Reason #17: No matter what you are doing, the spontaneous spotting of an animal brings happiness.

As you might know, I am not a huge fan of surprises.  I like to know what is going on.  Some call it controlling, but being sprung upon last minute doesn't work well for me.  I am a big fan of non-scheduled days where the kids and I can hang in our PJs all morning until we decide what to do.  But that gets all trumped when the doorbell rings and I am in my PJs, glasses on, hair askew and not ready for company!  Is it bad that this happened today at 12 noon?  We ate breakfast and lunch in our PJs!!  It's funny, though, that when we (my family) are surprised by animals venturing into our day, we get so excited.  We welcome the surprise, without question.  This happened on many occasions on our vacation and we all loved it!


Store owner's dog napping in the window.
The kids were so excited by this! 

They insisted they needed new shoes just to go in! :)

While at Epcot, we spotted a number of bunnies
randomly running through the park.  Again, the kids
squealed with delight.  I was like, "Um, we are at Disney World!!"



We met a little girl and her Mom at the airport
picking up their new mini dachshund puppy.
Soooo cute and entertained the girls for hours!

Lucy, the mini piebald dachshund

Running through the birds on the beach never got old!

Reason #16: People watching is just sometimes too painful.

People watching can be fun....if you are at a setting other than a theme/amusement park.  I just returned from an amazing vacation with my family.  We spent a few whirl wind days at Disney World followed by a week at Siesta Key for much needed rest, relaxation and beach bliss!  The Disney experience lived up to all of my expectations: magical, exciting, entertaining, crowded, and as my kids said, "so much fun".  We hit all four parks in three days and loved every minute except for some of the people watching.  It is a place, I found, that people's behavior can really surprise you.  With temperatures in the upper 90s and a heat index over 100 degrees, high humidity, minimal shade, tired toddlers, seniors in scooters, and long lines, well, let's just say, the animals at Animal Kingdom were better behaved.  We found Animal Kingdom to be awesome!!  Some call it a glorified zoo...this I can not understand.  If you are a big animal person, you will be in your glory.  I'll take the animal watching any day over some of the crazy people watching!

*to be respectful and avoid a lawsuit, I did not photograph faces, or photograph some of the less humorous images ie: foul language, meltdowns-by children and adults, physical abuse and inappropriate lack of clothing coverage)!! ;)


Majestic and mesmerizing! We were in total awe!

 

We were also in awe of the number of people

who wore jeans!  Did they not get the heat memo??



The Kilimanjaro Safari was a hit!





I have a new respect for Fruit Bats.
I could have watched them all day...so cool!



Not cool.



The Tree of Life.
Amazing carvings of different animals and bugs
as the trunk of the tree.

An example of how beautiful the carvings are!

Yeah, I don't know. It might be lightweight but
you still stick to it in 100 degree heat.

There are so many more beautiful images to share but will save them for another time! :)

People watching vs. animal watching?   I think the animals take this one!

Reason #15: The constant companionship...the quiet kind.

You know when you want company but don't want the constant chatter? Well animals fit the bill nicely. Gardening for me is one of those times.  I lucked out this afternoon when my kids and their friends (a party of 10) decided to relocate from my yard to a neighbors'.  My girl Wrigley stayed back and hung out with me and we had a great, peaceful time. :)

Reason #14: They don't give you a guilt trip (at least not in words)!!

We are gearing up for our summer family vacation and I have not had any anxiety about it until we were at PetSmart stocking up on pet supplies for the pet sitter.  I spent WAY too much time in there trying to talk myself down from over-buying "stuff" for my pets to fix the guilt I feel for leaving them! I know they will be in the best hands possible but when a pet becomes part of your family, not including them in something is tough for me.  I especially feel sad to leave the newest member of the family, our kitten, Timone.  We have not parted since we rescued him at under 1 pound and he slept on a hot water bottle.  However, my kids have absolutely NO trouble telling me how they NEED all this new stuff for vacation: new swimsuit, shoes, hair do-dads, sunglasses, and toys.  I even almost got persuaded to buy a Nintendo DS on sale for my youngest!  Huh?!?  And yet, all my furry children need are some food, water, potty locale, some attention and belly rubs.  And they don't do the "awww" when you don't buy them an Icee at Target!!! 
Man, I'm mean!  :)

I just went out to get the mail, kids!  Talk about guilt trip!
(Sorry the resolution is rough, it's through the window screen)

Reason #13: Animals go with the flow.

School is out!!!  I am ready for the lazy mornings, not coming up with new and interesting cold lunches, not assisting with school projects and homework, being able to stay up late, catching fireflies, making s'mores, working in the garden, reading a book while at the pool, and catching up with friends.  However, some can not transition as well.  I have already heard friends complain that their kids are bored!  Bored?!  On the first day?!  I put those kiddos of mine right to work when they started doing the blank wander throughout the house.  "Here's a project.   Let's have you clean out your craft closet and get ready for vacation and the summer."  After a few deep sighs, they got into it and of course, so did our kitten.  Where there are new events going on, you can be sure to see one or all of our pets in the mix and checking out the activities...without complaining!




Timone is overseeing the
progress!

 

Don't throw out this cool binder!

This looks like a great hiding space!

Reason #12: Their past is not their life story.

I am guilty of this!  My mother to this day says I am/was such a picky eater because I had colic as a newborn! I do not appear to have missed a meal.  :)  I have blamed my parent's divorce for reasons why I had trouble dating and yet I have a wonderful husband!!  I have heard friends of mine blame their health issues today because of what their parents fed them 30 years ago!  Crazy, isn't it?  We can find a million excuses for how we act or behave due to something that occurred years ago.  With animals, not so much.  My kitten was thrown away like garbage, riddled with fleas to the point he was anemic and yet he is the most friendly and lovable pet I have ever had.  

This is a wonderful story from our favorite animal shelter.  A pit-bull mix was treated horrifically and left for dead and still when the shelter picked her up she wagged her tail and was ready to be loved!  I ran in their first 5k to support the shelter and all the great things they do.  It's a must-read.

Animal House's Dash for Dogs Helping Save Animals

huntley.patch.com

Inaugural fundraiser assists no-kill shelter in saving animals.


I am runner 138.  Good thing this photo was
taken at the beginning...I looked beet red
after from the 90 degree heat!



Cool product!!! Cat-Library™

I LOVE to read (when I have the time) and really want this cool bookshelf!!  Even the cat in the promo looks like my kitten!!  It was meant to be!  (at least I will try that angle with the hubby) :)