Animal Blogging With Dill The Cat: THE ARK KEEPERS – On Animal Blogging With Dill The Cat

THE ARK KEEPERS – On Animal Blogging With Dill The Cat

ENGAGE. EXPLORE. ENTERTAIN. EDUCATE. ENTHUSE.

Organizations whose mission is to enhance the quality of life for the kingdom of animals extends to saving lives, that expands to saving species are truly modern day arks and so it is their humans are The Ark Keepers. An Ark Keeper at Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance, T, (we didn't ask if we could use his name) told us, "Sometimes we become their parents."

Our National Mammal

Majestic. Strong. Beautiful. Enduring.

DENVER ZOO CHANGED ITS NAME

Just as my parents always took me to Denver Zoo when I was a kid from one generation to the next, I took Mason when he was a kid. Upon hearing the news that Denver Zoo changed its name Mason and I reflected on we remembered when…

When I was a kid on the front page of the Rocky Mountain Newspaper, I recall a picture (in black and white) of Denver Zoo’s medical staff surrounding the examination table looking down at an adult polar bear prepped for surgery and just as the massive bear, groggy from anesthesia raised its head, inches away from the staff their eyes reasonably so wide, the photographer took the picture right before the ice bear laid its head down asleep.

Back then Denver Zoo was free, and the entrance gate was located near the tennis ball courtyard. When Denver Zoo announced it would charge for entry the public resentment was LOUD. Denver Zoo had to educate the public about the cost to run the zoo and the money was also needed to fulfill visions of its future and that is why and when free days were created.

I took Mason to the zoo long before he could see over the ticket counter. On one visit an employee suggested we should purchase a membership given how often we came and that was the first day we became formal members of Denver Zoo.

And I say formal members because in spirit decades before the concept of membership existed, we were always from one generation to the next, Denver Zoo supporters.

I have no way of knowing but I believe Mason is a member of a distinctive group, a person who for most of their life, has been a Denver Zoo member.

Where the tigers are now, once there were white wolves. What is now Predator Ridge for lions, was once home for the zebras. Generations ago where pony rides for kids was located when I was a kid, became the location for elephant rides when Mason was a kid and today it is known as Down Under, the home for the zoo's Australian animals. Where Primate Panorama is located was once a children's zoo. And ohhhh...it was such a beautiful experience to walk among the free roaming peacocks of the zoo. Mason has a picture of a white peacock, who years ago, resided at Denver Zoo. Over the years Denver Zoo's landscape we can speak of what was, the present, and read articles of its future.

One day zoo employees were driving around warning visitors to take shelter in the nearest building as news reports came in about a possible tornado. Mason and I were closest to Tropical Discovery, the reptile house.

Hmmm...to be in a reptile house during a tornado.

We can laugh about it now because we did not go in, the tornado never came, and we made it home safely.

One day Mason received a phone call from Denver Zoo and after the call ended, we just sat in silent awe believing the unbelievable. Mason plus one, me, were invited to have a private tour of two animals of the zoo, the okapis from Zaire and the hippopotamus from Africa.

It was a beautiful, profoundly so, never to forget experience. And so profound, it was humbling to witness endangered animals so close and be educated from zookeepers what their duties entailed. When we returned home and spoke about our experience, we realized Denver Zoo was and had always been a modern day ark and as such zookeepers were/are modern day ark keepers.

Denver Zoo, fluid as water, forever evolving, never coming to a conclusion for its impact expands globally.

Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance new name defines the word visionaries for it speaks of its history and future bonded by its present.

Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance

It’s more than a new name it is an earned name.

The Ark Animal Photography by Mason is my back-up blog and primarying I will continue to post on Dill, my home blog. The Ark Animal Photography by Mason

BEAUTIFUL STELLA

There is history between Stella, a jaguar who once resided at Denver Zoo and Mason's photography. Back then Mason simply enjoyed taking pictures of animals and as a lifelong member of Denver Zoo Conservation Allegiance it was, and still is, his perfect harmony.

The picture taken of Stella is one of many that encouraged and inspired Mason to become self-taught in photography with animals as his principal subjects that eventually became the path to creating Animal Blogging With Dill The Cat.

When Mason and I talked about creating a website to highlight his photography with his love of animals, not knowing what we were doing, neither of us had no idea where this journey was headed and yet at the same time, we were never lost.

The first comment Dill received came from India and over the years so many countries came to Dill we looked at maps to see where viewers were located. To the viewers of Dill you are so much more; each of you are a part of the landscape of Mason's journey and humbly, we say, "Thank you."💜

STOCKING STUFFERS FOR ANIMALS
Dollar plus stores have entire aisles devoted to pet products that would be great for stocking stuffers. In addition, other items in their stores can also make thoughtful gifts such as, picture frames, canisters for dry pet food or catnip, and balls to play with. A welcome mat under food dishes and we found laser pens for chasing spots, and even shopping bags for ferrets and cats. Online there are healthy pet treats recipes, and for the cold treats add an ice tray. A few dollars can fill a stocking and of course, they have stockings too.

