My Story: The Beginning of a Zoologist

 At the age of 32 my first career (SAG Actress) was winding down and I was stuck
  sitting on the couch watching TV and dreading my upcoming knee surgery. All the
  shows I used to imagine myself on were boring and I became hooked on animal
  planet, especially The Crocodile Hunter, Croc Files, and Crocodile Hunter
  Diaries. I had grown up in Oregon too, and could identify with Terri's love of
  wildlife. I too, have raised orphan raccoons, opossums, and an occasional rabbit
  or bird. Now after years of following what I had thought was my passion I
couldn't care less. (I need to point out that I have an amazing husband who encourages me to do anything I want to try.)
I saw an episode where Steve had knee surgery on camera and it made me feel braver about my own upcoming surgery. At this point, this was still all just entertaining for me. I knew Steve had recently died and thought it was very sad but it didn't have a huge effect on me until the day before my surgery. 
I was watching "Ellen" when Terri came on with Bindi for G'day USA to fulfill Steve's previous commitment. As I sat there mesmerized my personal epiphany happened. I could help! I loved animals. Terri was right, we all had to carry on Steve's work. I would start volunteering; go back to school, save the world! Then I got up to go to the bathroom and realized I still couldn't walk. Oops. I could still do one thing, without telling anybody, I registered for a zoology class at the local community college. I had never been a good student so I thought I'll just try one class, if it works out then I'll tell people. It took
me two days to tell my husband I'd just dumped one career path and was going back to school. He replied as always "Go for it babe!” So three days after knee surgery, I was off to college crutches and all. I watched every episode I could get my hands on that Steve and Terri did, I read their book, and studied hard. I was inspired to do for others not for myself and it felt great. Once my knee healed I started volunteering every place I could.  I have been lucky enough to work as an animal keeper at several great places in Los Angeles County, CA with a huge variety of animals.
 
Wow I'm impressed you've read this far. I want to make something clear. Steve Irwin was my inspiration but it is Terri Irwin who is my hero.
If I can do 1/4 of what she has I will feel like I've accomplished a lot. If you havn't yet read it, go get MY STEVE by Terri Irwin, you will be inspired.
One day I hope to go to Australia Zoo, can we say “Graduation Trip!”

The journey is not easy and I have had my share of ups and downs. I am a 'Super Senior' at Cal State University Long Beach. It is going to take me over seven years to get my Zoology degree but I believe that ONE PERSON CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

My Story: Starting Remember Wildlife

In 2008 my friend Ian Uhalt asked me for a favor. He is a high school teacher who teaches a summer camp for elementary age children. The summer camp had little funding so he asked if I would come bring my pet snake and talk to the kids about reptiles. I knew he couldn't pay me but any chance I have to talk about how great reptiles are I'll take. I love helping people get over their fear of snakes.

My beautiful Red-Tail Boa who I had named 'Terri Irwin', Irwin for short, was just a baby. She was only a couple feet long but extremely friendly. I did bucket loads of research to determine what types of topics would keep kids, whose ages ranged from 8-12, interested. I spent my birthday money on reptile goody bags I made for all the kids. Each bag had reptile toys, games, and conservation information. I was excited and nervous but felt that I needed something more. I called my Friend Chuck who owns Reptile Finders in Lomita, CA and asked him if I could borrow one of his large snakes for the class. Sure he said come by before the class and pick it up. Boy was I in for a surprise! He not only loaned me one snake but dozens, all sizes and species. I was thrilled and quickly started reviving my talk in my head as we loaded up my Jeep.

Ian had asked me for a one hour presentation. We all had so much fun it turned into three. The kids got to hold and touch the snakes. Any question was fair game. Every person, child and adult, got to take their photo with my beautiful Irwin. Towards the end of the presentation I pulled out the largest snake Chuck had loaned me, an eight foot long Dumerils Ground Boa, out to show the kids. Chuck had warned me he might be a little grumpy so I made sure to keep his head behind me as I shared The tale of this great snake with the kids (See Picture above). At some point during my talk he decided he had had enough attention and whipped his head around and bit me on the arm.

(Now a side note for you who have snake phobias. Non-venomous snake bites always look worse then they feel. It feels like your being slapped with a wet towel, a quick sting. It's no big thing)

I explained to the kids that it was my fault I had been bitten because I had not focused enough on how he was feeling. I put him safely in his travel box and decided it was a great segway into snake bite first aid. Most of the kids were thrilled. The ones that were upset were the kids who missed seeing the snake bite me and asked to "see it again". I distracted them and we all learned about the different type of snake bites and how to deal with them. At the end of three hours I was exausted and left a large group of children happily opening their reptile goody bags. I returned my loaner snakes safely back to Chuck and took my lovely snake home.

Ian said it went great and suggested maybe I should start my own organization and do this for more than just him. I took his advice and founded Remember Wildlife. I consider Ian Uhalt an honorary founder and a wonderful friend. I do events for anyone who calls and cover any wildlife, even bugs. I still do Ian's summer camp every year, and am proud they keep inviting me back.

