Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Eine Kleine Elefantmusik*

(*with apologies to Mozart)

With all the craziness going on in the world at large and in our own little worlds, I thought I'd lighten things up with a couple of videos courtesy of the Elephant Sanctuary. No, the elephants aren't making the music, but there is great music that accompanies each one.

The first shows that The Elephant Sanctuary is not just a sanctuary for elephants. In the rural Tennessee town where the sanctuary is located, there is an area close by that is a known "dumping grounds" for people who no longer want their cats or dogs. The Elephant Sanctuary will find a stray and take them in, getting them--up to date on their shots, neutered or spayed, dewormed and defleaed and then gives them sanctuary on their grounds. (In the past few months the sanctuary staff has worked with Lewis County in an advisory capacity to find a solution to the ongoing problem of stray animals.) Enjoy! I especially like the Spike Jones music.


The second video just makes my heart sing. It shows the elephants just having fun. Remember that the vast majority of these elephants have been taken from cruel and abusive situations. Some were kept chained in a windowless barn for months at a time. To see them frolicking and being able to come and go as they please, pleases me to no end. And who doesn't love a good Desi Arnaz song to go with it?

10 comments:

Lynne at Hasty Brook said...

I'm grinning from ear to ear!
I've never seen such things- and admit I've never heard of the sanctuary.
It makes my heart sing too.
Thanks.

Ramblings of a Villas Girl said...

Hi! You are right about the craziness. I find, for me at least, that there is nothing like watching animals to relief the stresses of the day and to get my mind off things for a while. They are so natural and carefree. Pure joy. I have been to the Elephant Sanctuary site a few times. I have not been able to get the Elephant cams working on my laptop. Any suggestions?
Well anyway. Thank you for sharing the videos. Lisa

possumlady said...

Hi Lynne! Glad it made you smile. I go back to these videos time and time again when I need a lift. The Elephant Sanctuary is a wonderful place. Check them out at elephants.com

Hi Lisa, not being a computer geek I really don't have any suggestions. Is it always blank? When I use my laptop at home it does take a few seconds for the elecam to work--anywhere from 10-30seconds. Have you clicked on the "stand alone" player they suggest if you can't see the video? Good luck!

Anonymous said...

Hey Possumlady,

I enjoyed seeing the video of your namesake. The elephant videos were quite fun! Thanks, Cat59

Mary said...

Christine,

You don't know how much I enjoyed this tonight - my eyes are tired, I'm tired and now, I'm laughing out loud and my heart's singing.

I loved this post - the videos are fantastic. I'm send this link to some of my friends. My daughter has dreamed of working in a sanctuary for strays. She'll love it!

Hugs,
Mary

Julie Zickefoose said...

Awwww. I love these. I wonder how long it would take
Chet Baker to figure out that he can't jump up and nip an elephant's trunk? I have this image of him, pasted under its foot...
Sweet Desi Arnz soundtrack!

Susan Gets Native said...

Ooooo....my heart is joyful!

possumlady said...

Julie, I don't think Baker would be pasted under an elephant foot. More likely he would have gotten his first "flying" lesson by way of an elephant's trunk!

Welcome Susan! Glad you enjoyed the videos.

KGMom said...

Love it! Absolutely love it!
I love how the dogs in the first video run back after the elephants. Me--I would be getting out of the way!

Anonymous said...

love it, love it, especially Desi Arnaz singing with the elephants or is it to the elephants.