Last Week

My last week at the zoo is certainly going by fast! It's been filled with tying up loose ends, saying good-bye to animals (and people) and letting my creativity flow. I'll explain...several months ago I decided to paint the walls of the animals cages for enrichment. Apparently, my boss thought that I had some amazing talent at painting trees and wanted me to paint our brand new cart. Although I wasn't sure how much talent I really had, I took her up on the challenge and just finished the cart today. It looks pretty good, if I do say so myself! :) It's just one of the many things I had to finish before I leave.
I also went to Natural Encounters today and said good-bye to some of my old animals. I may not have worked with them for a year now, but I built a stronger history and relationship with them than the ones I work with now. It was sad to say good-bye, but fun to see that many of them still recognize me!
Tomorrow is a long awaited sedation on our 2 DeBrazza's Guenons. Diane and I have been working on training them to accept an injection and I believe they are finally ready. Ready or not, it had to be scheduled before I left! I'm fairly confidant, but still slightly nervous, because if they don't cooperate then they have to be netted or darted which is highly stressful on them. They can only be as good as their trainers, so hopefully I'll be on the ball tomorrow. This is what they look like:The staff is throwing me a luncheon tomorrow afternoon and we're all going out for drinks and fun after work on friday! I can't believe it's almost my last day! Well, I'm sure they'll be way more to come about the end (at least for now) of my zookeeping career and the beginning of management at Petco. As for now, I am just thankful that I've made so many great friends at the zoo! Life-long friends.