Thursday, May 24, 2012

Missing the Crocodile Hunter


Steve Irwin was a completely wild and crazy Australian crocodile guy, yet it was that crazy edge that made him and his Animal Planet show so watchable!  Together with his wife Teri, he explored the wild with a childlike rapture and tremendous enthusiasm for the creatures they found.  Steve would get so excited at the thought of holding a deadly Boa Constrictor or getting as close to dangerous crocs as possible that he was like a kid on Christmas morning who had just found the greatest gift ever!  “Ah, look at ‘er!  Isn’t she gorgeous!?!” he would shout, holding a big, ugly lizard that was so frightened, its claws were digging deep into Steve’s arm.  When he found a den of very poisonous rattlers, he would go nuts with exhilaration, and actually CLIMB INTO THE DEN WITH THEM!  He would then climb back out a few seconds later holding a rattler by the tail, with the serpent twisting around and trying to bite him in the face!  “Ah, look at ‘er!  She’s so angry!  Isn’t she just adorable!?!”
     Teri was more normal, and much more laid back.  Perhaps she helped to keep his feet on the ground somewhat.
     There are three very positive things I liked about his show, and these three things could be the reasons I found Steve Irwin to be a role model.  First, it’s obvious that Steve loved Teri very, very much, and she loved him back.  Secondly, he loved nature, and that overwhelming love of nature was infectious.  Thirdly, he just loved what he did for a living, and took great pride in it.  If only we were all that lucky!

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