Group Writing: Playing with Tigers

 

Have you ever had a moment when you realized that you made a decision to do something incredibly stupid and wondered if you had gone temporarily insane?

I didn’t think I was the only one.

And yet, in the moment, it was too good an opportunity to pass up.

We were on a trip in Thailand and on a whim, our tour guide (who had also become our friend) suggested we take a side trip that hadn’t been on our agenda. We were intrigued so, of course, we agreed to go.

The side trip was to the Tiger Temple, a refuge for tigers managed by a group of Thai monks. The refuge was created when a Thai came to the temple with a tiger cub that he had captured in the forest; he realized that the larger the tiger became, the more unmanageable and dangerous it would be. He was reluctant to abandon it in the wild (possibly thinking it had lost its natural instinct to hunt for food) and left it with the monks. It didn’t take long for the word to get out to other foolish Thais who had also adopted tigers that they had a place to take their cubs-becoming-adult tigers.

And the monks took each one in.

Over time the temple adopted many tigers, who also bred and had more cubs. (There’s no wild creature more adorable than a tiger cub.)

On the day we arrived at the temple, we had an opportunity to meet privately with the abbot of the temple. After a brief chat, he invited us to visit the tigers, which were in large cages. He explained that they took the animals regularly on leashes into an uninhabited area nearby, removed the leashes and the tigers were able to roam freely. The monks had developed such a rapport with the tigers that they could pet and scratch the animals and they responded to their instructions.

As we approached the cages, the abbot told us that he could bring out two cats, one for my husband and one for me. He would temporarily put each one on a heavy chain which he wrapped around two trees, and we would be able to pet them.

Pet them?

Of course, my husband jumped at the chance, while I consented a bit reluctantly. The abbot asked us to stand nearby as he connected each tiger to a chain, and then asked each of us to approach the tiger from behind; the tiger would hear but not see us. If the tiger turned to look at us, the abbot would gently push his head forward so that it wouldn’t mistake us for dessert. Then the abbot told us we could pet the tiger.

So I did.

The hair was coarse to the touch. Underneath my hand, I could feel the incredible strength of the tiger emanating from his body. I continued to stand there, mesmerized by the markings of the beast and the unbelievable power of the moment. Finally, I stepped aside and away. The tiger meanwhile had tried to get a look at me a couple of times, but each time the abbot calmly moved the tiger’s head forward.

I will never forget that magical and foolish moment.

Would I do it again if I had the opportunity? . . .

I also just remembered that I had an elephant step on me once. A story for another time . . .

[Eventually, swindlers tried to take over the management of the Temple and pushed the abbot aside, creating a tourist attraction. After their actions were discovered by the authorities, including abuse of the tigers, the temple was closed down and the tigers distributed to facilities where they could be properly cared for.]

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  1. DaveSchmidt Coolidge
    DaveSchmidt
    @DaveSchmidt

    David Carroll (View Comment):

    The only tiger I am willing to play with is Tiger Woods. In golf. Because he could teach me so much. And it would be fun to watch him get frustrated at my ineptitude.

    Just don’t let him get behind the wheel.  His best driving is on the golf course.  

    • #61
  2. lowtech redneck Coolidge
    lowtech redneck
    @lowtech redneck

    Skyler (View Comment):

    lowtech redneck (View Comment):

    Arahant (View Comment):

    lowtech redneck (View Comment):
    but domestic cats are (generally speaking) restrained in exhibiting feline aggression against vulnerable humans, such as infants or toddlers, as well as broadly sensing how far they can go without seriously hurting humans.

    You should have seen my shredded arms when I carried the grumpy cat of a family friend across a neighborhood the size of a football field.

    Why would anyone ever do that?

    They were moving and didn’t have a cat carrier, and I was a young teenager.

    • #62
  3. Arahant Member
    Arahant
    @Arahant

    lowtech redneck (View Comment):
    They were moving and didn’t have a cat carrier, and I was a young teenager.

    “Let’s get Fred* to do it. He’s young and doesn’t know any better.”

    * Probably not LR’s real name.
    • #63
  4. The Reticulator Member
    The Reticulator
    @TheReticulator

    Amy Schley, Longcat Shrinker (View Comment):

    Skyler (View Comment):
    And the Ancient Egyptians are all dead now. Must have been eaten by Cheetahs.

    Highly doubtful. Cheetahs are so neurotic they need emotional support dogs.

    Seriously.

    https://www.unilad.co.uk/animals/the-reason-cheetahs-need-emotional-support-dogs

    One each for breakfast, lunch, and dinner? 

    • #64
  5. Stad Coolidge
    Stad
    @Stad

    Percival (View Comment):

    Arahant (View Comment):

    Eugene Kriegsmann (View Comment):
    I petted it and had exactly the same allergic reaction to it that I had experienced for years to domestic house cats.

    The cougar is the largest of the small cats. It is more closely related to the feline human owners than to tigers and lions. I have not been around the “big” cats enough to test my allergies.

    Trail cams keep picking them up in Illinois.

    You know, if we can get Beetlejuice to take up walking at night . . .

    • #65
  6. Percival Thatcher
    Percival
    @Percival

    Stad (View Comment):

    Percival (View Comment):

    Arahant (View Comment):

    Eugene Kriegsmann (View Comment):
    I petted it and had exactly the same allergic reaction to it that I had experienced for years to domestic house cats.

    The cougar is the largest of the small cats. It is more closely related to the feline human owners than to tigers and lions. I have not been around the “big” cats enough to test my allergies.

    Trail cams keep picking them up in Illinois.

    You know, if we can get Beetlejuice to take up walking at night . . .

    One thing to keep in mind:

    • #66
  7. Susan Quinn Contributor
    Susan Quinn
    @SusanQuinn

    Percival (View Comment):

    Stad (View Comment):

    Percival (View Comment):

    Arahant (View Comment):

    Eugene Kriegsmann (View Comment):
    I petted it and had exactly the same allergic reaction to it that I had experienced for years to domestic house cats.

    The cougar is the largest of the small cats. It is more closely related to the feline human owners than to tigers and lions. I have not been around the “big” cats enough to test my allergies.

    Trail cams keep picking them up in Illinois.

    You know, if we can get Beetlejuice to take up walking at night . . .

    One thing to keep in mind:

    This one is a LOL!!!!

    • #67
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