Are You an Animal Lover, Too?
As an animal lover, I’m always in awe of the dedication and love my husband, David and I, get from our dogs Diego and Frida every day. Diego has been with us 12 years, and Frida 14 years. We wouldn't trade that time for anything.
Diego helps put my head in the right place to write Voices from the Mist when he props his sweet face on my leg. I take occasional breaks to give him a belly rub because they’re his favorite. When he’s ready, he’ll lie on the floor belly up until I notice his not-too-subtle signal. He’s always patient, never pushy.
Do you have a furry friend at home? What do you love about the animals in your life? I'd love to hear your stories. You can always write me back here. We share select follower's testimonials on my website, if you feel inspired to write.
Dian Fossey loved her pets too. Even though she was never allowed to have one after she was devastated when her goldfish died when she was a child, she made up for it later in Africa. Her first pets were a couple of chickens whom she named Lucy and Dezi. She had to escape with her life from Congolese soldiers and was unable to rescue them.
After founding Karisoke, she adopted a poacher's dog and named her Cindy. Cindy was a loyal companion to Dian for many years and even helped foster infant gorillas Coco and Pucker. Cindy never learned to bark, so it was hilarious when the two rambunctious baby gorillas chased her around camp without impunity.
Dian had a lonely childhood, which may explain why she developed such a strong bond with the mountain gorillas. They became her true family. She observed them for nearly two decades in their natural habitat. She was the first to develop methods to habituate them to her presence without disturbing them, an essential element to studying animal behavior. The first moment Peanuts reached out to touch Dian's hand, her world changed forever.
When former poacher turned farmer, Pierre Seburikoko was asked, if Dian were alive today, what would you want to say to her? He said, “I would like to thank her. Dian is our hero because she trained gorillas not to fear people, and now these animals bring great value to our country. We have built schools, roads, and hospitals with the money tourists pay to visit the gorillas.”
Dian's hard work and dedication made it possible for humans to contact gorillas peacefully. We have Dian to thank for saving the species from extinction. She inspired Rwandans and organizations like the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International to carry on her work and dedicate themselves to their survival.
Be Your Own Hero
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