Director of Landscape Tending Department/Ministry of Environment of the Slovak Republic
Today's Date: 14 Feb 2007
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
I born as the son one from the forest managers and all my life is with the interaction with an animal and nature.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
That is midland of the South Slovakia.
Now? The same place.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
I have more favorite animals - from insects, frogs, fish, birds and mammalia, but one was my nickname - hedgehog... I have the same animus.
4. What do you think is the greatest environmental challenge facing us now, and what do you think will be the greatest challenge in the future?
That is a Climate Change and big number diminishing species. In the future is the global interactions between species and ecosystems / start now.../
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
We need not only protection and conservation of the nature, we need better control of the challenges in the nature.
Thanks to my sister Michelle McIlroy for designing the logo!
February 14, 2007
David Rovere
Tierra del Volcan, Ecuador
Today's Date: 13 Feb 2007
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
For me the pink dolphin in amazon in Ecuador
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Yes the vilcamamba zone in the south Of country
Now? Zancudococha in the jungle
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
Pink dolphin because its hard to exist for a dolphin and it´s not common it´s a survivor
4. What do you think is the greatest environmental challenge facing us now, and what do you think will be the greatest challenge in the future?
Preserve the jungle because is the last chance for sweet water
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Jungle in Brazil , Bolivia , Peru , Colombia an Ecuador , and also the strow (paramo) in Ecuador , Perú and Chile
Today's Date: 13 Feb 2007
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
For me the pink dolphin in amazon in Ecuador
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Yes the vilcamamba zone in the south Of country
Now? Zancudococha in the jungle
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
Pink dolphin because its hard to exist for a dolphin and it´s not common it´s a survivor
4. What do you think is the greatest environmental challenge facing us now, and what do you think will be the greatest challenge in the future?
Preserve the jungle because is the last chance for sweet water
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Jungle in Brazil , Bolivia , Peru , Colombia an Ecuador , and also the strow (paramo) in Ecuador , Perú and Chile
Eric Stiles
Vice President for Conservation and Stewardship, New Jersey Audubon Society
Today's Date: 12 Feb 2007
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
[no answer given]
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Yes – saltmarsh coastal bays and Pinelands rivers
Now? Terrace Pond
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
Bald Eagle – story of how dedicated volunteers can restore endangered species.
4. What do you think is the greatest environmental challenge facing us now, and what do you think will be the greatest challenge in the future?
Ensuring decisions we make today include preserving natural heritage for tomorrow
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Lead through offering a vision of success.
Today's Date: 12 Feb 2007
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
[no answer given]
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Yes – saltmarsh coastal bays and Pinelands rivers
Now? Terrace Pond
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
Bald Eagle – story of how dedicated volunteers can restore endangered species.
4. What do you think is the greatest environmental challenge facing us now, and what do you think will be the greatest challenge in the future?
Ensuring decisions we make today include preserving natural heritage for tomorrow
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Lead through offering a vision of success.
Joe Liebezeit
Associate Conservation Biologist, Wildlife Conservation Society
Today's Date: 2/12/07
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
That is a tough question. I've worked out in the field in many different places as a field biologist over the past 15 years. I would say that seeing wolves in Yellowstone for the first time a few years ago was a pretty amazing (dare I say "religious") experience. Birding in Panama and seeing over 20 species of bird in one tree was another one. Many more, I could go on indefinitely.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Growing up in suburban New Jersey I had to make due with what few patches of undeveloped lands were left in the surrounding area. I remember exploring the creek that ran through our town by walking up it for a mile or two. I would also go birding in the remnant patches of woods near my home and sometimes see some neat migratory birds. Of course, going on vacation and getting up to Vermont and more rural places were great. I would explore the surrounding woods wherever we stayed.
Now? I still get to go out in the field once a year. I lead projects up on the North Slope of Alaska studying the potential impact of oil development on the nest survivorship of tundra-nesting birds. I work out of a remote camp near Teshekpuk Lake for 2 months during this time. It is an amazing place, over 50 miles from the nearest road. It is a place where we get to witness the migration of barren-ground caribou and see the occasionally grizzly bear.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
Once again, that is a very difficult question. That is like asking "What is your favorite song?” There are so many! I am definitely partial to birds and always have been an avid birder. In particular, I am fascinated by migratory birds, like warblers, vireos, and tanagers that spend their summers in North America, but return to the New World tropics every winter.
4. What do you think is the greatest environmental challenge facing us now, and what do you think will be the greatest challenge in the future?
Both now and in the future: 1. Global Climate Change and 2. Natural Resource Extraction
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Don't take it for granted.
