Of course the day was grey and rainy, but the drive to Nashville was easy and uneventful. We get to the zoo, just as the rain lightly rolled in. Ugh. We had the science center as a back up plan, because in the South it rains like it doesn't like you, but when we mentioned not going to the zoo, JJ had a complete meltdown. We had made the mistake of talking about the zoo during the days leading up to the trip so in his world, it was the zoo or nothing at all.
Thankfully the rain passed over while we were eating lunch in the car and we decided to brave the zoo. We paid our entrance fees, checked in with the guest services office (because Hazel was with us) and learned of the two exhibits that Hazel was not supposed to enter (the free flying bird exhibit - probably a bad idea for a retriever... and the petting zoo) which were no big deal for us to give up and off we went.
It was muddy and humid. I think within a couple minutes our clothes were glued to us and I was grateful that I'm the only one in our family with long hair (besides Hazel of course).
There were a few moments that really stick out for me as I think back on our trip with the boys and Hazel.
1. Meerkats love Hazel.
We now call her the pied piper of meerkats. They swarmed the glass to stare at her, and as we traveled past the glass exhibit wall, they followed her. It was incredibly funny and the people around us found it funny as well, everyone got a good look at the meerkats while we were around.
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| Meerkats watching Hazel through the glass. |
2. If you want to really see the zoo animals, bring a service dog.
Meerkats weren't the only ones curious about Hazel. The tigers were particularly fascinated as well. As we walked by their enclosure the Siberian Tiger got up and followed Hazel. It kept trying to find a way across the little river in their enclosure to come closer to the fence to check out the animal that was on the outside.
3. JJ loves the merry-go-round.
JJ has never been on a carousel before. This was his first time and Hazel was a rockstar. The staff at the zoo were the most tolerant we experienced all day (don't get me started on our McDonald's trip after the zoo) and they didn't bat an eye as I took JJ and Hazel and got JJ settled on a cheetah.
And the final memory that is really no surprise to me is how much JJ loves the zoo. He has always enjoyed the zoo but this was his first time he has not been strapped into a stroller for his safety. He got to walk through the zoo with Josh and me while Elliott rode in the stroller (his legs are littler). This picture makes my heart smile, because this is why Hazel is in our family, to make moments like this possible for our boy.
One final picture for you;
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| Our Family August 2013 |
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