My Story: Some Wildlife Rescues

The first time I was late to class was because of a seagull. I was on my way to school when I noticed the poor seagull. He had a plastic bag wrapped around one wing and one leg. His punishment for having a fast food breakfast. He would take off flying, get a few feet from the ground, the plastic bag would fill with air and suck him back to the ground and into traffic. I quicly parked my jeep, grabbed my phone and my sweatshirt and began the chase. Up and down Pacific Coast Hiway between Manhattan and Hermosa Beach. I knew I had to get him out of the road. It was too much for one person and lucky for me a good samaritan saw what was happening and came to help. We managed to get him cornered and I called the animal control from both towns to get help. Seagulls are protected wildlife and it is illegal to touch them. We waited until Animal Control arrived. To my surprise they did not want to touch the bird and gave me full permission to do it. We got the scared seagull cornered and I managed to toss my sweatshirt over his head. I got him untangled. Seeing no injuries I immediately released him and we watched him fly up, up, and away. When I got to class all my professor said was "what kind of animal?" he knew nothing else would make me late. I never got that good samaritans name but whoever you are Thank You for your help! This was not my only seagull rescue but definitely the most dramatic. Please Note: These are protected animals and you must have permission to handle them. There are many local rescues you can call for assistance if you find a bird who looks like it's in distress. Please dispose of your trash properly.

Catbait, the mockingbird: I was at home when I got a call from Ian. He was teaching at his summer camp when this lady came by and wanted his help. The name of the park where the camp is held leads people to believe that park rangers are there, but they are not. This lady had brought by a little fledgling bird her cat was eyeing. Ian wanted to know if I could come look at it. I grabbed my keys, hopped in my jeep, and off I went to save this poor orphan. When I got there and got the entire story I was furious and I mean really really mad. The lady had watched the bird learning to fledge (the beginning of flying) when it fell to the ground. The baby birds parents were there taking care of it, but her cat was outside, so she grabbed it and took it to the local park where Ian was holding his summer camp. What she should have done was lock her cat inside for a day or two and let the parents take care of their baby. She should not have interfered with nature, but beacause she did I now had a baby bird, covered in mites, in a box, in my jeep, headed back to my place. I am not a big bird person but they keep finding me. Luckily my husband is a bird person. He named the bird 'Catbait' because of the circumstances in which it was collected. We proceeded to spend the next two weeks feeding the baby and teaching it to fly. When all his feathers came in he was released back at the park where I had collected him originally to the joy of Ian's summer camp students. It was sad to see him go, he made the most beautiful sounds but he belonged in the wild. Watching him fly up to the trees was amazing and worth the mess left in my diningroom. Catbait was healthy and free.

Little and Lucky: A call woke me from my nap. It was my good friend Margo. The mail lady had been frightened by a baby opossum. Margo thought it looked to small could I please come look. I have a soft spot for opossums and ran down to look. The poor little baby only had half his fir and was just starting to get some teeth. He should still be with his mom. We brought him up to my place and hand picked every flea off of him. A quick run to the pet store to get a bottle and we were ready to take care of him. "he sure is lucky that we found him" Margo said. Yes he is Lucky, and the name stuck. So commenced the bottle feeding every two hours. I made him a pouch he could crawl in an out of just like on mom. I was in love. Feeding every two hours I was tired when there was a knock on my door the next morning. I opened it to see our apartment's handyman, an avid animal lover, "found another one under the trash" and he hands me the this tiny opossum. He was cold, almost bald, no teeth, and barely moved. He was so little. I got him cleaned up and fed and he joined Lucky in the pouch. I had a vet tech friend of mine come look at him. It doesn't look good she said, he won't last long. I wasn't going to give up. As long as they weren't suffering I would try. For over a month I fed and played with them. The great thing about opossums is that you can humanize them and still release them back into the wild because they forget they know people once they are free. Little was much slower growing then Lucky. When it came time to release them, Lucky left without a second glance back, and Little climbed back into his bed. Ok I though he isn't quite ready yet. A week later we tried again. (the picture above is from that night) Margo and I said our goodbyes and I placed him near a bush outside. He walked a few inches and sank down shaking. I know it's probably just me, I told Margo but I can't do it he doesn't look right. Margo agreed. When I got home from class the next day she said "I finally found a vet that will look at him, my treat". It amazed us how many vets considered them rats not worthy of care. Opossums are specialized marsupials and the only ones we have in North America. We found an amazing vet. We took my poor Little to the vet and it turned out he had a malformed spine. Instead of growing bigger his spine was zigzagging in his little body. This was slowly cutting off his nerves and making his front legs slowly paralyzed. The vet assured me he was not in any pain, said he was healthy weight, and that although he was not releasable, he could live a happy life in captivity. Lucky had very specific white markings on his ears and we would see him from time to time wandering outside, bigger each time, and looking good. Little stayed with me, well loved. He lasted a year, not to bad for a disbabled opossum. He is buried in a giant pot under a rubber plant as unique as he was. I cried and cried. He had been a wildlife ambassadore for my classes and my beloved companion.
I miss him.

