Feeding the Cats

While Chris went back to work after his 2 days off, I (Annie) took today off. We really must, at some point, take the same time off!

Today for me was incredible. For my 40th birthday last year Chris gave me a voucher for a day at the Wildlife Heritage Foundation in Kent. It's a wonderful place, mainly closed to the public as it cares for a collection of big cats. Some are ex-zoo or ex-circus, living out a quieter end to their days in comfort, and some are active breeding couples from the endangered breeds.

They let in small numbers of people for various experiences to help raise money. You can even do a photography day there where you get really close to the cats and can photograph them without the bars getting in the way.

It wasn't a photographic day for me - it was as a keeper. I spent the day in my absolute element, preparing their food, clearing up bones from their last meals, shovelling poo and sweeping their houses out. I loved it! The cats were fabulous to watch as they waited impatiently for their food: lions, tigers, cheetahs, pumas, a jungle cat and many more. Just when I thought the day couldn't get better, the keeper enabled me to be able to say (when I never thought I would):

- I've (carefully) stroked both a lion and a tiger.
- I've (very carefully) hand fed both a lion and a tiger.

Don't worry - it was very safe. They were in the cage and I wasn't - the animals are very used to it and we were very hand-vigilant!

The blip is an old-boy lion ironically called "Tiny", tucking into our delivery. Isn't he beautiful?

For a fabulous day - thank you so much Chris. He's out tonight at an ABC concert (waaaaaay too 80s for me), so at least doesn't have to spend the whole evening being bored to tears with all of the details!