I wrangled three lions!

It was tough, but I came out victorious!

A mall near us had a group of animals from G.W. Exotic Animals Memorial Park this week, and of course I had to go! You could get a picture taken with a baby animal or play with them in a cage. Alan and I played with three eight-week-old Barbary lions: Seth, ZooZoo and Camden. Yes, they are lions even though they have leopard spots right now. They'll fade and go away completely by the time these guys are grown.

The park cares for animals who have been illegally (and in some cases legally) bought as pets by people who then realize they can't handle them.

Often when the park is called on to rescue a female animal, she is already pregnant. Park employees tour the country with the babies until they are about ten weeks old.

By then, the babies have raised enough money by playing with people to pay for their own space in the park.
By the end of our eight minutes with the babies, two were in my lap and the third was climbing up too. (He was actually looking for a snack - the park employee explained that the three brothers sometimes try to "nurse" from each other. She told him no - he showed her his teeth - and then curled up in her lap and continued his nap. So ferocious!)