Inspire. Support. Love.

As a parent, I believe it is my job to help my son be the best he can be. To inspire him to follow his passions. To support him in his choices. To love him for having the drive and aspiration to learn more about the world around us.

Meeting Zookeeper Rick - April 12, 2012

We just spent three days in San Diego on a mini-vacation for Spring Break and aside from being exhausted from all the walking, I came to a realization. Not really a big surprise, but one that I know now I must support.

My son has a deep love and compassion for animals. He thrives on learning more about them and sharing his knowledge with others.

He respects the animals and their environments. Sometimes, to my embarrassment, he actually corrects tourists at the zoo.

The other day there was a group of kids screaming inside the panda exhibit and he said, "Mom, can't they read the signs? It says to be quiet in here."

He started to get really upset and proceeded to tell the kids to be quiet. During another instance, some people referred to the meerkats as prairie dogs - big mistake. Yep, he corrected them ... while I looked the other way.

This got me thinking. When did his love for animals start?

Was it when he was 10 months old and visited the Santa Ana Zoo? Was it playing with Little People Noah's Ark animals? When he was 2 years old and came eye to eye with a turkey? The Halloween when he begged to be a giraffe? Or maybe it was when he was 2 1/2 and got an African animals puzzle from Grandma? I'm really not sure.

He was a little over 2 years old when he had his first visit to the San Diego Zoo. Little did I know the impression this made on him and how it would change his life.

Dylan's first visit to the San Diego Zoo - 2005

His love for animals continued to grow. So much, that for his 4th birthday he had this ...

Just look at the excitement on his face! Now, I was cringing when the tarantula was placed on his head and when the snake was around his neck, but he was in heaven. He was in his element.

We have been members of the San Diego Zoological Society since 2005 and nothing makes my son happier than visiting what he calls his other home. We don't use a map because he has memorized where everything is. The look on his face when he comes eye to eye with an animal is something that I will never get tired of seeing. This may sound strange, but he actually talks to the animals and they are drawn to him. While some people may stop at an exhibit long enough to take a few pictures, he sits on the ground and takes in every move the animals makes, every behavior, and from what I have observed becomes one with the animal.

From climbing out of the stroller to see Sonny to hanging out with the meerkats ...

Zookeeper Rick helped me realize that I must do everything I can to give my son what he needs. Ever since he was 3 years old, he has said that he wants to be a zookeeper at the San Diego Zoo when he grows up.

I have no doubt in my mind that he will be a zookeeper, working along side of Rick one day.

What is your child passionate about? Do you inspire and support them in what they love?