Today's Date: 2/12/07
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
That is a tough question. I've worked out in the field in many different places as a field biologist over the past 15 years. I would say that seeing wolves in Yellowstone for the first time a few years ago was a pretty amazing (dare I say "religious") experience. Birding in Panama and seeing over 20 species of bird in one tree was another one. Many more, I could go on indefinitely.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Growing up in suburban New Jersey I had to make due with what few patches of undeveloped lands were left in the surrounding area. I remember exploring the creek that ran through our town by walking up it for a mile or two. I would also go birding in the remnant patches of woods near my home and sometimes see some neat migratory birds. Of course, going on vacation and getting up to Vermont and more rural places were great. I would explore the surrounding woods wherever we stayed.
Now? I still get to go out in the field once a year. I lead projects up on the North Slope of Alaska studying the potential impact of oil development on the nest survivorship of tundra-nesting birds. I work out of a remote camp near Teshekpuk Lake for 2 months during this time. It is an amazing place, over 50 miles from the nearest road. It is a place where we get to witness the migration of barren-ground caribou and see the occasionally grizzly bear.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
Once again, that is a very difficult question. That is like asking "What is your favorite song?” There are so many! I am definitely partial to birds and always have been an avid birder. In particular, I am fascinated by migratory birds, like warblers, vireos, and tanagers that spend their summers in North America, but return to the New World tropics every winter.
4. What do you think is the greatest environmental challenge facing us now, and what do you think will be the greatest challenge in the future?
Both now and in the future: 1. Global Climate Change and 2. Natural Resource Extraction
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Don't take it for granted.
Jean-Christophe Vié, DVM, Ph.D.
Deputy Head, Species Programme, IUCN - The World Conservation Union
Today's Date: 12 Feb 2007
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
Working on marine turtles. They make the link between land and oceans. They are easy to see and the best support for communication and education about the environment. You can have 20 fascinated kids around a turtle on a beach listening to you for 30 minutes...
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
I dreamt alot about the East African Parks
Now? East African Parks and the Amazon forest.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
Many but I used to be a primatologist and therefore white faced sakis, the subject of my thesis, come on top of the list.
4. What do you think is the greatest environmental challenge facing us now, and what do you think will be the greatest challenge in the future?
Human population growth and associated consumption modes and climate change
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Save as much as you can (water, energy..), do not buy useless things (big cars, ...), think twice before buying (do you really need this? What does the producer do for the environment?... ) and in general reduce consumption.
Today's Date: 12 Feb 2007
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
Working on marine turtles. They make the link between land and oceans. They are easy to see and the best support for communication and education about the environment. You can have 20 fascinated kids around a turtle on a beach listening to you for 30 minutes...
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
I dreamt alot about the East African Parks
Now? East African Parks and the Amazon forest.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
Many but I used to be a primatologist and therefore white faced sakis, the subject of my thesis, come on top of the list.
4. What do you think is the greatest environmental challenge facing us now, and what do you think will be the greatest challenge in the future?
Human population growth and associated consumption modes and climate change
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Save as much as you can (water, energy..), do not buy useless things (big cars, ...), think twice before buying (do you really need this? What does the producer do for the environment?... ) and in general reduce consumption.
Rodney Bone
Website Coordinator, Government of Saint Helena
Today's Date: 12 February 2007
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
When I am away from people, artificial sounds and scents I am relaxed and at peace I can think more clearly
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
By a pond in rutland UK
Now? camping at Sandy Bay, Saint Helena Island
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
Donkeys because they are friendly, and strong and I believe that they have a fine sense of direction, if one was lost and injured then they are strong enough to get one home
4. What do you think is the greatest environmental challenge facing us now, and what do you think will be the greatest challenge in the future?
now we are creating rubbish tips which although they are covered still contribute bad or even poisonous substances which eventually end up in the water table the challenge is in getting people to see that utilising these tips will have a bad effect for the future
in the future we need to find alternatives for our basic power requirements
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Recycle everything that you possibly can
Today's Date: 12 February 2007
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
When I am away from people, artificial sounds and scents I am relaxed and at peace I can think more clearly
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
By a pond in rutland UK
Now? camping at Sandy Bay, Saint Helena Island
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
Donkeys because they are friendly, and strong and I believe that they have a fine sense of direction, if one was lost and injured then they are strong enough to get one home
4. What do you think is the greatest environmental challenge facing us now, and what do you think will be the greatest challenge in the future?
now we are creating rubbish tips which although they are covered still contribute bad or even poisonous substances which eventually end up in the water table the challenge is in getting people to see that utilising these tips will have a bad effect for the future
in the future we need to find alternatives for our basic power requirements
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Recycle everything that you possibly can
Grace Pam
A.P. Leventis Ornithologial Research Institute, Nigeria.
