Next to the house where I grew up was a lot where people would through their trash.  At night, just about the time when I would get settled into bed, I could hear some strange noises outside my window.  Daisy my donkey, would start to get restless so I knew that another animal must be nearby.  Was it a stray dog, or a jackal?  Was it a leopard?  Was it a mongoose?  What was it?  It was definitely a hungry hyena!  They would come to sift through the trash and pick out any bits of garbage they may find.  Although they have a wierd shaped body, and not the most beautiful face, they sure do a good job at trash cleanup!  I suppose that is why they have the strongest jaw of any African animal.

Sandy was very sick and scared when she was found in the bush at only two weeks old.  My Dad brought Sandy home all cuddled up in his arms. We fed Sandy warm milk from a bottle. Before long she was much better. She slept in bed with my brother and I. Some of my favorite memories are when she would suck on my pinky or thumb. She would also climb on my back to suck my hair! At three months of age, she became to large to stay in the house and my Dad insisted she learn to take care of herself. Finally, she set off with a male lion who kept coming around roaring for her to join him. I’ll never forget my adventures of raising Sandy, my very own African lion!