Friday, May 6, 2011

lions, tigers & anchors, oh my!


the circus has come and gone
leaving just pictures behind

and i was fortunate to learn a bit more...
about what goes on behind the scenes



amanda and i were honorary ringmasters
and we rode elephant, nina, into the circus



i was never a fan of the circus
i read so many horrible articles about animal mistreatment, etc

but i had the opportunity to meet someone who had worked for the circus as a child
he changed my mind a bit

then when the cole brother's circus came into town
amanda and i decided to attend

we had the pleasure to meet many circus members
and found out what a family business it really was

we learned that-
these acts are contracted out separately

we also learned
that animals- are not owned by the circus

instead, they are owned by the different contractors

for example, Nina here...
she is a 40 yr old Family elephant
her elephant family being with her owners for 6 generations




we also found out
Nina's handler pictured above
was born to his circus family
and knew Nina all his life

we want to thank Nina was being such a sweetheart
we are sorry we didnt have M&Ms for you!


btw... the really good photos above- are by Ted Alvis
the horrible photos, by my camera =)

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