2018-06-09 Carole Baskin’s Diary

Carole Baskins Diary

Howie, Hurley and the Alligator

I had this exchange with Deb Quimby this morning and it reminded me that I probably never mentioned the close call for Howie and Hurley.

Deb wrote: Happy CATurday!

I have to share with you the craziest dream I had last night and when I woke up from it made me smile and I knew I had to share it with you!

I dreamed you called me and said, “ hey, we need to go get some bobcat kittens. Jamie is busy and I need you to go with me. I’ll be there in 15 min. Bring gloves, a shovel and a backpack and wear boots.” I asked you why those things and you said, “ gloves to handle the kittens so they don’t smell us, boots because there are snakes everywhere ( I am deathly afraid of snakes), a shovel to move the snakes out of the way and a backpack to put the kittens in. “ You picked me up in your truck ( from my house here in IN) and we drove and drove. When we got to this place we started walking thru high grass and I could hardly watch for the bobkittens for looking for the snakes! We found 2 nests of kittens in the grass. You told me to put them in my backpack and so we took turns keeping the snakes back with the shovels while the other grabbed the kittens. We ended up with 10 kittens. I asked you, “where would this many stay? Who would feed and take care of them?” You laughed and said “ we are!” The last kitten I pulled out of the nest was calico in color. You said that meant good luck! I told you we were going to need it raising 10 tiny bobkittens ! You laughed and we zipped up the backpacks and started to walk back to the car.... then I woke up. Crazy dream! This dream must say something about our friendship, because I wouldn’t go anywhere near a snake for just anyone! ;). Have a good day! Love and hugs! Deb

I wrote:

That kind of IS how bobcat rescues go (except for the number) I usually get a call in the middle of the night, and if Jamie's away, I call whomever I think is going to be willing to fight the mosquitoes, the briars and whatever else may be in the woods, to go help the bobcat. You are the kind of person I know I could call. I find dreams interesting because we spend so much of our time sleeping and I think there has to be more to them than just crazy ramblings, if we can remember and use them.

My "fear" animal in dreams are alligators. Living with them right in my yard here keeps me on my toes, but they were my dream - fear animal all my life. This is what I've read about alligators in dreams, and about snakes in dreams:

To see an alligator in your dream symbolizes treachery, deceit, and hidden instincts. It may be a signal for you to take on a new perspective on a situation. It may also represent your ability to move between the physical, material world of waking life and the emotional, repressed world of the unconscious.

Most snake dreams have to do with repressed sexual urges. As a positive symbol, snakes represent healing, transformation, knowledge and wisdom. It is indicative of self-renewal and positive change.

Deb wrote:

Oh you know I would absolutely go with you! ... and if I lived near alligators I am sure I would fear them as well! I have never actually seen one- having lived in land locked IN all my life, but we have plenty of snakes here!

I had just watched the video of you and Gail searching for a water moccasin and you chopping its head off with a shovel before bed. I suspect that might be where that dream came from ...

You have mentioned that alligator that is near where you ride your bike. Although that looks like a beautiful area, I would have a hard time seeing the beauty for watching for that alligator! .... in your back yard ??? Yikes! Have a good day my friend!

I wrote:

It's the same river, Rocky Creek that winds from the sanctuary to my house, and where I live is almost completely surrounded by water because of the way a canal intersects Rocky Creek. So I see alligators at several spots along the trail I ride, but the ones that creep me out the most are the ones that live in my yard. They are usually on the opposite side of the water from me (when I see them any way) but it's when I can't see them that I worry. Howie and Jamie's dog Hurley had a big scare by one of them on our side of the water one day because they went trotting down to the edge and didn't see her until she lunged up and snapped at them. Both Hurley and Howie ran faster than anyone's ever seen them run before!

They don't usually chase people. They are just opportunistic and will take whatever comes too close.

Hi, I’m Carole Baskin and I’ve been writing my story since I was able to write, but when the media goes to share it, they only choose the parts that fit their idea of what will generate views. These are my views and opinions. If I'm going to share my story, it should be the whole story. The titles are the dates things happened. If you have any interest in who I really am please start at the beginning of this playlist: http://savethecats.org/

I know there will be people who take things out of context and try to use them to validate their own misconception, but you have access to the whole story. My hope is that others will recognize themselves in my words and have the strength to do what is right for themselves and our shared planet.

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Music (if any) from Epidemic Sound (http://www.epidemicsound.com) This video is for entertainment purposes only and is my opinion. Closing graphic with permission from https://youtu.be/F_AtgWMfwrk