CIRCUS DIARIES

Happy Thanksgiving!!!.....(Warning graphic photos)

2009-11-26T08:14:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving Yall!
Be thankful for everything
I am truly thankful for much today
Too much to list
But the top of the lists looks like this
The man upstairs and his son Jesus
My AWESOME family
My great animals
The fact I have a job (That I LOVE)
Our incredible friends (That includes the blog readership)
The health of my family and my animals
And so much more I can't even list it all here

I really can't complain
And we all should complain less then we do

As a special treat for thanksgiving the cats are feasting on
Fresh wild boars
A neighbor of ours who is an avid hunter and fan of the cats
Shot two the other day and delivered them
I spent the morning butchering and feeding it
I would like to think the cats are "Thankful" for it
But thankfulness is prolly not an emotion they could even begin to grasp
I will say I was THANKFUL to feed it to them
As they seemed to very much enjoy eating it
Here are a few pics of Thanksgiving at the McCoy Stable
They are graphic
But so is alot of life...

Heading up to The Brown's house in a bit
For a feast fit for kings no doubt!
I will get some shots of a more civilized meal while we are there...

"We're all waiting in the dugout, thinkin we should pitch,
How you gonna throw a shut out, if all you do is bitch,
I got nothing to lose, nothing to gain,
Like a one way ticket to cruise in the passing lane,
BUT I CAN"T COMPLAIN"
T. Snider

New Digs...

2009-11-25T18:43:00.000-08:00

Hauled the new trailer home today
Everyone is very happy to get an extra 10 feet of space
Plus all the slide out room
And many other very cool features

Will post more tomorrow
Just wanted to run these pictures for a couple friends who asked

Ok....Ok....

2009-11-24T04:54:00.000-08:00

So I am gonna have to let my scribe go
He is far to busy in winter quarters to post an occasional blog
He is busy
Eight hours a day at KM winter quarters
The an hour or so here at the McCoy Stable
And the girls!!!!!
HAHA

First off I would like to thank the readership for being
Nice to Radar, I felt he did a great job with the blog...
TILL WE GOT HOME,,,lol

Second I will apologize for leaving off where I did
I was just burnt out on the internet
And felt I wasn't getting enough REAL stuff done because of it
Now, I have a bit more free time
So I will pick up
Where Radar left off

We closed about three weeks ago
Made the drive home no problem
Unloaded into a jungle of high grass, weeds, and MUD!
Seems it was a very wet season for Paris too
I volunteered the cat act for the first annual
Circus City Festival
To benefit the museum in the works
We did four shows for the festival
The cats did great, other then being a little nervous
By the third act that day they settled down enough
I let Radar work the fourth show
His first ever live performance for the public
He did a good job
Very nervous and he got slightly frustrated when the cats
Made him work for it
Which they only did cause he was nervous and off his game
Overall...I think he will do fine working them in the future

The next Saturday we attended the first Circus City Showmans Association meeting
BK Silverlake has done a great job getting people and what not together
To form a local club
I will have more info on this subject after the next meeting on the 12th

Otherwise, not a whole lot going on
Grill is still running most nights
Weather has been great
Georgia, Genevieve, and Natalie are doing great
Georgia is enjoying public school
She took part in a musical at school last week
She was awesome (I will try to post alot of pics from last few weeks later)

Till then...
May all your days be...
Aw you get it
(Especially you Jack)

End of the road

2009-11-05T17:49:00.001-08:00

Paris - Texas.
Everyone packs heat in Texas. Know why?
Fireants. Lil' Bastards is their rap name.
The season has ended for the Kelly Miller Circus with a BANG! The last week of the season was filled with suprises and excitement. An elephant/tiger zookeeper took several days of vacation off work (names will be withheld to prevent repercussions from a certain supervisor of her's that does not condone "circus style" training methods). We had a great time and and we were all sad to see her leave. Any "towner" that can survive a week on a mudshow with donikers, cold showers, daily rain and mud and dealing with our rowdy bunch must not be too soft!
The annual Kelly Miller Halloween Extravaganza kicked off a promise of "large cash prizes!" This turned out to be factual and lined the pockets of Casey and I well. Our show's two clowns, Steve and Ryan, dressed us in their makeup and we constructed some costumes. Performing the legendary 'sink gag' three times, I felt no envy for the clowns while Casey pummeled me with wrenches, hammers, plungers and any other objects within reach from the toolbox. First place was the reward, followed by Armando Loyal as Zorro riding in the tent on one of his horses, and Steve and Ryan taking third in an innovate design. Dressing as the animal department, Steve posed as Armando yelling at his groom Buckner (Ryan) to clean up a pile of shit (artfully constructed out of material atop a remote control car. Although the manure escaping disposal from the true shoveler were not portable, all enjoyed the humor of the situation.
Our last bit of excitment commenced on the final day of the season. As I have been raving about, Shonti's training has been progessing well. The last two shows displayed Shonti in every trick except the hind leg walks. It was great fun and smiles all around to see her success.
Thank you all for the compliments and I apologize for the delay in posts... I dislike running the blog! Hahaha. My motivation comes from the same that prevents me from adding certain friends on Facebook... a fear of death or worse, unemployment from the circus.
Pictures of the last few weeks will be posted in the next week.

