Camera Critters - Shadow Shots - Pet Pride

Make Time for Small Reflections

If you missed it ...

my Peace Globe is in the next post

Little dalmatian
follows Molly everywhere ...
As Aloha grows

bigger and stronger
Molly likes her company
more each time they play.

Click to embiggen for better viewing
... for others participating in Camera Critters, Pet Pride,
and Shadow Shot Sunday
at Hey Harriet

A friend sent the following in email
and methinks it appropriate to share today
(even though I did so in Thursday's Peace Post
at Blog Rolls, Bling & Blurbs) as a reminder that
we can each CHOOSE how to respond
to every situation ;-)

The Real Mighty Mouse (or the Peaceful Leopard) !

Seemingly unaware of the beast towering over it, the mischievous rodent grabbed at scraps of meat thrown into the African Leopard's enclosure. But instead of pouncing on the the tiny intruder the 12-year-old leopard, called Sheena, appeared to be afraid of the daring mouse and kept her distance. At one stage she tried to nudge the mouse away with her nose, but the determined little chap carried on chewing away until he was full.

Excuse me? A perturbed Sheena the leopard looks on as a cheeky mouse nibbles her food at the Santago Rare Leopard Project in Hertfordshire...

The extraordinary scene was captured by photography student Casey Gutteridge at the Santago Rare Leopard Project in Hertfordshire. The 19-year-old, from Potters Bar, Hertfordshire, who was photographing the leopard for a course project, was astounded by the mouse's behaviour. He said: 'I have no idea where the mouse came from - he just appeared in the enclosure after the keeper had dropped in the meat for the leopard. 'He didn't take any notice of the leopard, just went straight over to the meat and started feeding himself. 'But the leopard was pretty surprised - she bent down and sniffed the mouse and flinched a bit like she was scared. 'In the meantime the mouse just carried on eating like nothing had happened.

...but even a gentle shove does not deter the little creature from getting his fill... 'It was amazing, even the keeper who had thrown the meat into the enclosure was shocked - he said he'd never seen anything like it before.' Project owner Jackie James added: 'It was so funny to see - Sheena batted the mouse a couple of times to try to get it away from her food. 'But the determined little thing took no notice and just carried on.' Sheena was brought in to the Santago Rare Leopard Project from a UK zoo when she was just four months old. She is one of 14 big cats in the private collection started by Jackie's late husband Peter in 1989.

...so the mouse continued to eat the leopard's lunch and show the leopard who was boss ... (or perhaps the lion decided to make a friend by sharing).

See my other 2009 Peace Globes at
Happily Retired Gal
Sacred Ruminations
Blog Rolls, Bling and Blurbs

Small Reflections ... Smile Back

Thought for Today
"It takes a long time to grow an old friend." John Leonard