Opossums usually live about two years in the wild and up to three years in captivity. They are not legal pets and require wildlife permits. Although many people don't like them they play an important part in our environment. If you see a baby opossum don't assume it needs help. A little opossum between half a pound and a pound is capable of being on it's own. All they need is fir and teeth. If they are smaller but look healthy, no worries, mom is usually not far behind.

A special thanks to Margo, my neighbor and friend. She is a retired nurse who takes care of all my rescues when I'm at school. Thank You.

My Story: The personal uniqueness of me

By now I am sure you know how I feel about animals but there are many other parts of me that I decided it was ok to share. My last website only showed the professional me. The hard worker, the animal lover, and the perfect pictures. The fact is no one is perfect and I have learned that by sharing all of who I am has actually helped other people accept themselves. So here I am unedited without make-up in all my photos.

I am tough on the outside. Growing up I was always that way, independant and totally self sufficient. I've had a job since I was ten when I started washing dishes (no not legal but I lived in the mountains and no one cared). I am a "fixer" and always want to help everybody. Worst of all I am a control freak. I do not wish to control others but have this absolute need to always be in control of myself and my household. It's because of this I don't drink and have never tried drugs. The strongest drink I ever have is coffee, preferably Kona.
 
I barely passed high school and I flunked out of college when I was 18 as a Musical Theatre Major at an Oregon college. I Moved to California to live with some friends of mine where I lived until I joined the Army. I spent 6 years ADSW for the CAANG. At 24 I married my beloved husband Cole while he was a senior in college and I was still in the Army. When I got out of the Army, with my husbands support, I revived my acting career for the next six years (the acting stories require their own website - Giggle).
That is where my story above starts.

My husband is wonderful and patient. He has to be to live with me. He never tells me I can't do something and although he thinks some of the things I like or do are wierd, he loves me anyway. His biggest complaint with me is that he is always tripping over my shoes.

I am addicted to anything Hawaii and try to visit as often as financially possible (about once a year) My house is covered in Hawaii photos and fabrics. For my birthdays I throw luaus. (see picture aove) I Think Hawaii is the most peaceful, beautiful place on earth that I have ever visited.

I think I am better at things than I really am, because of this I am always clumsily getting into trouble or hurt and Cole always saves me. I go too fast or not at all. My favorite color is blue but I like anything that makes me happy. I have a bright yellow jeep with red hibiscus flower stripes. I like to consider myself a vegetarian but love beef and have a strange fondness for SPAM. I love to cook and hate to clean. I like to be super organized at some things but am a slob in some areas. I battle with letting my past go and have big dreams for my future. I don't let roadblocks stop me, just detour me. I believe I can do anything.

I have learned sometimes you have to ask for help, you can't control everything, and teamwork is fun!

I have battled my weight my entire life. I like to eat for every reason. I don't like to exercise but I like how it makes me feel. I have gained 35 lbs since I quit acting and went back to school. I have every excuse in the book, but this year I'm throwing them out, and starting to run again even if I walk part of it. I run slower then I walk. I am all legs at 5'11" tall. I am aiming at a half marathon this year, and a mini tri for my 40th birthday after graduation. I love to compete with myself. I like running official races as long as I don't come in dead last. I usually get passed by little old ladies. I like a sense of accomplishment.
 
I am determined, driven and lazy depending on the topic. I don't like negativity or pessamists. I struggle with little things some days and fight being overwhelmed at times but never give up. Going to school with 20 year olds can make me feel old until I realize I am just as amazing. I am not an A+ student but keep aiming for it.

My favorite TV shows are Hawaii 5 0, Castle, the Big Bang Theory, and Dog The Bounty Hunter. I am a closet Bachelor watcher and love to read between semesters.

I am a proud member of the Dogpound, the Dog The Bounty Hunter fan club. I have made great friends and learned a lot about myself. I am proud to call Beth Chapman my friend. She gives people second chances like I do with animals. You can follow her on twitter @MrsdogC and they have a great website at www.dogthebountyhunter.com Every living thing deserves a comeback.

I Love Friends! My Best Friends are Lisa and Margo and Dusty. They are always there for me.

My Dear Friend David Chan Designed my logo and is my reality check when I need one. Thanks!

I love all animals. I specialize in Reptiles and large Cats but have worked with many primates including great apes as well as a large variety of other species. I have a soft spot for whales and opossums. I am fascinated with Australia and it's fauna. It amazes me everyday the variety of animals I have been privledged to work with. A special shout out to my Favorite Zookeeper and friend Nicole Miller.

I love to challenge myself. I hiked kokohead in Aug 2011. Next up 10K!

I am a redhead by choice because I think it suits me. I talk a lot.........nuff said.

Below are some of my personal photos, animals, trips, and events I love.
Family: Husband Cole, Cats Cleo (all black) and Tucker (B&W), my snake Irwin. Enjoy!