Shamu stories. . .

I seem to have this magnet that draws cashiers, or strangers in general, to talk to me. It's like I have a sign on my head or back or belly that says, "Please ask me what I think about (enter topic here). " Not that I mind at all, I do enjoy talking to the cashiers at the grocery store and getting to know them a bit.

With that said, I'm pretty opinionated when it comes to people working with wild animals. I'm all for the Save the Whales movement, don't pollute the oceans, and preventing forest fires. But I can't say that I would be willing to put my life at risk working with wild animals. They are called "wild" for a reason! The same goes for zoo's and circus workers. You think a tiger won't turn on you? I beg to differ.

Today, a sweet cashier asked me what I "thought of the Shamu tragedy". She gave me an honest smile and made eye contact with me as she waited for my answer. Then, her smile quickly faded as she waited while I searched for words to explain how I felt with out hurting her feelings about the innocent question that was asked.

She saw the "look" I gave her. And said, "oh you don't have to answer if you don't want to." I smiled and told her exactly what I thought. So here it is written out for you my friends:

1. It isn't Shamu's tragedy. It was a human life who was taken by a whale. It was her tragedy, not a whale's. And my heart and prayers go out to her family.

2. Why would you work with a whale that has killed two people?

3. If this animal has a history of violence, why not just set it free? I'm pretty sure it would survive.

4. Killer whales eat seals, their natural food source in the wild.

5. You are dressed like a seal when you wear a wet suit.

6. The whale might eat you, if you are dressed like a seal.

It just seems to me that Sea World ignored some very obvious safety concerns. Why would they continue to "work" an animal with such a violent history and put their staff at risk?

Has no one ever thought of this before?