creature_keeper

( Private )

I would never do half the things I'm suggesting to myself. Really.

I got the saddest news this week: Our giraffe died. And he wasn't even here at home, he was on loan to a zoo in the Panhandle for breeding. It's terrible! He had at least eight or nine years left and he was just a beautiful creature.

( Elliot )

I don't suppose anyone would want a snake?

Oh! I completely forgot to say! Kujo and I won money in a game show during the last seven. We were a shoo-in because the game was pets doing tricks and of course, Kujo is utterly brilliant. I almost felt bad for the other dog. But anyway! Since we won, I bought him a brand new collar and kerchief!

"Fantastic!" the host called as the crowd applauded. "What a great showing from both our competitors. Come on! Let's here it for Jack and Spot and Josephine and Kujo!"

As the group cheered louder, Josephine grinned and gave Kujo a good scratch on his belly as the host explained round two.

"Now we're going to make things a bit tougher for our perfect pooches here. In this round, each dog will compete seperately. They'll have 30 seconds to to bring slippers back to their master, picking up five points for each slipper brought back and 10 bonus points for each matching pair. If we're still tied after that, each canine will run the hurdles, starting at one point for the lowest one, and six points for the highest. If a hurdle gets knocked over, it is out of play. Are you ready, competitors?"

Josephine bent over Kujo and whispered in his ear.

"Knock 'em dead."

I think the new president should take his daughters to a shelter to get a puppy.

( Andre )

Oh, it's gotten so cold! Please make sure that you bring your pets inside or that they have really, really good shelter. I've already taken into two stray kitties because they looked so miserable!

Josephine was sitting at the back of the zoo's small auditorium during the monthly meeting. She wasn't really listening now that the business portion was done, she was too worried about Simon and all the other people who'd gone missing.

She was slouched down in her seat, nibbling at the skin next to her thumbnail as various monthly awards and commendations were given out. It didn't matter, she never got any.

Suddenly, the man two seats away reached over and poked her gently. "Jo, that was you."

"Huh?" she asked, startled.

"They called your name!"

"Oh. Oh. I." She got up nervously and pasted a smile on her face as she walked down the aisle to a smattering of applause.

"Ah there she is!" exclaimed the public relations officer into the microphone. She then went on to explain that Jo was getting the "most improved" award for her work in the special veterinary program. Jo took the small plaque with a bemused smile and went to make her escape but the PR woman stopped her.

"Josephine, stay here, you've got something else too: The employee of the month for December!" This got more applause and someone whistled their approval. There was a shout from one of the male entertainers about the elf costume, and Jo flushed as she received another plaque. This one had a twin that would be displayed in the main office.

"And, Jo, since you're here, why don't you help me out? Last but not least, our drawing for the monthly prize package." She swirled some tickets in a fish bowl and then held the bowl out for Josephine. Jo juggled the plaques and then drew out a ticket and handed it over.

The PR rep read it, chuckled and shook her head. "Someone's having a good day! This month's winner is ... Josephine!"

The crowd laughed and cheered and for once, Jo felt like they were laughing with her, not at her.

Oh, I haven't been to a party in a very long time. I think maybe I drank a little too much. I can't feel my nose! But it's a good way to start the new year!

And I look good! That makes it even better!

Sometimes I wonder if the animals know what's going on or what's going to happen. They were all so quiet and ... peaceful today even after I closed the door again. Which I really didn't want to do but I had to eventually.

She'd spent all day shopping at the Christmas market. Even if a booth didn't have something she wanted, she stopped and looked because it was all so pretty. She touched and admired and talked and chatted and she was just about to leave, arms heaped with gifts for people, when she saw one more booth tucked in a corner.

She looked in and, to her surprise, saw the most beautifully-crafted elf costume she'd ever seen. Handmade, hand-embroidered, hand ... everything. She was sure it wasn't going to be her size. Nothing ever was. But the lady in the booth insisted she try it on.

When she stepped out of the tiny changing room and in front of the mirror, she gasped in delight. It was perfect. The colors were just right for her. The skirt made her legs look long and shapely and the cleverly placed darts made her look like she had the perfect hour-glass figure. The woman heaped compliment after compliment on her, saying she looked more like a fairy princess than an elf. She added a hat and little booties, a cape and muff for when it got cold. The more she added, the more Josephine worried she wouldn't be able to afford it all.

She nearly fainted when the woman told her just to take it. That after seeing her in it, she couldn't bear to let anyone else have it. They bundled it all up into a pretty package and she left the booth, grinning from ear to ear.

Best seven ever.

Oh dear. The zoo is having a holiday party for children (well, and their parents) and they want me to dress up like an elf with some of the other female workers.

Oh my goodness! The cubs are out! People can see them now!

I was so worried that maybe the penguins has escaped from the zoo that I didn't even notice that I was a girl again! I think I like being a girl better.

Oh! And all the penguins are here. I don't know why people keep seeing them. If you do, try to catch one -- be careful! -- and bring it here and we'll check them for ID and see if we can figure out who they belong to or where they came from!

I'm going to try to see if I can leave a trail of fish and squid to trap them.

I don't want to get fired and I can't keep calling in sick! What should I do?

Oh. Please help?

Goodness. Kujo certainly earned his name.

( Harry Potter )

Oh! I forgot to say: The zoo is doing ZooBoo!

It starts today. You can come in after dark!
Come see what lurks after dark at and there are five haunted houses and spooky trails. Of if you have kids there free unlimited rides (including the Gator Falls! Water flume ride in the dark!) They've got two new haunts this year. One is called Project Alien and the other Sinister Shadows!

( Harry Potter )