Today’s Date: 12-02-2007
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
when i was a little girl, i loved spending time outdoors watching ants go to and fro. i would imagine what they were up to and wonder what it would be like understanding their 'language'.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Yes. my favourite spot was just outside our home, anywhere i could find ants busy with the days work.
Now? Now, i spend some time watching birds. i guess i did not get any guidance with the ants and no mentor so i lost it along the way. Now as an ornithologist, i go for birds.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
for me, i still think i am down with the ants. they amaze me with their high level of organization. with probably no leader, they go about their work diligently and orientate quite effectively.
4. What do you think is the greatest environmental challenge facing us now, and what do you think will be the greatest challenge in the future?
human population explosion which is the major reason why we need more of the things that make life more comfortable but also do damage to the environment.
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
take care of it as though it were the only thing you had as an inheritance for your dear children. actually, that’s what it is.
Today’s Date: 12-02-2007
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
when i was a little girl, i loved spending time outdoors watching ants go to and fro. i would imagine what they were up to and wonder what it would be like understanding their 'language'.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Yes. my favourite spot was just outside our home, anywhere i could find ants busy with the days work.
Now? Now, i spend some time watching birds. i guess i did not get any guidance with the ants and no mentor so i lost it along the way. Now as an ornithologist, i go for birds.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
for me, i still think i am down with the ants. they amaze me with their high level of organization. with probably no leader, they go about their work diligently and orientate quite effectively.
4. What do you think is the greatest environmental challenge facing us now, and what do you think will be the greatest challenge in the future?
human population explosion which is the major reason why we need more of the things that make life more comfortable but also do damage to the environment.
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
take care of it as though it were the only thing you had as an inheritance for your dear children. actually, that’s what it is.
Monina Gilbey
Project Officer, Environment Protection and Heritage Council, Australia
Today's Date: 12 February 2007
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
When I was young, my dad would take me and my brother outside in the evening to watch spiders weaving webs. He would also stand us near a window during thunderstorms so that we could watch the lightning. These small acts helped me to learn that I should not fear nature, but respect it and appreciate its beauty.
(My mother was an ardent recycler of everything - particularly water. Growing up in such a "green" household, it's no wonder I have a passion to care for the environment).
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Kangaroo Island, South Australia.
Now? Kangaroo Island, South Australia.. I still go to Kangaroo Island for holidays now. It has beautiful, clean beaches with pure water and white sand. There is a treasure trove of wildlife: fairy penguins, wallabies, kangaroos and seals - to name a few. If you ever visit South Australia, you must go to Kangaroo Island - it is a very special place.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
I love so many animals that it is very hard to choose just one. My favourite is the gecko. I sometimes find them under pot plants in my garden - occasionally they venture into our house. I love watching them climbing walls - it is truly amazing.
I have started a garden design business, which concentrates on designing with local plant species. As I love geckos so much, the business has a green gecko for its logo.
4. What do you think is the greatest environmental challenge facing us now, and what do you think will be the greatest challenge in the future?
Climate change. One of the greatest challenges is convincing those who aren't "green" to make changes to their lives e.g. consume less resources, drive their car less etc.
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
We only have one earth and we need somewhere to live.Think about the effect of your actions on this planet and what changes you can make to your local environment. Calculate your ecological footprint and try to start reducing your footprint today. http://www.earthday.net/footprint/index.asp
Today's Date: 12 February 2007
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
When I was young, my dad would take me and my brother outside in the evening to watch spiders weaving webs. He would also stand us near a window during thunderstorms so that we could watch the lightning. These small acts helped me to learn that I should not fear nature, but respect it and appreciate its beauty.
(My mother was an ardent recycler of everything - particularly water. Growing up in such a "green" household, it's no wonder I have a passion to care for the environment).
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Kangaroo Island, South Australia.
Now? Kangaroo Island, South Australia.. I still go to Kangaroo Island for holidays now. It has beautiful, clean beaches with pure water and white sand. There is a treasure trove of wildlife: fairy penguins, wallabies, kangaroos and seals - to name a few. If you ever visit South Australia, you must go to Kangaroo Island - it is a very special place.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
I love so many animals that it is very hard to choose just one. My favourite is the gecko. I sometimes find them under pot plants in my garden - occasionally they venture into our house. I love watching them climbing walls - it is truly amazing.
I have started a garden design business, which concentrates on designing with local plant species. As I love geckos so much, the business has a green gecko for its logo.
