I am so fascinated (and saddened) by the exotic animals that escaped from their “jail” in Ohio.  It sounds like most of them were killed.  It brings back memories of a couple of animal stories in the Chicago area, such as the Quizno’s coyote, Adrian and a cougar who possibly came down to Illinois from Wisconsin and ended up in a residential Chicago area, also being shot to death.

I’ve watched many TV shows about the people that own these exotic pets and they all seem a bit “off.”  Exotic animals have escaped from more than this one compound.  There was another man who realized that one or two of his large cats had escaped but he tried to deny it, and the fact that he didn’t keep good records made it sound like he truly didn’t know how many of the cats he owned.

I feel so sorry for the animals.  They are penned up and possibly abused (as it sounds like was happening in Ohio), and once they escape, whether sneaking out or being set free, they have a little freedom followed by death.  I guess that’s better than living in cages for the rest of your life.  I wonder if they knew what to do with that freedom.  One of the Ohio cats got hit by a car, so they didn’t even know to hide.  It enrages me that these people are allowed to keep these animals.

The weirdest story I’ve ever heard was the man who kept a tiger in his New York apartment.  The tiger ended up attacking him and I can’t remember if he died or survived.  Living with a tiger in an apartment is unfathomable.  This tiger was at least captured alive.

I have nightmares about stumbling upon a lion or tiger outside my house.  I love scary movies but those that show my nightmare scenario give me the chills.  My Homer Glen home is near the Big Run Wolf Ranch in Lockport, although I feel pretty safe that I won’t find a wolf in my back yard.  The ranch is open to families a few days a year and other visits are organized in advance.

I took my kids and grandkids there one summer during an open house and the regular residents are wolves, coyotes, a bear, horses, a donkey and many small animals.  During the open house we attended there was a special lady guest with other exotic animals, and they were amazing.  It was extremely hot that day and we were all uncomfortable, but I’d love to go back again in better weather.  Big Run Wolf Ranch is clean and well taken care of and seems to take care of their animals and takes in injured ones and nurses them back to health.

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