|
A TRIBUTE TO SHINER July 13, 2004 marked the passing of one of the most extraordinary souls in my life. Shiner, my best bud and constant companion, died suddenly (most likely a heart attack). He was only 9 and 1/2 years old, but he was a big part of all of our lives here. I always pushed away the thoughts of his dying, instead watching his wise and loving eyes as they followed me wherever I went. Every night, he jumped into bed and laid at my feet. I didn't know how much I came to expect that contact - I  still catch myself looking down for him now. I could always reach behind me in my truck and stroke his soft and sweet head. He was such an amazing dog - just recently we attended the wedding for Kevin Kelly's two dogs at Houmas House. Shiner, in his tie and cuffs, walking with me throughout the grounds without a leash - a perfect gentleman. His favorite job was to greet the busses that rolled in for tours. His big bark and wagging tail always brought smiles and waves as the busses came and went. I've always had dogs and I've loved them all. Shiner, though, had such emotion and intellligence in his eyes. I can still feel that dip in his nose and that round spot on his head when I rubbed him. He offered everything to me and I relished his love. He'd mope while I was on vacation or out of town, and then he'd (literally) dance when I got home. Frank and I were just remembering the trip to Canada when we took him along. He loved the snow. I hope God has snow for him up there. Sometimes I see him run up behind me, and I turn and remember. I can't wait to see him again - he'll bark and wag his tail madly and I'll know I'm really home.
On a meaningful note, I asked Shiner to help me find a new friend. He helped me pick a new pup from the pound. His name is Tattoo and he has some uncanny resemblance to Shiner: his wise eyes, his hop down the stairs, his sweet love. He, like Shiner, adores me and I could not ask for more.
 Frank Bonifay and Jim Ragland Conservationists who pursued the preservation of the Bluff Swamp. Partners for over 20 years now, Frank and Jim have tried to educate guests about the importance and necessity of the swamp habitat for both humans and wildlife. They were successful contractors; then they liquidated their company to purchase the entrance to Alligator Bayou and make it an attraction for visitors and locals alike.
They established Alligator Bayou Tours in 1997 and use a boat to show the world their back yard. The small "footstep" of the boat maintains the health and beauty of the swamp, and the attractions they have established (the alligator habitat, the snapping turtle habitat, and the tour) are located on only 14 acres of the 1,500 acres they protect.
Frank is the brains behind the design and layout of the fascinating exhibits - the alligator pits and the turtle pond. Frank's dreams have a way of turning into amazing reality. He designed the bulkhead, deck and walkway at the turtle pond by eye.
Jim sometimes shows an amazing lack of brains and hand feeds gators and snapping turtles.
Frank and Jim are the only guides on the tour and enjoy showing the swamp to appreciative audiences. Both can be found walking among alligators, snakes, turtles and mud!!
 Jamie Brassett Manager of the myriad facets of Alligator Bayou, Jamie makes sure that all of the important details are polished. She books tours, plans and coordinates parties and field trips, plays mom for Boo and Echo (her babies) and all the other critters we rescue and use in education, cleans up after us all, inventories, decorates, scrubs pots, dumps gar bage, polishes proposals and reminds us all of what we have forgotten in the course of the day.
Jamie was a good friend that Jim and Frank convinced to step in and fortify the business (of course, the idea that she would be catching alligators, doing midnight canoe trips into the swamp, and "playing" outside all the time helped bring her on board).
She'll be the first one to tell you, though, that we don't let her out enough!! Jamie's dedication, tenacity and outgoing personality make her absolutely perfect for the position. She's at Alligator Bayou just about 7 days a week and as your party hostess you'll truly admire her attention to detail. Oh, she's still our best friend!
 Mike Thomas "Chef" Mike is our "Kitchen MacGyver". When guests request a menu, Mike acts as shopper and chef. He creates a palette for the taste buds when he puts together everything from a courchon de lais to his VERY popular white chocolate bread pudding. His jambalaya has also become a standard for our catered events. We've seen Mike prepare a six-course gourmet meal for 2 and we've seen him make, blend, form, bread and fry over 1500 boudin balls for 400 guests (and Willie Nelson!!) while cooking 2 pigs, 400# of boiled shrimp, 150# of fried gator and 30 seafood-stuffed pork loins. Mike's diverse restaurant background has been his proving ground and now his consistent and delicious meals are making a statement here at Alligator Bayou. And we're always trying to find new challenges for Mike - he can also cook vegetarian and vegan with panache.
 David "The Moose" Saltzberg Construction manager for many of the projects on-going at Alligator Bayou. David is a perfect example of serendipity - he picked our name out of the phone book to apply!! We couldn't manage without David's determination, strength, dedication, and brilliance - and his razor-sharp wit is, without a doubt, his most endearing quality.
He can sing Disney songs from memory, recites Monty Python dialogue, and loved Office Space (WHY?) He's one heck of a bartender, too. He's also Cypress's dad.
 Jodie McKay Jodie is the newest addition to the crew. She's definitely come a long way from initially being scared of spiders and snakes. Jodie is really great with people and works until the job is done. She's also developing a quick tongue to keep up with all of us here (although she still looks at us like we're all nuts!) And Boo (the nutria) looks as though he might stop attacking her, so she must be a keeper!
Boo & Echo: Our resident nutrias. Boo is a 2-year-old nutria we got from the swamp as a baby. He's such a mama's boy - Jamie and Boo spend quite a bit of time together. And, of course, he's not spoiled - fancy lettuce, cucumbers, fresh corn, broccoli crowns, and peanut butter cookies. Oh, and lest we forget, he loves Dum Dum suckers as well. We should eat so good! But he is such a clown, we just can't help loving him. He greets us with a yell every morning and uses a custom-made slide to get out of his cage. Echo is 6 months old now, and he's in his "terrible twos" stage. He's single minded - and he loves attention. Echo really hates when Boo "leaves" for work, and he will wait at the front door for Boo to come home from work. He talks more than any other nutria we've ever had, and he'll tell you what he thinks pretty quickly.
Stitch: Our special possum. Jim found Stitch on the road in her dead mother's pouch - she was only as big as your thumb! She is now 10# of cute, furry possum. Stitch has the unique ability to change most intelligent people's minds about possums in general. She has crossed eyes and a great personality. She loves yogurt and vienna sausage best, but she'll settle for cat food and peanut butter cookies. Opossums are absolutely amazing animals, and Stitch is the best ambassador for her species.
Junior: The star!! Junior is our 4-year-old alligator who has been with us for just over three years. He's not a pet - no reptile becomes a good pet - but he is conditioned to humans and is quite tolerant of children of all ages. We have a couple of gators in the "wings" waiting to take Junior's position, and we hope to let him go soon to be the best gator he can be! His new home will be the swamp - where he was meant to live. He has introduced literally thousands of people to the beauty and importance of reptiles and alligators, and he has done a magnificent job. He deserves his wild retirement!!
Shiner: The greatest dog you could ever ask for. Shiner was one of the very first drop-offs at Alligator Bayou after Jim & Frank bought it. He took to Jim immediately, and now is a constant companion. Everyone that knows Jim & Frank looks for the open hoods on their trucks because the dogs are in the AC. Shiner's heart is bigger than he is, and that is saying alot. The only thing he does wrong is beg for food (his greatest weakness!). He sleeps in bed, hasn't had an accident in the house for over 7 years, waits longingly for Jim when he's out of town, and greets arriving and departing busses at the tour. He rides on practically every trip on the Alligator Queen.
|
August/September 2004