Unconditional love

Ahh animals! I grew up around animals, horses, dogs, chickens, hamsters, ferrets. I'm known in my group of friends to be the one that goes to a dog first instead of the room full of people. But what makes animals so special?

When you are greeted at the door by your furry family it does not matter what has happened during the day or how long you have been away, they are thrilled to see you.

I'm lucky enough to be looking after this little girl at the moment, but excited greetings are not solely exclusive to dogs. I went away a few years ago and my friend kindly offered to pop in and feed my cats. Rosie is your usual moggie who keeps herself to herself but Alfie is a totally different entity! Every time the key went in the door Alfie would run to the hallway looking for mummy. After the third visit and I still wasn't home, Alfie's shoulders visibly dropped! Luckily though he loved my friend and soon got over his disappointment with cuddles and treats.

Last month I went to visit South Lakes Safari Zoo not my first visit, and certainly not my last. The zoo has had a slightly chequered past but all efforts have been made to make it the best day out. In the last year or two it has had extensive extension work including a walk through vulture enclosure - not for the faint hearted! Prices are really reasonable and I always get the £3 wristband which allows me to hand feed the giraffes and lemurs. It is advertised as a walking safari and it truly is! I'm considering getting an annual pass as I would love to visit more often!

There are many places I've been, and many have been magical. Another one in particular was Alpaca trekking at Bells of Hemscott. What lovely gentle creatures! I could go on about my love of animals but I shall stop there for the moment!

Thanks for reading

Harriet X