4. What do you think is the greatest environmental challenge facing us now, and what do you think will be the greatest challenge in the future?
Climate change. One of the greatest challenges is convincing those who aren't "green" to make changes to their lives e.g. consume less resources, drive their car less etc.
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
We only have one earth and we need somewhere to live.Think about the effect of your actions on this planet and what changes you can make to your local environment. Calculate your ecological footprint and try to start reducing your footprint today. http://www.earthday.net/footprint/index.asp
Oberon Zell-Ravenheart
Headmaster, Grey School of Wizardry; President, TheaGenesis LLC; Primate, Church of All Worlds
Today's Date: 2/10/07
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
Wow--so many! All my life I've had intense interactions with many and various animals--both wild and domestic. All of them have powerfully affected me.
I have raised wild babies: bats, owls, deer, pigs, possums...
I have had several boas and pythons that have had significant impacts on my life.
I have had cats who were so intelligent that they were fully members of the family.
I have hiked and camped out in the wilderness in many places throughout the country and elsewhere, in places as diverse as Hawaii and Alaska. I lived 8 years in a wilderness homesteading community of 5,600 acres, where each family had to create an entire homestead and life in the woods, with no electricity, phone, TV, or even radio.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Sure--the woods behind our home.
Now? The 55-acre parcel of land called Annwfn that is adjacent to the parcel mentioned above where I lived for so long.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
This is tough, as I have so many favorites! But if I have to pick just one, it would have to be a fruit bat/flying fox. I've had pet bats since I was a kid, and I just think they're incredibly cool. And a fruit bat--as a real genuine "flying monkey"--is certainly the very coolest! If I lived in Australia, I would definitely have one!
4. What do you think is the greatest environmental challenge facing us now, and what do you think will be the greatest challenge in the future?
Global warming and the attendant rise of sea levels--today and tomorrow.
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Love your Mother!
Today's Date: 2/10/07
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
Wow--so many! All my life I've had intense interactions with many and various animals--both wild and domestic. All of them have powerfully affected me.
I have raised wild babies: bats, owls, deer, pigs, possums...
I have had several boas and pythons that have had significant impacts on my life.
I have had cats who were so intelligent that they were fully members of the family.
I have hiked and camped out in the wilderness in many places throughout the country and elsewhere, in places as diverse as Hawaii and Alaska. I lived 8 years in a wilderness homesteading community of 5,600 acres, where each family had to create an entire homestead and life in the woods, with no electricity, phone, TV, or even radio.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Sure--the woods behind our home.
Now? The 55-acre parcel of land called Annwfn that is adjacent to the parcel mentioned above where I lived for so long.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
This is tough, as I have so many favorites! But if I have to pick just one, it would have to be a fruit bat/flying fox. I've had pet bats since I was a kid, and I just think they're incredibly cool. And a fruit bat--as a real genuine "flying monkey"--is certainly the very coolest! If I lived in Australia, I would definitely have one!
4. What do you think is the greatest environmental challenge facing us now, and what do you think will be the greatest challenge in the future?
Global warming and the attendant rise of sea levels--today and tomorrow.
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
Love your Mother!
Kathryn Ramirez
private citizen
Today's Date: February 10, 2007
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
I am passionate about animals. If I were unable to have two or three pets at any given time, I would be positively miserable.
I had a cat, Josie that I'd got as a stray when it was fairly young. I think her parents must have been pretty wild, because she never, in all the time I had her, ever warmed up to people the way other cats I'd had did. I had her for 18 years! During that time, I tried and tried to get her to want to sit on my lap or even next to me on the couch. I would have been happy if she'd rubbed up against my legs and purred. Now I've had enough cats to know that most of them are, by nature, somewhat aloof and independent. The cat I have now is super loving and friendly, but she's still a cat, if you know what I mean. But Josie was the epitome of aloof. I never felt an ounce of love from her.
Well, during Josie's last few months, she had a lot of health problems. We even ended up having to have one of her legs amputated. It cost us a small fortune, but the vet assured us that she could still have a quality life with just three legs. We were amazed at how well she adapted. Finally, though, she stopped eating and started losing a lot of weight. When we took her in to the vet that time, she said that Josie's condition was terminal. We made the hard decision to put her to sleep. We decided to stay with her when the vet gave her the injection, even though we didn't know whether it would give her any comfort at all to have us there. After all, she didn't seem to have found much comfort in having lived with us for 18 years.
