Lou & Sylvia Negron, married for almost three years, were approaching their anniversary, when Lou said, “What have we here?” What can I do, he asked himself.

Lou & Sylvia Negron,Lou & Sylvia Negron,married for almost three years,married for almost three years,

were approaching their anniversary,were approaching their anniversary,when Lou said, “What have we here?”when Lou said, “What have we here?”

What can I do, he asked himselfWhat can I do, he asked himselffor my bride of almost three years?for my bride of almost three years?

A third anniversary deserves an eventA third anniversary deserves an eventto elicit hurrahs and cheers!to elicit hurrahs and cheers!

No jewelry, he knew, could catch her eyes,No jewelry, he knew, could catch her eyes,and make them shine and glow.and make them shine and glow.

Nor could fashion light the flame in her heart,Nor could fashion light the flame in her heart,and make the adrenalin flow.and make the adrenalin flow.

Rather, instead, the natural worldRather, instead, the natural worldis her greatest pleasure, it seems.is her greatest pleasure, it seems.A beautiful sunrise, a fluffy cloudA beautiful sunrise, a fluffy cloud

is sufficient to make her eyes gleam.is sufficient to make her eyes gleam.

She really loves animals, especially giraffes.She really loves animals, especially giraffes.NOW, I KNOW WHAT TO DO!NOW, I KNOW WHAT TO DO!

I’ll make arrangements to meet these crittersI’ll make arrangements to meet these crittersup close and personal at the zoo!up close and personal at the zoo!

He found, however, it wasn’t so easy.He found, however, it wasn’t so easy.No one had done this before!No one had done this before!

The giraffe was shy and none had everThe giraffe was shy and none had everbeen allowed through their very tall door.been allowed through their very tall door.

But due to the nature of this special requestBut due to the nature of this special requestand the kindness of and the kindness of ??????????????,??????????????,he got an appointment for June 21sthe got an appointment for June 21st

and here they were at last.and here they were at last.

Killian greeted them, took them in handKillian greeted them, took them in handand loaded them in her cart.and loaded them in her cart.

Ringing and jingling her little bell, Ringing and jingling her little bell, she drove them about the park.she drove them about the park.

Past the elephants and past the rhinos,Past the elephants and past the rhinos,all the same Georgia red,all the same Georgia red,

behind the scenes to the very tall barnbehind the scenes to the very tall barnwhere the giraffes all have a bed.where the giraffes all have a bed.

Here they met Tim, the keeper of giraffes,Here they met Tim, the keeper of giraffes,zebras, impalas and such.zebras, impalas and such.

He said, “We’re glad you asked to come. He said, “We’re glad you asked to come. It pleases us very much!It pleases us very much!

““For the more people learn of what we do ,For the more people learn of what we do ,the greater the degree of rapport,the greater the degree of rapport,

the more they open their heart & handthe more they open their heart & handto offer much needed support.to offer much needed support.

The barn was a vaulted cathedral,The barn was a vaulted cathedral,reminiscent, I'm sure, of the ark.reminiscent, I'm sure, of the ark.

Elongated necks require special ceilings,Elongated necks require special ceilings,the highest in the park.the highest in the park.

An impressive setup with special floorsAn impressive setup with special floors(non skid) that even trim hooves,(non skid) that even trim hooves,

with gates, wires, walls and pulleyswith gates, wires, walls and pulleysto facilitate trouble-free moves.to facilitate trouble-free moves.

But enough technology, however impressive,But enough technology, however impressive,and on to where it’s at.and on to where it’s at.

The animals are out in the compoundThe animals are out in the compoundwhich simulates their natural habitat.which simulates their natural habitat.

So what they found upon the bermSo what they found upon the bermwas a welcome committee, of a sort.was a welcome committee, of a sort.

Knobby heads, big eyes and long lashesKnobby heads, big eyes and long lasheschecking out Petunia’s report.checking out Petunia’s report.

Petunia was designated greeterPetunia was designated greeteralong with Edie & mate.along with Edie & mate.

She left right away to tell the others:She left right away to tell the others:““There’s a stranger at our gate!”There’s a stranger at our gate!”

