why does Dave look so much more scared than judi? And why did I have to spend most of my day actually working? At least shoot us a productivity enhancer or something if you're going to do that.

[Steve Haller]

Did you get to pat a cheetah?

I'm SOOOOO jealous...

[The Dread Pirate Chris]

That can't be Dave. Dave would wear a blue shirt, not white.

And judi - nice pu... cute cat.

[Elmo]

What is that AWFUL PURPLE THING AROUND YOUR NECK???

GET it OFFFF!

[Will (the other one)]

Layzeeboy, consider your productivity enhanced, Monty Python style.

[hogsatemysister]

You are both very brave. Kumara are by far the most dangerous vegetable.

http://bit.ly/hJSSNo

[bonmot]

Bitches always go insane when they catch the scent of strange pussy.

Whaaaat?

[ScottMGS]

Cougar meets tiger.

[Novanglus]

Ahhhhh.....

[Coconuts]

Here, kitty kitty...

[O the U(manity)]

That's judi on the left?

... um ... wuz gonna say sumthin' cute or witty ... but I respect BSJ too much to mention that ... please ignore this post, judi ...

[Jeff Meyerson]

What's up with the tie, Dave? Seriously. A tie to go to Jungle Island?

You do look very nice, I hasted to add.

[Loudmouth]

They look real cute when you get them, then bam, they're hunting you in the back yard.

[Annie Where-but-here]

Loudmouth is of course referring to cougars.

[Suzy Q]

I got to meet, up close and personal, one of their snakes the first (and last) time I was there. I would much rather have met the kitten.

[padraig]

That is one fine sleek feline.

And the tiger judi's holding is cute, too.

[Wingnut]

Dave, my wife does the same thing if she thinks she detects the scent of a different, uh, feline. That's why I like to keep different bottles of perfume in my truck. After 25 years of marriage, you go with what works for you.

[KrisL]

I got to pet (but not hold) 2 baby tigers at the West Coast Game Park. Very cool.

http://www.gameparksafari.com/

Amazing how much baby tigers are like very large kittens. Very cute!