Lions and Tigers and Hamsters: What Animals Large and Small Taught Me About Life, Love, and Humanity

TL;DR

A veterinarian shares a captivating story from his book about an encounter with an elephant, highlighting the importance of respecting and understanding animals.

Transcript

hi i'm dr mark goldstein i'm a veterinarian and i've practiced in clinical medicine i've been a zoo director at the boston zoo and subsequently los angeles zoo and then president of the san diego humane society and spca which spanned over 40 years of my career but one of the things that i'm most proud of that i accomplished was writing my book lion... Read More

Key Insights

• 🫡 The author's experience with Donya the elephant highlights the need to respect and understand animals' behaviors and boundaries.
• 📏 Following protocols and rules when interacting with animals can prevent potentially dangerous situations.
• 🤙 The encounter with Donya solidified the author's calling to be a veterinarian and reinforced the importance of the human-animal bond.
• ❓ Animals have unique roles and instincts that deserve our admiration and appreciation.
• 📔 The book "Lions and Tigers and Hamsters" delves into the emotional and meaningful connections between humans and animals.
• 😃 Understanding the human-animal bond can bring joy, compassion, and insight into our lives.
• 🥹 The incident with Donya serves as a reminder of the author's gratitude for being alive and his awe of her strength as a protector of her herd.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is the author's background and experience in the veterinary field?

The author has worked as a veterinarian in clinical medicine, served as a zoo director at the Boston Zoo and Los Angeles Zoo, and was the president of the San Diego Humane Society and SPCA.

Q: What was the incident involving Donya the elephant?

The author disregarded the protocol of letting Donya smell his feet and casually approached her, resulting in her launching him into the air with her trunk. He narrowly escaped by poking her in the eyes and rolling off the island.

Q: What lessons did the author learn from the encounter with Donya?

The author realized the importance of never taking animals for granted and the value of following rules and protocols when interacting with them.

Q: What is the author's book, "Lions and Tigers and Hamsters," about?

The book explores the human-animal bond and shares true-life stories related to it. It offers insights into the relationship between humans and animals.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The author, a veterinarian with extensive experience, recounts an incident involving an elephant named Donya, emphasizing the significance of following protocols and respecting animals.

• The encounter with Donya taught the author two valuable lessons: never take animals for granted and the value of adhering to rules and protocols.

• The author shares his book, "Lions and Tigers and Hamsters," which explores the human-animal bond, and invites readers to join their Facebook page for more stories on the subject.