Beautiful Words

DENVER MUSEUM OF NATURE AND SCIENCE

As members of Denver Museum of Nature and Science we can attest that the museum transcends into a virtual library. There isn't another place where so many things that are truly beyond the scope of expectations of ever witnessing in a lifetime are located in one place. Walking through this virtual library, it really isn't a place one visits but rather one experience.

ANIMALS OF THE RAINFOREST

Membership Connects People To Their Passions

One of the many member perks we enjoy about Denver Museum of Nature and Science is having the opportunity to view special exhibits before the public viewing and experiencing ANIMAL OF THE RAINFOREST that included live animals presented in a virtual forest environment was fascinating and educational.

Below are a few of the pictures Mason took at the Denver Museum Of Nature And Science - Animals Of The Rainforest. The following quote sets the tone at the start of the experience, speaks to why this exhibit is so important.

"At first I thought I was fighting to save rubber trees, then I thought I was fighting to save the Amazon Rainforest. Now I realize I am fighting for Humanity." Charles Mendes

A Zoo Has Four Kinds Of Animals
When visiting a zoo, a modern day ark, a person will see four kinds of animals.

1) There will be animals commonly known but they will likely have characteristics that are surprising, such as vultures can be white, zebras can have brown fur, and lions can have spots.

2) There will be animals one have seen in the media but never in person.

3) There will be animals a person never knew existed.

4) The fourth kind of animal is often mistaken for an animal a person knows, thus believing it is one kind of animal when it is something very different and this is important because in order to save animals, we need to be able to identify them.

A pig, a porcupine, a capybara. This animal has been called many names, but it is a chacoan peccary, a new member of four, now home at Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance.

TWO RIVERS, ONE OCEAN

No one can speak of the totality of their own history and as such every generation builds upon the last and in doing so even before we are born the foundation of our footsteps, yet to be taken, have already been pathed. But ever constant there isn’t a passage in history that humans can speak of that does not include animals. Periodically on Animal Blogging With Dill The Cat, like two rivers flowing into the ocean, we will note our collective history.

Purina's Purple Leash Project.

DILL'S BOOK REVIEWS

ENTHUSE.ENGAGE.EDUCATE.ENTERTAIN.EXPLORE.

BOOKS BOOKMARK OUR LIVES

People who love books can relate books to a place and time in their lives giving books the special irony that books become bookmarks of our lives. On Dill, again, we are going to review books about animals and the environment as it pertains to the kingdom of animals.

Because we will only recommend books that we are willing to purchase, we will not accept free books. Books that we do not keep after reviewing will be given to a Free Library.

As an author or a reader, if you believe as we do, a room is not empty if there is a book in it, if you have a book you would like to recommend, please drop us a comment. 📚

by Anna Kang and Christopher Weyant

You are (Not) Small is cute enough to make a person think of this book in July for a Christmas gift. It’s about the perceptions we have of others. While reading You Are (Not) Small it is easy to slip into the characters’ voices because it’s so engaging. The illustrations, that are adorable, marry the words. If the cover makes you smile, the contents will make you laugh.📚

LIVING JEWELS by Poul Beckmann

Imagine beetles, one percent of an inch up to four inches in size then imagine viewing images of their intricate patterns, bold and beautiful colors enlarged to the size of a man's hands. Poul Beckman's book, such a beautiful book, LIVING JEWELS is aptly named as it expresses through images all that we see is not all that exist. LIVING JEWELS is a celebration for our eyes and as in all things beautiful it is befitting for people of all ages. https://www.living-jewels.com/

From Mason's photography collection, Different Kind Of Calendar

HIGHLIGHTS FROM MASON'S PHOTOGRAPHY

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How to save money buying parrot fish

This is a picture of one of my three blood parrot fish. I have seen online blood parrot fish costing around thirty dollars and more per fish based on the same size as mine but my three fish in total did not cost over twenty dollars. If you are interested in owning blood parrots here is my tip. Purchase them as babies. They have a grey, white, and black splattered pattern and cost far less than the more mature fish they quickly grow into. They live long. My parrots are over ten years old. They are not aggressive but mine prefer to live without other fish. They have a large cave and when someone enters our home, they all rush inside of it as they do not like other people too.

ANIMAL SHELTERS ARE A DIFFERENT KIND OF DIAMOND STORE

We deeply respect and recognized the agony not only to relinquish your animal family members but to never know what becomes of them. It is a hellish grief because when a person or animal we love leave our lives and we do not know what becomes of them that is very different kind of grief, an unhealed one. One of our goals at Animal Blogging With Dill The Cat is to communicate many animals in shelters reach shore. They find new homes, sometimes not easy but they adjust, and are doing fine, as they become members of new families. Like many homes our animal family members come from animal shelters, a different kind of diamond store.

