We recently spent an afternoon at the Tampa Renaissance Festival as part of celebrating my daughter-in-law’s birthday. I enjoyed the costumes, music and various live theatre- but what really held my attention was the tiger show put on by a group from the Marcan Tiger Preserve located in the Florida panhandle. Our niece, Rebecca, (out to visit us from New York on spring break) snapped this shot. Notice there are 4 color variations- all natural in the wild. (I had no idea!) These tigers were incredibly beautiful and very well behaved. The trainers were totally smooth and had perfect communication with the tigers, that they’ve raised from cubs.

I met Roxy and her trainer, Heather Dixon, RVT, recently in my jewelry booth . I was curious about this adorable, fluffy little dog wearing a black jacket with the words “Service Dog in Training” printed on it. Heather told me that Roxy was being groomed to be a service dog for Annette, a friend of Heather’s who was wheelchair bound.
Roxy is somewhat of a puppy prodigy, and in only 3 days of training, was able to navigate elevators, escalators, swivel doors and automatic doors with aplomb. And she is still a baby! (only 4 months old, this Standard Poodle will one day weigh 60 pounds.) Eventually, she will be able to open doors, pick up items and hand them to Annette, as well as walk right next to her wheelchair and be an all around great companion. I felt privileged to meet this current and future “little star”.