Ten minutes of butterflies.

2009-10-19T19:00:00.000-07:00

It has been great to be back in Missouri.
For several days my family and friends have been visiting, bringing me back to reminisce town life and my "pre-circus" days. Not for a moment though do I regret joining Casey's crew on the Kelly Miller Circus. I was conversing with the gentleman that helped me get a job at the car dealership and learned things could not be much worse in the automobile industry. To forego long details, there is no doubt in my mind I made the best decision to leave it all behind and pursue a dream.
To change subjects, the tiger act has taken a few jumps of improvement in the last week. To preface the events, I would first like to share a story my father told me. During his tenure as manager of Riddle's Elephant Sanctuary, there was never an easy or slow day when one is in charge of fifteen elephants, nearly half of which are mature males. However, no matter how hot the day or unending the work, he would also take a late afternoon break to witness one of the young calves chasing butterflies around her yard. There are a few moments in life that counter balance all the struggle and heartache we experience, which he described as his "Ten minutes of butterflies." I have had a few of those moments in my first year working with tigers, though none as strong as this afternoon when Shonti rolled over with the four adult tigers.

Upon my arrival on Kelly Miller, Shonti was seat & leash trained. The only trick she performed in the show was the backward shoulder stand, an action only performed by two other trainers in the past (Charly Bauman and Wade Burck). Skipping foward five months, she performs two additional tricks int he show - laying down/sitting up with the group and sliding under the adults as a comedy bit. Watching her progress everyday with her training and later observing its involvement in the show is very gratifying. I too have experienced my ten minutes of butterflies.

Family Times

2009-10-12T18:43:00.000-07:00

It has been a great couple of days for me on the Kelly Miller Circus.

We finally returned to Missouri (my stomping grounds) and have spent the last few days around St. Louis. Although I am not homesick, it was great to see my family and a few friends that came out to see the show. In addition to bringing some great presents and food (it was like Christmas!) and some amazing food, we had a lot of fun hanging out at the circus lot for two days and a classic America's Own barbeque.

Friday night as we were leaving the show for dinner, Mr. North stopped me and complimented me on working the cats. Apparently he and Lucky Eddie had been in the audience as I practiced the tigers through the routine. Captain Johnny informed me he did not know that I was able to work the complete act and told me he was impressed with the work. I took this compliment with great pride and my family was proud as well. Several days later, they were able to watch me working the tigers for themselves. Practice went relatively well and I made it out of the cage without a scratch (as usual, but they all had their doubts!)

The season is coming to a close with less than two weeks remaining. Everyone is excited and ready to finish, though it has been a great, albeit wet, year.

My little sister and I

Four's Company

2009-10-07T08:02:00.000-07:00

Tonight Natalie put Beau into the act, returning four dogs to the show after the passing of Dixie.

Beau has been with the group since last year but only worked a few shows. Natalie has trained him to work several different tricks and he is now a circus star in his own right.

In the meantime, everyone is excited for the season to end soon - only seventeen more days. Everyone has different plans that will take us apart and bring us together again.

The Cainan's will be residing at their home and tiger compound in Texas. The clowns will be staying in Hugo for the winter to prepare for next year's show after they take a trip to Steve's home to pick up props and such. I of course will be staying at Casey's as well to learn more circus skills and to care for the cats.

Hunting Wabbits... I mean Horses

2009-10-05T20:43:00.001-07:00

Today was a beautiful day in Illinois, a nice break from the rain and cold.

Recently Armando purchased a new Percheron for the horse act and this sonuvagun is big! The guys were enjoying the nice weather and riding him in the field across from the lot. The tigers enjoyed as well, their predatory instincts kicking in as they went-a-huntin.'

A few pictures of the excitement. A more in depth blog tomorrow - promise.