The Denver Zoo -A Centennial History

Authored by Carolyn & Don Etter, commissioned by the Denver Zoological Foundation, Cover to Cover Designed, designed by Jody Chapel- Roberts Rinehart Publisher

A copy of The Denver Zoo -A Centennial History was
gifted to S. Mason from Rachel, Matt, and Connie from Denver Zoo. As we looked through the pages at the stunning photographs, reading random passages along the way, each passage a gem of accounts, we were also in awe of such a
complete history of the Denver Zoo in one book. The more we read, the past becoming new knowledge, it was like being introduced to the Denver Zoo for the first time. Such irony--from the beginning the Denver Zoo seedlings were from visionaries and we suspect those visionaries would be pleasantly and proudly surprised if they could see the Denver Zoo today. Reading The Denver Zoo-ACentennial History is a rich experience. A beautiful book, a beautiful gifting,
thank you Matt, Connie, and Rachel, three very special people.

THE LAST WINTER

WHY BROWN & BLACK BEARS CAN’T ALWAYS BE DEFINED BY THEIR COLORS

It may seem reasonable by their names, a brown bear, a black bear one could tell them apart but not when one considers black bears can be dark brown, cinnamon, and even white; just as brown bears (commonly called grizzlies because they can have lighter colored tips on their fur) can be different shades of brown, blond, and even black. And if that is not confusing enough at the same time some black and brown bears can have a mixture of both colors. So how does one tell them apart?

Black bears tend to be smaller than brown bears. Brown bears have a hump on their shoulders where black bears do not, and black bears have bigger ears that sit straight up. But perhaps the easiest way to tell these bears apart is their claws. Black bears claws are short enough not to be visible and a brown bear claws are long enough you most likely will never forget seeing them.

Free to come and go but they stay

Sometimes by design or a location that is natural to animals that already exist where there are zoos, within them, are free roaming animals. These animals can come and go but they stay and live at zoos but not within a habitat. Not only are there free roaming animals but there can be several kinds at one zoo. At the Denver Zoo, as of this writing, there are peacocks, chipmunks, and rabbits. The Henry Doorly Zoo in Nebraska has wild roaming turkeys, and the Phoenix Zoo have lizards. Years ago at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado Springs they had free roaming deer. In the Indianapolis Zoo they have free roaming raccoons. Some people were surprised and thought the raccoons escaped their habitats. I took this photograph right before this raccoon ran back into the bushes.

Emeralds. Pearls. Rubies. Or any jewel. Any corvette, any color or a ghost Rolls Royce. A harp, grand piano, a cello or any music instrument. Velvet. Lace. Silk. Crystal. A bar of gold. Or a red rose. Anything looks better if placed next to a black cat. Universally beautiful and individually unique there could be thirty black cats in a room and a guardian of one could easily find theirs. Although NATIONAL BLACK CAT DAY is one day, Animal Blogging With Dill The Cat feels it is important enough to remind people 365 days a year. (the black cat image comes from online)

NATIONAL BLACK CAT DAY

Panther. He was the most intelligent cat we ever had. He would step on the keypad and look at the computer screen. When we would turn on the wall light switch he would look upward to the light fixture hanging from the ceiling. He got it. When doors were closed he would stand on his hind legs and with his front paws try to turn the doorknob. In the US and UK there is a NATIONAL BLACK CAT DAY. On Animal Blogging With Dill The Cat we will show our support by bringing awareness to this very important day-365 days of the year.

MEMBERSHIP

There are organizations whose mission include to ensure, enhance, the quality of life for animals. It can be a zoo, an aquarium, or even an organization specific to a particular animal. They all have one thing in common. These organizations offer membership to those who share their passion and beliefs. Consider a membership that is supportive of animals today. The next time you visit a facility where membership is offered, considered the money spent on a ticket for one visit can go towards a year long membership instead!
　

BEAUTIFUL WORDS

Some words are so beautiful they give us a reason to pause, reflect, and exhale. Such words speak to the stories of our lives. For us there are four special words that are beautiful together when driving miles of snow covered tree-lined blocks, and the title of my photography--On Our Way Home. From Jill, the beautiful word--Content. From the Denver Zoo we were inspired to include two words--support and dedication. Here are some more beautiful words that speak to the stories of our lives. Benign. Shelter. Guardian. Eventually. Retrospect. Passion. Forward. Different. Books. Serenity. Laughter. Animals. Believe. Dreams. Us. Balance. Found. A Raft. Change. Home. Recovery. Roar. Heroes. What words are beautiful to you?

IN MEMORY OF YOSHI

One of the best things about recommending books is the ability to share the experience with others. Reading and recommending Robert Smith's books from his series Petectives, based on his family two cats, Yoshi and Gatsby, have been a joy. We were sadden to read of Yoshi's passing. Little Free Libraries are boxes shaped like libraries, placed on posts, and filled with books in communities all over the globe. There, children can take a book to read then return it so it can be read by others. On Dill's Blue Page is more information about Little Free Library. We purchased a paper copy of Petectives to donate to a Little Free Library so others can know the joy of reading about Yoshi and Gatsby.