Where The Wild Things Should Be!

I have always believed that wild animals belong in the wild. I also believe that pit bulls, chimpanzees, and other potentially vicious animals should not be household pets (Those of you who know me know that I am not an animal person--especially cats--but this is a different issue). We often hear of pit bulls attacking and killing babies. The "tiger trainer" in Las Vegas was viciously attacked by one of the tigers.

Yesterday, I saw the interview with the lady, Charla, who had been attacked by her friend's chimpanzee. This chimp had lived with the other lady and from all appearances, had been treated like a "member of the family." Charla, called by her friend to help her capture the escaped chimpanzee, was viciously attacked. Her face was torn off,her arms and fingers looked as if they had been "in a food grinder." She has undergone over seven months of treatment and yesterday was the first time she showed her face in public. In the hospital, she always wore a hat and veil. It was an amazing visual and a courageous act. Interestingly enough, the more you listened to her, the visual image became less shocking.

The spirit of this woman is incredible. She is looking beyond her current condition and still believes that who she is internally is what is most important. This seems to have been a year where people continue to surmount what seems like insurmountable challenges. She was asked if she worries about what people think about her face. Her response suggested that that is not her problem, but theirs. She understands that she is the same person she was before the attack, she just "looks different."

Once again, we are reminded of what is really important--we must always call on that human spirit, remain strong, keep strong spiritual ties and cultivate friends who will also support us in times of need. This lady's daughter has remained faithful to her mother. I'm not sure about the owner of the chimp--her lawyer issued a statement saying she hoped for a speedy recovery.Charla is suing her friend and former boss, for millions. She said she "knew" the chimp for years and was always afraid of him.

If human beings can turn on one another, surely wilds things can also turn. Keep the wild things at bay, human and otherwise.