# Awesome Animal Experiences

Category: Animal House

## Post 1 by krisme (Ancient Zoner) on Friday, 25-Apr-2008 22:03:47

So, have any really cool or amazing animal-related stories to share? Have you encountered any interesting creatures in the wild or at a zoo, or do you have something awesome you'd like to relate about your pet or guide dog? Post them here.
Recently I had one of the coolest animal-related experiences of my life. My dad and I went on a kayak trip while we were in Florida on a lagoon. We'd barely gotten past the dock when about five or six manatees swam up to us. For those of you who've never heard of them, manatees are huge sea mammals who live in the Southern US and Caribean. They eat grass, and are very gentle and slow, essentially the cows of the sea. Well these manatees swam right up to the side of our boats. We could literally reach right out and touch them. They've been among my favorite animals for a while now so I was extremely excited. They felt sort of rough, a little like the elephants they're distantly related to. And they seemed to like having their head, flippers and bellies rubbed. They were very friendly, swimming around our boats for several minutes letting us enjoy them. Definitely the highlight of the vacation, and one of the most amazing things that has ever happened to me.

## Post 2 by Reyami (I've broken five thousand! any more awards going?) on Friday, 25-Apr-2008 23:01:09

I went to Sea world on my trip to Florida the summer after I graduated from high school, and got to pet a dolphin while there. Unfortunately, its pals were over by the people who were feeding them fish, and it eventually swam away. lol If I could swim, I'd like to swim with those beautiful creatures one day. *smile*

## Post 3 by Big Pawed Bear (letting his paws be his guide.) on Saturday, 26-Apr-2008 10:20:43

i went to sea world's discovery cove and got to get close to a dolphin in their meet the dolphin kind of experience thingy. twas briliant. i also regularly work with horses, and when you make connections with friendly or better still nervous horses, that's always fantastic. When a nervous horse comes up to you and you get nose to nose with it, you know you've made friends with that particular horse. for me, a horse resting its head on your shoulder and snuggling up to you for a hug is amazing, and though it happens often to me, as I work with horses quite a bit, whenh it does, it's always fresh and wonderful. there is one horse who before I groomed him, would come up to me for a hug before letting me do anything else. We'd stand there for ten minutes or so, the horse resting his head on my shoulder, his eyes closed, ears all floppy. is really great.

## Post 4 by Big Pawed Bear (letting his paws be his guide.) on Saturday, 26-Apr-2008 10:27:38

even though this horse now thinks getting hugs is beneath him now, kind of foals stuff, others will come for a hug. heheheh.

## Post 5 by laced-unlaced (Account disabled) on Saturday, 26-Apr-2008 16:15:34

i've swam with dolphins, and that's brilliant. :). also been for a ride across the pool with 1.
also in florida, i got to wrestle an aligator. sit on it, and pull it's mouth towards me.
it was grate!.

## Post 6 by wild orca (Zone BBS Addict) on Monday, 28-Apr-2008 20:39:54

The best thing that happened to me was at a private sankchuary. I had an oppertunity to touch all kinds of animals, but the two that stick with me the most were getting the chance to touch a mountain lion, and getting kissed by a wolf. It's something I'll never forget.

## Post 7 by Big Pawed Bear (letting his paws be his guide.) on Wednesday, 30-Apr-2008 22:22:45

touching a mountain lion must have been ausom. i got more hugs off the horses today, all very sweet n'all. it's real funny when a horse who's six foot tall at his shoulder decides he's going to rest his head on your shoulder. he's enormous, and his head is heavy! though this huge horse wanting a hug is very sweet too.