I can honestly say that Friday was one of the best days of my life. My family and I started off the morning with a sparkling wine breakfast and later in the day they took me to our local Chimp Haven and Lion Park. I was humbled and in awe of the beautiful creatures. All the animals were rescued from horrible circumstances and are living out the rest of their lives in captivity. It might sound cruel to have them in captivity, but I think it is better than the alternative of ending up on someone’s wall. Not to mention that these days lions end up in canning facilities, where they are bred and killed for sport.
When people hear I'm from South Africa, they always ask me if lions and all kinds of wild animals run around in our streets. Of course I roll my eyes, but I understand to some people South Africa is still a very mysterious place. To answer the question, no, wild animals do not run around in our streets. South Africa is modern and these days the only wild animals you will see in their natural element might be a few snakes or cockroaches and birds of course. If you want to see things like "The Big Five" you will have to go to a wildlife reserve or game farm.
On another note, I worked until the early morning hours the whole weekend and the past two days to finish my last portion of editing, which I completed this morning. I am so relieved. The next changes I make will hopefully come because an editor found faults for me to fix. I’m officially done butchering my novel. It only took me six years to get to this stage. Thank you to everyone who helped and encouraged me to get here.
I think you're right, Murees. The animals are better off in captivity where they're safe and well cared for.
ReplyDeleteThanks for showing us the pictures, too. Congratulations on all your editing work. I know your efforts will make your story shine.
Thank you Deanie. I'm glad you enjoyed the pictures.
DeleteYeay! I love hearing about good days, especially when you bring LIONS into it!
ReplyDeleteI want to come visit you in south Africa, I'm not going to lie. While I didn't assume that you constantly had wild animals roaming around the streets, I have been curious about how often you see them.
South Africa will be happy to have you. I live in the Western Cape, almost in suburbia and don't get to see many wild animals in their element, mostly birds. But I can't speak for the other parts of South Africa. Certain farms have cheetahs roaming wild, so I guess they get to see lots of wildlife.
DeleteIt is great to hear that you had a good time when you were here. I have yet to see all the big five up close and personal.
ReplyDeleteHow marvellous that you finally completed the editing! Well done!
ReplyDeleteThank you! It is such a relief to get to this stage.
DeleteRaising them for sport - that's so wrong.
ReplyDeletePeople asking if you have lions roaming the streets is like asking if we have mountain lions and bears digging through our garbage cans. Although it is possible, especially in areas where cities are encroaching on the wild, it doesn't happen here.
I'm not a big fan of hunting anything for sport, unless it's cake. People do get attacked by lions, but that's because they enter the reserves and game farms illegally.Totally their own fault.
DeleteIt's so sad that some of the animals are raised to be killed. Heartbreaking that so many have suffered and need to be in a safe facility.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
I agree Janie. Sometimes I really wish we could all get along. If you could see the eyes of those lions and chimpanzees you would feel like crying. They just want to find some kind of peace.
DeleteFree is best but protected is sometimes necessary.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on finishing that editing.
Thank you! I am happy to have gotten it to this stage.
DeleteIt's good to know that those animals were rescued; it always warms my heart to hear about good people who save, protect, and take good care of animals, especially the ones who need it most. It also bothers me when other people hunt animals not for survival or even to control overpopulation but merely for sport, though I know that some (though not necessarily all) hunters would probably take issue with me just for saying that.
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean. I'm expecting a few hate-mails for even mentioning canning and for hating the idea of hunting for fun. But having seen animals hunted has scarred me for life. Thank you for your kind words.
DeleteCongratulations on finishing the novel.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I appreciate the support.
DeleteCongrats on completing the editing! It's a huge hurdle, so pat yourself on the back, my friend.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I feel so nervous though.
DeleteIt's heartbreaking to think what kinds of situations those beautiful creatures must've been in to end up in captivity, but I'm so glad that they got to be saved - I met a girl from South Africa once, and her family owns a lion/big cat sanctuary, and she loved talking about her 'cubs'! And I loved hearing about them!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on finishing your editing :D! That really is fantastic news! I wish you all the luck in the world with the next part of your journey!!
Thank you! It is a relief, but I am really scared too.
DeleteCongratulations on finishing that! I love sanctuaries. We have a couple near here, where the animals were rescued from such cruelty (and often just ignorance). We have a lot of wild animals around here, like mountain lions, bears, coyotes, and bobcats. Plus deer and rabbits and the ones we see everywhere in the area. I love having wildlife so close. Not so much the rattlesnakes.
ReplyDeleteI agree, there is something comforting about being near sanctuaries. I can go back and visit the animals over and over. I'm sorry, but I hate snakes. They freak me out. I would run screaming.
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