Keep on Rollin

2009-10-04T16:10:00.000-07:00

The circus continues on and I am back in business.
My computer cord failed -again- and I was without a computer for over a week. My apologizes.
To get back in the groove of things, here is a video of Shonti's progression with the rollover.

Circo Hermanos Vasquez

2009-09-27T08:05:00.000-07:00

Where do circus folk spend their Saturday nights? At another circus!

Last night the majority of performers from Kelly Miller visited Circus Vasquez, a hispanic show. Armando and his wife Natalia were gracious enough to let me ride with them after rides and load up was finished. We missed the first few acts, but still made it in time to see a great show and some great acts.

At first glance driving to the lot and walking in the tent, a neat, clean and professional operation is the first thought that comes to mind. Once relaxed in the comfortable stadium seating packed to the brink, the energy and enthusiasm from both the performers and the audience are enthralling and infectious. There is no "march of death" and everyone is smiling enjoying their profession. I must admit I was a little lost on the clown gags of Pastelito and ringmaster direction (my Spanish is limited to three years of schooling and KM work crew education), though the off-color white guy jokes were still amusing. Some of the acts we saw included Russian Ekaterina Karmasova on the single trapeze, juggler Jose Alberto, plenty of beautiful showgirl dancers and a mixed animal act consisting of two horses, two Bactrian camels, a miniature pony and a zebra presented by Klaus Dieter of Germany.

After I was told by several people not to expect much from the cat act, I was not disappointed by the few amount of tricks performed by the three white tigers. Trained by Aldo Vasquez, there was a fire hoop, a few sit ups, a lay down, a mirror ball and what we will call a hind leg walk "in progess." The elephant act, presented by George Hanneford, included a spindel, tubs, over the garden wall and skipping.

Standing out among the animal acts, the horse riders were one of the most impressive events of the show. The Kamvarov Kozacs from Kyrgyztan can be described as acrobats on horses. The men and women flipping and sailing around their steeds resembled the rest of the show, very high speed and energetic.
We had a good time visiting with Armando's brother and Patsy's uncle after the show and stopped at the elephant compound to speak with George Hanneford for a few minutes. We were hoping to visit UniverSoul Circus tonight but our showtimes are about the same.

A few pictures of the show before I was told "No pictures allowed!" Seriously? And before I get any comments about this being a "family blog," I posted the last one for Mr. Wade Burck. Enjoy.

A day's work

2009-09-26T07:53:00.000-07:00

After a day's worth of practice, the new leap frog routine is coming together well.
Several pointed out to me that, although I described it, the Shonti's 'crawl' under the adults was not in the first video. My apologies.
The trick was condensed in regards to the number of jumps like I explained earlier.

Back to the basics

2009-09-25T11:37:00.000-07:00

Tiger Training 101
Ok, well I do not really know much about training tigers to teach anyone anything. But I learn a lot from Casey and cannot wait to train tigers myself one day. Every day I am allowed to go in the arena to practice makes all the hardwork pay off.
At the suggestion of renowned bear trainer Jimmy Hall, Casey did some adjustments to the leapfrog routine but continuing to use all five cats. It is difficult to explain but you can see in the video how everything plays out. This was the first attempt at the new trick and went rather well. Casey tells me Tora has never bounced over separated tigers in this manner, rather only a single cat, or multiple cats standing together. She is a quick learner and eager to do what she is told, gathering that she understands what is expected of her. Practicing this trick also helps with conditioning the other tigers in regards to their body positions and moving them to the necessary placement. Shonti is doing well with the "slide under," to our knowledge the only cat that performs the trick, first trained with another cat by Wade Burck.
Casey is talking of shortening the trick so that the act is not so long. No one ever complains that an act was too short and exciting. Apologies to any that might "fall asleep" watching.

Goodbye to a friend

2009-09-24T18:45:00.000-07:00

Wednesday was a rough day for the Cainan family, now one less.

Dixie, one of the five American Eskimos was euthanized due to cancer. A moment of silence and thank you to all those best wishes for Natalie.

A Weekly Review

2009-09-22T15:31:00.000-07:00

A lot of excitement has been going around the Kelly Miller lot in the last week.

We have gained a new aerialist - a professional - for the show. Becky Ostroff is filling the third spot in the webb display, as well as performing her single trapeze act in replacement of the Fernandes. Danny and Tavana Brown (who do just about everything for the show) renewed their vows under the direction of Father Jerry Hogan, following Tavana's confirmation into the Catholic Church. A beautiful ceremony, many performers and crew came to share in the celebration.

