Well, I was, I guess I’ve always been a very pragmatic person. I was studying to be a mathematician because I knew I could get a job. I didn’t ever think I could ever get a job in zoos, or I wasn’t even sure if I wanted to be in… Read More
So, you can- you a paying position for a part-time job?… Read More
Oh, yeah, part-time ’cause again, I was in school the whole time I was there. Read More
So, you’re still doing the same type of work, but yet, but now being paid?… Read More
How would you describe it?… Read More
Well, I mean, to me at that point in time, it was this big, wonderful place. It was older, the buildings were older, but they didn’t strike me at that point of being, knowing what we know today, they didn’t strike me as being inefficient or inappropriate in any way. Read More
And when they said, okay, but I didn’t get much money and I didn’t do it very often. Read More
There were a handful and they were mostly older gals that were volunteering. And then there was the zoo attendants, like Pat that were working in the children’s zoo. And then I started, I liked reptiles. I think I liked reptiles ’cause the building was nice and warm anyway, and… Read More
So, as you were traveling around to these various places they would put you, were you doing keeper jobs?… Read More
I was doing miscellaneous keeper jobs, just kinda helping the keepers, carry the bucket, tilt the load, go check this, go look at that. Read More
And what kind of zoo did you find when you first got there?… Read More
Yeah, I stayed enjoying dog shows and still just finished showing my last groups of dogs a few years ago and said, “Okay, I think now I don’t need to do this anymore, but yeah.” you mentioned that you would hang out at the lion house at Lincoln Park Zoo… Read More
Well, there was young lady that I had come to know. I don’t even know where we met at this point. I can’t even remember, but we’d known each other a long time, and her name was Susie Reef. And Susie was at the zoo and Susie said to me,… Read More
Were there are a lot of volunteers at the zoo at the time?… Read More
Well, I was just some cleanup, feed ’em, clean ’em, and then eventually show them, go to the dog shows with them on the weekends, and either just assist or if they needed me to go in and handle the dog and show the dogs for ’em. Read More
Did that carry showing the dogs carry over and as you continued your life?… Read More
Yes. Read More
Were you learning any life lessons at the kennel while you were working there that stood you in good stead?… Read More
I mean… I imagine the first life lesson that I learned, which didn’t seem to be much of a lesson at the time, but I guess it might’ve been, is that these animals are totally dependent on us. And so, doing a good job, making sure they’re properly cared for,… Read More
So what kind of jobs did you have at the kennel?… Read More