Tony

Isn't he beautiful?

And that's the Gardener's red shirt.

The day the Gardener flew home from Thailand he didn't leave until midnight.

A friend wanted him to go pet the tigers, and I persuaded him to go "for the

grandchildren's sake." When I didn't hear from him until the next day I

began to feel guilty and the "what ifs?" piled into my active mind.

But he was fine and enjoyed the experience, though not without some risk.

These big cats are raised from birth in a loving environment, are NOT declawed,

and are well fed. They sleep a lot, just like little cats, and if you pet them

according to the rules, all is well "they say."

There was a waiver to sign when they entered the area.

Then only tense moment was when the tall Gardener stumbled
near an "ambush" of the "junior high age" tigers. 

The tigers were unphased.

But the guards--they were a bit rattled.