I Love Dinosaurs and Other Animals!

I have never grown up when it comes to being fascinated by animals, either prehistoric or still with us... or maybe, even, lurking in our imaginations. This article is an index to my articles on dinosaurs, the ancient beasts that paid my rent for several years, but it also includes articles on my little friend in gray feathers whom you see sitting on my shoulder, as well as some animals that may or may not even be real.

Dinosaurs I've Known and Loved

You can imagine how thrilled I was, some years ago, to get a job at a dinosaur theme park (more). My days were spent in the company of old friends such as Tyrannosaurus Rex and newcomers (at least, they were new to me) such as Stygimoloch. I also spent time with young would-be paleontologists, whose enthusiasm reflected my own.

I remember one proud but disappointed father telling me a story. One day, before his son had ever spoken a word, the boy began to make a word beginning with d. Of course, his father assumed the boy's first word would be daddy, but it wasn't. It was... dinosaur!

Are Chinese Dinosaurs Dragons or Fakes?
Coprolites: The Joys of Dinosaur Poop
Dimetrodon: The Non-Dinosaur With a Sail
Dinosaur Fun with Iguanodon
Dinosaur World Brings Dinosaurs to Florida, Kentucky and Texas
The Dinosaurs Are Coming--Again!
How Do Dinosaurs Get Their Names?
Recipes to Appeal to Dinosaur-Lovers of All Ages
Spinoaurus: The Dinosaur With a Sail
Triceratops and Dilophosaurus: Two Dinosaurs that the Movies Mistreated
Tyrannosaurus Rex: Fun Facts About a Serious Predator
What People Want to Know about Dinosaurs
What was a Dinosaur's Lifespan?

Animals in Our Times

Animals don't have to be extinct to be fascinating. In fact, they do not even have to be real. Despite many sightings, the existence of the mysterious big cats of Great Britain has never been scientifically verified. I am sad to report that the monkeys that escaped and were living the good life in Polk County, Florida, have all been accounted for, either captured or killed.

An animal that sometimes forgets that it is an animal, such as my parrot (E.T. in My Home and the accompanying slideshow A Day in the Life of an African Gray Parrot) Dory, is even more fascinating. By the way, the article on him includes an MP3 recording of one of his greetings.

The Beast of Bodmin Moor: The Mysterious Cats of Britain
The Beast of Gévaudan
The Black Bear Facts
A Day in the Life of an African Gray Parrot (slideshow)
E.T. in My Home
The Florida Black Bear
Fun Facts about the Silky Anteater
KinAesthetic Therapy Specialists (KATS)
My Cold-Blooded Buddhist Teacher
Of Snakes and Politicians
The Wild Monkeys of Central Florida

My articles about animals are written with respect for them and gratitude for what they have brought to my life. As the author Anatole France (more) said, "Until one has loved an animal a part of one's soul remains unawakened."