Tiger training is progressing every day. In correlation with his daily reading, Casey has acquired a small notebook that he uses for recording....something. I am not exactly sure what, but it unnerves many, including myself. It has been a great asset in my training, however. During practice, Casey will record my errors, presenting it to me the next day before my next session so that I may correct problems.

The tigers are also in the process of learning new tricks for the act while continuing the 'theme' of no props. More impressively, our year old cat Shonti is in her first few days of learning the rollover. She finishes the trick with sitting high, also looking much better after every practice. Her back is getting stronger and her balance improving. Seeing the cats improve and grow everyday reminds me constantly how cool I have of a job and life.

Our relaxing week of three multiple day stands were greeted with visits from circus fans John Goodall, Paul Holley and Jim Koretz. One show was graced with a VIP presence of John Cuneo, though sans wife Herta. To end, a few pictures from the wedding, training, and the unarmed forward hind leg walk, courtesy of Jim Koretz.

Circus Vacations

2009-09-15T11:58:00.001-07:00

A great bonus of traveling is, well, traveling. We cover about eleven states from the opening of the season to close. With nearly all one day stands, the most we see is a grassy lot (or mud or asphalt). Once a week trips for groceries and laundry, it reinfores the phrase, "You travel everywhere and see nothing." One of the biggest highlights for me has been to see a few zoos if we are close enough for a cab ride - National Zoo, Southwick's Zoo, Toledo Zoo, and Brookfield Zoo so far. If I did not already have friends that work there, I sure made some by the time I left. One place I was given a personalized tour of the entire zoo, two others of the elephant facilities. Hospitality is very generous among animal folk. Despite disagreements we may have with each other, if we are all making a living and animals are well cared for, that is what matters. Before Casey offered me a job, I had already seen four circuses and several zoos this year. I had planned on seeing eight more shows this season with many more zoos. No regrets though. Looking forward to Texas for the winter - zoos and elephants everywhere, along with many friends.
One of my favorite 'circus vacations' this year was our visit today to the Hawthorn Corporation, owned by John Cueno. Despite the controversy and history surrounding the place, it was great to experience that piece of circus history. Adam Burck and his lovely wife Elaine (both descendents of circus royalty) gave us a personalied tour of the facility and even practiced his act for us. As I stated earlier, before my recruitment into show business I had seen four tiger acts: Bruno on the Carden Show, Clayton Rosaire on Hanneford, Niche on Hamid and of course Casey. Following my education and experience regarding tigers since that time, I had a greater appreciation and understanding in watching another trainer work. Visiting Hawthorn and seeing so many tigers, barns, yards and general operations was similiar to my first visit to Riddle's Elephant Sanctuary when my dad was manager of their fifteen elephants (seven males included). Both last night and tonight the couple attended America's Own and brought slabs of smoked ribs which we heated and sauced on the grill. The night was filled with fun, laughter and story-telling, even including a fencing duel between Casey and Ryan.
The season is coming to a close but things are still great as can be. The cats are working well and my practicing the act is progressing every day. Gotta love this life.

To Protesters. Cheers

2009-09-14T15:08:00.000-07:00

I don't have many complaints about circus life.
Yes, there is the drama and aggravations that come with any group of people or occupation
But overall it is pretty freakin' sweet.
This life is something I have wanted since I was kid.
Maybe not this 'exactly' this. But I rode my first bull elephant at five days old.
What do you expect?
It is completely different to watch the argument over Animal Rights and animals in captivity from the inside. They attack our world; they attack us.
In any aspect, there is the best, the worst, and everyone else.
Come stand outside my fence for ten minutes and see my cats in the rolling cage.
Stay all day and see them in the yard for hours upon hours doing whatever they please. Sleep, play, argue, drink - that is their time.
Yes they work. So do we. Would they like to lay around and do nothing all day?
Of course. So would you. Someone offers you retirement to lay on the beach in Hawaii
all day and sip margaritas? You won't tell them no.
But this is life. The relaxation comes with labor.
And to be honest, doesn't that make it more gratifying?
I live with my animals. I live with my family and my friends.
We don't have a tv at America's Own. We pass our time in each other's company and caring for our animals. My vacation, or rather few hours off in a day?
I visit a zoo if possible to see how they care for their animals.
This is our life. Our love. Our passion.
Screw you that tells me I am wrong. Screw you that holds a sign but can't tell me what 'I' did wrong. You don't know. You judge me based on someone else's mistake.
They are obviously not in the top ten percent. Neither am I. But don't stereotype me.
That being said, here are a few pictures of those that are ignorant. None of them can tell me why they are against - me, my family, my life - other than quotes on a website about events from 1997.