But Sylvia & Lou But Sylvia & Lou (the strangers at the gate)(the strangers at the gate)were not astounded at all.were not astounded at all.

For all God’s creatures are kindred spirits,For all God’s creatures are kindred spirits,no matter how great or small.no matter how great or small.

A pleasant surprise to Tim & Killian,A pleasant surprise to Tim & Killian,unusual to say the least,unusual to say the least,

For these are among the shyest animalsFor these are among the shyest animalsand not your raging beasts.and not your raging beasts.

Rema, especially, the male giraffe,Rema, especially, the male giraffe,was overwhelmed by curiosity.was overwhelmed by curiosity.He either liked them right awayHe either liked them right away

or considered them quite an atrocity.or considered them quite an atrocity.

He could only stare as he ate his lunch,He could only stare as he ate his lunch,a concoction of alfalfa and hay.a concoction of alfalfa and hay.a stranger had never come so close.a stranger had never come so close.

A very unusual day!A very unusual day!

After taking their fill, eating & staring,After taking their fill, eating & staring,they wandered away to chat.they wandered away to chat.

Around the corner in privacy they asked:Around the corner in privacy they asked:““Now, what do you think of thatNow, what do you think of that?”?”

Back around the corner, a long-necked peek,Back around the corner, a long-necked peek,both had to make a quick check.both had to make a quick check.

““Petunia,” said Rema, they’re not so bad.”Petunia,” said Rema, they’re not so bad.”Said she, Said she, ““They have no neck! “They have no neck! “

““Now, please be niceNow, please be nice, “ said Rema softly, “ said Rema softlyas he stroked her long silky neck.as he stroked her long silky neck.

No matter they’re weird and oddly shaped,No matter they’re weird and oddly shaped,Tim’s friends are due respect.”Tim’s friends are due respect.”

““Let’s go round again and show our face;Let’s go round again and show our face;We don’t have to stay that long.We don’t have to stay that long.

I’m sure very soon Tim will take them away,I’m sure very soon Tim will take them away,back to where they belong.”back to where they belong.”

This they did with polite attentionThis they did with polite attentionas Tim discoursed on their care.as Tim discoursed on their care.

Sylvia & Lou were greatly impressedSylvia & Lou were greatly impressedwith all he had to share.with all he had to share.

They found that the zooThey found that the zoowas more than exhibitswas more than exhibits

to make people laugh and smile.to make people laugh and smile.They‘re not just thereThey‘re not just thereto brighten your dayto brighten your day

and entertain you for a while.and entertain you for a while.

Though this they doThough this they dowithout even trying,without even trying,

they’re serious about the business at hand.they’re serious about the business at hand.They’re there to ensureThey’re there to ensureGod’s creatures survive,God’s creatures survive,

no matter the actions of man.no matter the actions of man.

They heard first hand of the problemsThey heard first hand of the problemsinherent with running a zoo,inherent with running a zoo,

especially when land and funds are limited,especially when land and funds are limited,and you have to just make do.and you have to just make do.

They heard of the grand contributionsThey heard of the grand contributionsof large corporations like “Ford”of large corporations like “Ford”and also the lesser contributors,and also the lesser contributors,

who give without thought of reward.who give without thought of reward.

All in all, a fruitful day,All in all, a fruitful day,for any and all concerned.for any and all concerned.

Both man and animal should benefitBoth man and animal should benefitfrom the experience and lessons learned.from the experience and lessons learned.

The giraffes had made new friends;The giraffes had made new friends;they handled the attention well.they handled the attention well.

Tim and Killian were proudTim and Killian were proud;;their faces told the tale. their faces told the tale.

Sylvia & Lou were happy,Sylvia & Lou were happy,a day well spent, they thought.a day well spent, they thought.

A more unforgettable anniversary giftA more unforgettable anniversary giftmoney could not have bought.money could not have bought.

““We hope to do this again,” they said.We hope to do this again,” they said.It was quite a success, it seems.It was quite a success, it seems.

They all slept extra well that nightThey all slept extra well that nightwith peaceful, pleasant dreams.with peaceful, pleasant dreams.

Thanks for the visitThanks for the visit..Sylvia & Lou NegronSylvia & Lou Negron

June 21, 1996June 21, 1996