Did you grow up with the fear of lions and tigers and bears, maybe from storybooks?
Or seeing them at zoos or in the circus where you heard gasps as tigers leapt through hoops and elephants stood on small round stools doing tricks.
Now the big circuses are gone except in few places and hopefully the animals are being cared for with compassion and comfort. There were very few circus or zoo animal escapes, but when there were, the town residents were stunned with fear. They were always captured, but it shook up the place and probably gave more than a few with nightmares.
So should we be afraid of lions and tigers and bears now? Not so much, but we have reason to be very cautious around farm animals. Did you know more are killed by kicks, stings and bites?
A study published in a journal found there were more than 1,600 animal related deaths in seven years from non-venomous animals. Surprisingly the highest death rates were from mammals;, mostly from horses and cattle, cats, cows, horses and raccoons. Next on the death list is from dogs whose victims are under four years old.
As scary as this is, the most lethal attacks are from hornets, wasps and bees. Most deaths occur from anaphylaxis stings. A little awareness about what animals are in the same space as you are will prevent the one million emergency room visits because of animal encounters. I don’t see myself in an urgent care center admitting a cow gave me a concussion and I hope you don’t either.
When I was a kid, no pun intended, my family had a goat named “Nanny.” My favorite aunt was called “Nanna.” Every time Nanna came to visit, Nanny would not let her out of her car. Nanny would put her feet upon the driver’s side door and would not move unless someone would make her. She did not do that to anyone else. We never could figure it out! I still like goats but have no yard for one.
But when my grandson was born, I chose to be called “Nana,” in recalling my Nanna. No goats allowed and no smart remarks either! J
So do be good to “Bessie” the cow, “Rex” the doggie and “Hallie” the kitty and “Billy” the goat, especially when there are children about.
And now you know – be careful on the farm – they may be out to get you! J
Animals are so amazing. I’ve recently read that dogs can now be trained to sniff gluten for celiacs, cancers doctors cant detect, and of course all manner of illicit substances. I think we havent even begun to tap into the intellect of these amazing creatures.
I always liked the weird and dangerous animals, to watch only, of course. I was attacked by bulls a couple of times when I was a kid but managed to jump over the fence in time. Saw the famous Tiglon, tiger[lion mix,in Central Park. It didn’t really have any stripes.
The most dangerous animal in the jungle is the hippo; more so than lions or anyone else out there. I’ve ridden on an elephant and had no fear at all. I’ve also been with a mother cheetah and her three cubs and all were docile. Mama was purring up a storm. And you’re right. People should fear wasps and hornets. Were you aware that no zebra has ever been domesticated? Yet, when a group of them crossed the road in front of the open vehicle I was in watching them, as each one crossed it stopped in the middle of the road and turned to pose for us! So beautiful!
We had a goat that would sit on top of the dog house and if our door was not closed properly could butt her way into the house.
My son, Joe, is allergic to bee stings. We ere always in ER with him. One day, at a park, Joe took a sip out of his pop can and lo and behold there was a bee inside. By the time we got to the hospital, my little Hispanic boy look Asian.
My favorite expression from the Wizard of Oz still today is “Lions, Tigers, and Bears, oh my”
I use it constantly and change up the wording. I don’t much care for snakes, had an awful experience as an early teen with a mean teen dangling that thing over my head. Thankfully, my “summer” girlfriend slapped the snake out of his hand! There’s a reason God banished those creatures from the Garden!! One can never be too careful around animals, insects, and homosapiens.