However, I never suspected that the new government and its 2012 budget would have such an impact of my employer’s daily business. As a result there was a lot of communication to be prepared: newsletters, FAQ’s, mailings, etc. By the time I got home in the evening, the sight of a computer screen was just too much, and I hardly had the courage to answer comments and emails and read my favourite blogs, let alone write a daily entry.
But I’m back! With a last entry on our visit to the Zoo. I still have two photos I really want to show you.
The Zoo also has a mission towards community. Not only does it offer accommodation to exotic and wild animals that have been found in miserable living conditions in private zoos and homes, it also provides training services.
Our guide, Paul, showed us into a room in which the walls were lined with glass containers. At first glance some of them looked empty except for a few dead branches. It was very warm in the room; 30°C, which is very hot when you’re wearing a winter coat! While we were peering into the glass containers, Paul explained that these were the reptiles that are used for training policemen, vets and other people who in their daily job are confronted with these animals, either in private homes, where they are kept as pets, either in exotic food containers that are shipped into Antwerp.
Despite our efforts to coax the animals out of their hiding places where they were probably napping between classes, most of the containers remained ‘lifeless’. Except for these two: a ferocious looking snake, and a lizard that was basking under a heat lamp!
Can you imagine having one of these as a pet and handling it with your bare hands or having it sitting on your lap while watching TV?
6 comments:
Good idea to train policemen to handle these creatures. Our neighbours in London were a reptile shop and it was always rather amusing to see just how nervous the police would be to enter whenever there was a breakin.
Hope your work life will finally calm down and you can get back to your evening job!
After a delay I am delighted to be back reading your wonderful posts. Keep courage!
Susan, I can understand those policemen's trepidation. I wouldn't like to walk into a store where snakes and lizards are on the loose :)
Gaynor, I really like my job, because I find it interesting. However, my 'evening' job is even nicer, simply because of all the lovely people I get to meet in blogsphere.
Louise, I'm working very hard to reach this year's objective: a total of 700 posts since my first blog entry in May 2009. 7 more to go!
Sorry I'm late to comment. I have also been busy, but I don't have to write a blog. I believe all your bloggers understand and appreciate the time you take to write such thoughtful blogs. You deserve an ocassional break!!! Updating the changes had to be a nightmare since your commuications must meet legal scrutiny. Glad you are back with us.
Thank you Bob!
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