Anyway, the vet let her lie down on a towel on the examining table and gave her the shot. She told us it would be painless and would just take a few minutes to end Josie's life. I stood next to her and petted her the whole time. I had expected that she would just close her eyes and eventually stop breathing. But what actually happened astonished me. She was in a position where she really couldn't see me; I was kind of behind her. A few seconds after the vet injected her, she suddenly craned her neck so that she would be able to see me. I don't know why she wanted to see me. She seemed to be completely at peace and not suffering at all. But then she did something she had not done in 18 years. She looked directly into my eyes (kind of the way a dog will often do). And when she did, I saw an understanding and a love that I had never seen in her eyes before. We just looked into each other's eyes and I felt so strongly that she was thinking, "Oh, now I see! You really loved me, didn't you? All those years... And now you're helping me to move on. Thank you. I love you, too, you know." People who have never seen that look will balk, but I know Josie's spirit was about to leave her body and I believe God allowed us a brief moment of connection we'd never had before. I will never forget it as long as I live.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Yes, I loved Bryce Canyon in southern Utah. I think it's one of the most beautiful places on earth.
Now? Bryce Canyon -- still.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
Oh, man, I just don't know. I seriously just love them all. Most of my own personal experience is with cats and dogs, though, so I guess that's what my answer would have to be.
4. What do you think is the greatest environmental challenge facing us now, and what do you think will be the greatest challenge in the future?
Probably global warming, now and in the future.
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
I think we recognize that God gave us dominion over the earth, He meant that He was entrusting it to our care. That means He expects us to take care of it and not destroy it. I realize that's pretty vague, and I'm sorry. It's the best I can do.
Today's Date: February 10, 2007
1. What interaction with an animal and/or nature in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
I am passionate about animals. If I were unable to have two or three pets at any given time, I would be positively miserable.
I had a cat, Josie that I'd got as a stray when it was fairly young. I think her parents must have been pretty wild, because she never, in all the time I had her, ever warmed up to people the way other cats I'd had did. I had her for 18 years! During that time, I tried and tried to get her to want to sit on my lap or even next to me on the couch. I would have been happy if she'd rubbed up against my legs and purred. Now I've had enough cats to know that most of them are, by nature, somewhat aloof and independent. The cat I have now is super loving and friendly, but she's still a cat, if you know what I mean. But Josie was the epitome of aloof. I never felt an ounce of love from her.
Well, during Josie's last few months, she had a lot of health problems. We even ended up having to have one of her legs amputated. It cost us a small fortune, but the vet assured us that she could still have a quality life with just three legs. We were amazed at how well she adapted. Finally, though, she stopped eating and started losing a lot of weight. When we took her in to the vet that time, she said that Josie's condition was terminal. We made the hard decision to put her to sleep. We decided to stay with her when the vet gave her the injection, even though we didn't know whether it would give her any comfort at all to have us there. After all, she didn't seem to have found much comfort in having lived with us for 18 years.
Anyway, the vet let her lie down on a towel on the examining table and gave her the shot. She told us it would be painless and would just take a few minutes to end Josie's life. I stood next to her and petted her the whole time. I had expected that she would just close her eyes and eventually stop breathing. But what actually happened astonished me. She was in a position where she really couldn't see me; I was kind of behind her. A few seconds after the vet injected her, she suddenly craned her neck so that she would be able to see me. I don't know why she wanted to see me. She seemed to be completely at peace and not suffering at all. But then she did something she had not done in 18 years. She looked directly into my eyes (kind of the way a dog will often do). And when she did, I saw an understanding and a love that I had never seen in her eyes before. We just looked into each other's eyes and I felt so strongly that she was thinking, "Oh, now I see! You really loved me, didn't you? All those years... And now you're helping me to move on. Thank you. I love you, too, you know." People who have never seen that look will balk, but I know Josie's spirit was about to leave her body and I believe God allowed us a brief moment of connection we'd never had before. I will never forget it as long as I live.
2. Did you have a favorite place in the great outdoors during your childhood?
Yes, I loved Bryce Canyon in southern Utah. I think it's one of the most beautiful places on earth.
Now? Bryce Canyon -- still.
3. As a former zookeeper, I would love to know what your favorite animal is, and why?
Oh, man, I just don't know. I seriously just love them all. Most of my own personal experience is with cats and dogs, though, so I guess that's what my answer would have to be.
4. What do you think is the greatest environmental challenge facing us now, and what do you think will be the greatest challenge in the future?
Probably global warming, now and in the future.
5. If you could give everyone one piece of advice regarding the environment and our natural resources, what would it be?
I think we recognize that God gave us dominion over the earth, He meant that He was entrusting it to our care. That means He expects us to take care of it and not destroy it. I realize that's pretty vague, and I'm sorry. It's the best I can do.
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