New sheriff in town

2009-09-13T13:12:00.000-07:00

New author on the blog for a while.

Casey is taking an internet hiatus in his goal of a healthier lifestyle.

(Yeah I know, that was the same look on my own face)

He has been reading a lot lately and picked up pipe smoking.

Radar is the new sheriff in town. Assistant Tiger Trainer? Yeah that's me.

The traveling menagerie from a different point of view

cause all my days are circus days.

Let's hope readership doesn't plummet to nothing.

Any ideas, suggestions, help - let me know.

I'll do my best to be entertaining.

I know everyone can't enjoy the 360 degree feel of America's Own

and insulting Radar. All in good fun (I think).

Here are a few pictures of Casey practicing the cats. Enjoy

I need to add my own disclaimer in light of some recent unfavorable events.

NOTICE --Images may not be copied, downloaded, or used in any way without the expressed, written permission of the photographer, Ryan Easley

Indiana Road...

2009-09-01T09:06:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite Fred Eaglesmith records
Is Indiana Road
Early in his songwriting career
And when you listen to it while driving through Indiana
It is easy to hear where his mind was
Cause Indiana roads are just different
Any way...
We all went out to eat Sun after the shows
At Mi Ranchito Mexican Grill
Fantastico! Delicioso! and El Cheapo!
Steve had a friend visiting, (Beth) and at the end of the meal
For 11 people to eat dinner (And a few cocktails)
$85.00!!!!!
Less then 8 bucks a piece
That is awesome!
Yesterday we were in Watseka IL.
Played there with a few shows
Business was so so..
Little better then half houses
Lot is rite behind a WalMart
Shopping mecca

There was a review in Spectacle Magazine of the show this week
Was a great write up for Steve, Ryan, and I
Even has a good pic of the backwards shoulder stand
Mixed into the 10 photos of the clowns

Speaking of Photos...
Wade somehow found this "yet to be released" publicity shot
Of Radar
Wooing fans at the swimming pool snack bar
Enjoy!

And no,
It is not really Radar
Let us be realistic here,,,HAHA

Haircut And A Movie...

2009-08-30T08:18:00.001-07:00

Played at the Orchard mall in Benton Harbor
This recession must be pretty bad
Every mall we have been in last few months is
Half closed up
I took Georgia to the arcade
We played alot of Skee Ball
Then off to the salon for a cut n color
That's rite...
I said color
Got my hair dyed with highlights
I had it done once before and liked it
I think it looks good this time to

Here is how ridiculous I look under those dryer things

After the show
Radar, the clowns, and I headed off to see
Halloween 2 on its opening night
Gotta say, wasn't impressed at all with it
And the movie experience was awful as well
Late movie with a bunch of punky kids talking the whole time
Security guard had to keep threatening to toss them out
They obviously read it as a idol threat
The chick behind Ryan keep tapping her foot
And kicking the seat when she was scared
The overall movie was bad by

1: Very convoluted story line

2: Killings and gore were far from original, actually all
were about the same the whole movie

3: Only two good "jump outta no where and scare ya" scenes

Oh well...
They can't all be Quentin Terrentino movies...

She Is Only One Cat...

2009-08-27T14:55:00.000-07:00

But man is she a good one...

These are some pictures of Jai jumping Kali yesterday
Her hind legs are so strong now she hops the hurdles with ease
Her balance is getting better and better too

Look Ma, Just Hands...

2009-08-26T14:50:00.001-07:00

In Hastings MI. today
Good crowd for the first show
Had some truck trouble this morning
To go with the rain
Alternator went out in dog truck
Which got really hot and caught the insulation
In the hood of the truck on fire
I saw a bunch of smoke coming from the dash
Pulled over to check it out
Opened the hood only to find nothing smoking down on the motor
Then when I reached up to grab the hood
Saw the liner of the hood was a blaze
YIKES!!
Ripped it out and threw it into a puddle to put it out
Then as I was pulling away from there the belt to the
Alternator broke (Finally froze up)
Which also runs the brake booster in this truck
So the last 18 miles were kinda touch and go
Castro had it all swapped out by 2 today
100 bucks for belts and alternator
Can't beat that

Here are a couple photos Valerie caught a few days back
Hind leg walk without whips
And I don't even look to bald in the back from that angle

Leap Frog, Without The Frogs...

