I love animals, always have. Furry, feathered, scaly – doesn’t matter.
My friend Sue, whose background is in wild animal care, arranged a personal tour of her friend’s wild animal sanctuary, Zoo To You, situated a very short distance from the airport in Paso Robles. I get to fly there – double score! So we hop in the airplane on a beautiful sunny Monday for a 75-minute flight into the heart of Central California wine country. It’s 80 degrees with light winds – perfect.
 | |
| Me & my marmoset pal |
We arrive as David (the owner/CEO) is leading a group of Moorpark College students on a tour of the compound. They're learning about primates, so we get out the marmoset and take turns carrying him around on our shoulders.
Then Sue detours me toward our own private tour, since she knows these animals and they know her.
Then Sue detours me toward our own private tour, since she knows these animals and they know her.
 |
| Dennis Hopper loves Sue! |
We visit our kangaroo friend Dennis Hopper, whom Sue helped raise, and his wallaby friends. We wander over to the birds to see beautiful bald eagles, macaws, hawks, vultures, and a kookaburra.
 | |
| David with Cody |
I’m captivated by all the big cats: the Asian fishing cat, African serval, lynx, and two sleek and muscular mountain lions (a.k.a. cougars/ pumas/panthers) who purr SO loud!
 | |
| Asian fishing cat |
 | |
| proper lemur greeting - my sinuses are now clean! |
 |
| Me & Bacari |
After the group leaves, it’s just the three of us and now the fun begins! We go get Bacari, a black-and-white ruffed lemur, for some playtime and a quick walk. He’s sweet and gentle, and honored me with the proper lemur introduction of the tongue way up my nose!
 | |
| Maya the spider monkey |
 |
| Fig Newtons for Sierra |
We meet Maya, a spider monkey with a sad story – she grew up in a cage so small that her bones permanently malformed and she cannot fully extend any of her limbs. She’s happy and well cared for now, quite the charmer.
We saved the biggest for last…
Sierra is a cinnamon-colored American black bear. She is truly a gentle giant with a weakness for Fig Newtons and grapes. She tenderly nibbled the cookies out of my fingers and let me touch her paws and hug her.
 |
| Bear hug! |
 | |
| beautiful Jasmine |
Jasmine is a spunky Bengal tiger. Earlier I had watched her romping like a kitten in the water, chuffing her greeting to us (a friendly sound made by forcing air out of her nose), and rubbing her cheek on the cage so we’d scratch her. David brought her out and she ate raw eggs out of my hands. Her tongue is sandpapery just like a housecat!
I’m still on an unbelievable high after such an amazing day.
