I ignited a spark and now I want more

After almost a year of talking about conservation and writing about how we can all make a difference, I finally saw that spark in someone's eye. You know, that spark you see when something you said or did made another person think hey, I can do this too.

The best part about this story - the spark I saw was in a child's eye.

A few weeks before Christmas a friend of mine told me that her son Riley (5 yrs old) saw a World Wildlife Commercial about saving the tigers and that he wanted to help save them, but he didn't want to have to touch them. When I heard this I knew what I had to do.

I would adopt Riley a tiger from the San Diego Zoo and give it to him as a Christmas gift. This way he could help save the tigers.


Riley was so excited when we gave him his tiger. We told him that his name was Christopher from the San Diego Zoo and by adopting Christopher he was helping to save the tigers.

Now Riley has a very special friend named Bear. Bear has been with Riley since the day he was born. Bear goes everywhere with Riley and there was a day not too long ago that Riley thought he had lost Bear. His Dad captured this beautiful image filled with emotion and a child's love for an animal. So you are probably thinking what does Bear have to do with the tiger? Well, I had to let you know just how special Bear was for you to understand how special it was when I found out that Christopher (tiger) was traveling alongside Bear.

Not only was Christopher hanging out with Riley and Bear, but Riley was telling people about his Mommy's friend who adopted the tiger for him so that he could help save the tigers. A 5 year old boy creating awareness about the plight of the tigers as a result of something I did ... you bet I'm on cloud nine!

Oh, and he sleeps with Riley too.

I've said before that educating children will change the world and when a child starts telling his friends and family about saving the tigers, well that just makes me more confident that I am doing something right. Riley brought Christopher to school today for share day. This, this is what it's all about.

iPhone pictures from today

When I shared the news about Riley and his newly adopted tiger with a friend of mine he said, "Be careful ... That feeling, the one you got when you saw that spark ignite because of you, it's addictive."

Man was he right - I love it and want more! Every time Riley's parents post a new picture and I see Christopher right there with him I get that feeling all over again. Riley is making a difference for the tigers by telling his friends about his adopted tiger and I am so proud of him.

This is what I want from life - I want to make a difference and inspire others to do the same.



Thank you Desi and Tammy for providing the pictures.