if only...

Kaitlyn and I were talking today, about giraffes (I don't actually remember what got us onto this topic) and as some of you may know, and if you don't this is an essential tidbit of information about me that you SHOULD know (so PAY ATTENTION!!), I have had a dream since about grade 6...er... 6th grade for all you American readers, to ride a giraffe. Yep, that's right. I mean, riding any sort of exotic African animal would be cool but giraffe is definitely at the top of my list. So we were wondering if people do this, and if not, why? are giraffes endangered? violent? and then we got onto the topic of baby giraffes being born and dropping like 5 feet to the ground and maybe they didn't often survive this, making them endangered...so I had to do some googling.

I found out that people don't ride giraffes...I mean, there were some pics but I am pretty sure they are photoshopped...and they aren't endangered - well some subspecies are but as a whole, I guess the giraffe population is doing okay. The mothers will violently kick predators to protect their young but even when the males 'fight' each other, usually no one gets hurt. Oh and I didn't read anything that indicated that the babies are hurt in any way, actually they can stand within half and hour and run within 10 hours!

cutest little mommy-baby EVER

Other interesting facts:
- they walk moving both right legs and then both left
- drinking water is dangerous because of the position they have to put themselves in - easy to attack. Fortunately they can survive several days without drinking due to the moisture from their food
- way back when people thought they were a cross between a camel and a leopard...however that works
- their "horns" are really there to protect their heads not to fight
- babies can grow an inch a day!
- people poach giraffes for their hides, meat and tails - that's right, tails. In many African cultures they are used as good luck charms, fly-swatters and thread...
- no two giraffes have the same pattern of spots

So basically, giraffes are AWESOME and I love them and I still really want to ride one though I don't think it is going to happen. God is seriously so amazing! I mean, just looking at the world around us is inspiring enough but when you do even a little research into something, the details and magnificent intricacies of the earth and universe are astounding. I am constantly becoming more and more in awe of our amazing God.

partially albino giraffe!!