My Love for Elephants

Written By rick dolan
Rosie

Rosie

 
Opal

Opal

Where to begin?…..my love for, or perhaps I should say obsession with elephants began a few years ago after my first  up-close encounter with 2 elephants, Rosie and Opal.  They had been retired from the circus and adopted by a vet who lived in a place called Hope, Maine.  I know, how perfect is that!

I forgot how I found out about them but we took a trip up there and my life has not been the same since. Elephants  are such gentle and spiritual animals ....being in their presence changed me.
After meeting Rosie and Opal, my journey began to learn all I could learn about elephants.  So through research and reading and watching documentaries, the more I learned, the more I fell in love with them.  If we humans could model ourselves after elephants, the world would be such a different place!

Growing up, my son loved elephants.  He is a grown man now and I recently asked him what it was that he loved about elephants…..he couldn’t come up with an answer.  I know how he feels.  There is so much to say about them, it is hard to know where to begin. When he was very little he could not say "elephant" so he said "elelele".... ever since then, that is how we endearingly refer to them.

I love all animals but until I met Rosie and Opal my obsession had been with dogs.....now it is with dogs and elephants.

After our first meeting with Rosie and Opal, we were planning another trip to Hope, Maine for another visit, but there was a tragic accident and the vet who was caring for them passed.  So according to an agreement he had with the sanctuary where he got them, they had to go back.  The sanctuary is on hundreds of acres in Oklahoma so off we went to Oklahoma to visit them and other elephants at the Sanctuary. 
That may not be a big deal for most people but until that time I had only flown once in my life and that was from Boston to Washington, so it was a HUGE deal for me to fly to Oklahoma to visit them.  And I am SO glad we did!!!!  Not only did we get to visit with Rosie and Opal, but we also met several other elephants including a two week old baby elephant!  The timing could not have been more perfect!!!!  Is there anything on this earth cuter than a baby elephant?  I don't think so.

I have also adopted two elephants through the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust.  They send monthly photos and updates about how they are doing. We are also thinking about taking a trip to Thailand to visit The Elephant Nature Park, a sanctuary that rescues and rehabilitates elephants whose founder is somewhat of an elephant whisperer.   It is only elephants that would allow me to even consider a plane trip that far away.  (If you haven't already figured it out, I am not big on traveling).

I could go on and on writing about elephants but that is for a different time and place.  I mention them on my website simply to share my love for elephants and to play a small part in increasing awareness about how wonderful elephants are and how we need to help preserve this species.

The list below provides a few examples of how you can help.  Of course there is a lot more information out there, including wonderful videos on YouTube which show what loving, kind, funny and smart creatures elephants are.  (If you ever have a few minutes to spare, search for elephant videos on YouTube and prepare to experience pure joy)! 
Please join the cause….

Resources and Information

unnamed.jpg
rick dolan
Previous

Dogs & Puppy Mills