2009-08-25T14:03:00.000-07:00

I think this is kind of a neat twist
For the trick
Worked on it a little today
Went great in the show this evening

Still waiting anonymous...
Take your time
Get some facts
Not that he said she said BS
Look it all up
Then get back to me

Holland...Michigan That Is...

2009-08-25T06:20:00.000-07:00

Two day spot here
AT A MALL
Civilization
Entertainment Central
Money Spending Metropolis
The circus school kids went to see the movie Shorts
Yesterday as a field trip
Georgia said it was good
Nat and I walked around the mostly closed down outlet mall
Seen alot of that this year
Closed up malls and things
Must be a sign of the times
After the shows instead of the usual AO's Bar B Q
We had Dominioes pizza
Little change of pace
Had kind of a rough day here yesterday
Courtney fell practicing rings
I have heard her ankle is broke
But she is ok
Then in the flying act Eric fell and hit his
Knee into his nose and busted it up
And Ryan "The Other CLown" spent the day puking

After pizza
I wandered over to PokerZone
MI has legal card rooms
Sat down to play some 2-5 No-Limit Holdem
In 45mins I got two decent hands
8-9 suited flopped a flush draw and open straight draw
Caught the nut straight on the turn
Good size pot
Then pocket nines catching the third on the flop
Was a good pot also
One hour I left $128 bucks richer

Gonna throw these two pictures from the other day in
Cause they cracked me up
I came in to change after the cats and found Nathan Moss
And Georgia(Capote) Cainan on the computer
She is truly a fashionista
Enjoy

New Ending...

2009-08-23T19:42:00.000-07:00

Here is the no whips hind leg walk
I have been finishing the act with

I had been finishing with the hind leg jump
So, I had to find a better place for it
And since it is the same cat
I put it in with the over the garden wall

It has been going good so far
Needs to get smoothed out a little time wise
But it has a good flow and eliminates the only prop
A hurdle
Now is a cat already laying down

Inglorious Circus Stars...

2009-08-23T09:06:00.001-07:00

Great park for a two day stand here in Grand Haven MI
Close to all kinds of stuff
Home Depot
Where I bought our new fridge today
Thank God!
Cooler thing was a pain in the ass
Messing up the fung shway of AO's Bar and Grill
And yes Martha Stewart
I spell it fung shway,,,,,haha
Decent crowds yesterday
Maybe 3/4 houses
MI has been decent all the way through
Considering it has a 15-20% unemployment rate
And tourism is taking a hit due to recession
We went and saw Inglorious Basterds last night
Loved It! (hands on side of face)
Two snaps in a circle

There was an elephant recently taken from someone
By the USDA
Under direction of the USDI
I am not going to get into this too deep
But I will point out
That although we keep hearing it was because the elephant is skinny
I have yet to hear that as the reason from either the USDA or USDI
I have also heard some concern that "Now they are just going to
go around snatching up elephants that are skinny"
I doubt it
In the last 10 years
How many elephants have been confiscated?
Does it seem like they randomly picked people out?
Or when they did take one, was it obvious why?

The minimum requirements of the USDA to own an animal
Is just that...
Minimal
If they have decided something is wrong
In my experience
They give you time to correct it
Then they give you a harsh warning and fine
Plus more time to correct it
Then if you still don't get your shit straight
They do something drastic
But I do not for a second believe they are randomly
Going around plotting how they will put the circus industry
Out of business (They know we are doing that ourselves)
I hate the idea of Circuspace running an ad asking for
All circus performers to unite to help save someone
Even though most of the folks are NOT animal people
And surely not aware of any details
So...
We should...
Call up someone or write a letter saying
"Sir, I do not know the person in question, but since he is
in the circus he must be doing everything right, and should
be allowed to continue doing it, because circus people are all good
and should not have to meet the minimal requirements set forth
by a governing entity such as USDA or USDI"

Yeah,
That seems legit

I know it seems like we should all be sticking together
But if we defend what is wrong it makes everything we say
Less believable

"elephants have been drug into trucks and had their legs broke
during USDA confiscations"

Not true

"elephants are being picked by Carol Buckley and taken away
to be given to her"

Not true (Tina and Jewell are in sunny San Diego)

"We love them like our family"

I sure don't! I have never considered tethering my daughters to
the side of a truck. Or putting her in a cage. That said,
I don't feel there is anything wrong with doing that with animals for
Work or entertainment if they are properly cared for.

I am not passing a judgment
Or claiming higher ground
I am simply stating
If we don't want everyone to assume we are lying
We have to stop lying
It is that simple