Working at Australia Zoo

Photos

Following the debacle on the Sunshine Coast, not much happened in the following week except for being assigned to easier jobs at the zoo and Ava worrying about me. The girl is a mama bear; on the first day back after the incident, she made sure I didn't have to lift a finger and had everyone help me. Things quickly returned to normal, and I was back at the zoo. I was in for a surprise this time. It was just another ordinary Saturday at the zoo. I had just finished changing the tigers' bedding when Mike approached me.

"Hey, T, can I borrow you for a second?"

"Sure, Mike, what's up?"

"Robert and Chandler want to come in and get some promotion for the tigers, so Robert's going to bring his camera, so I just need you to do some interaction with the tigers; really get them to interact with you; maybe a few hugs and kisses; just images that show the tigers in a positive light; can you do that?"

"Sure, no problem." I finished cleaning the habitat quickly and stored the cleaning tools just in time, because Robert and Chandler had just pulled up when I returned. Robert was the first to stop me.

"Hey T" 

"Hello, Robert."

"We're all set."

"The tigers are all ready to go; just tell me what you want me to do." We walked into the habitat, and for the time being, we were only photographing two tigers. Ravi is the male, and Coco is the female. Robert was currently setting up his camera, while Chandler and I stood off to the side, waiting to be called upon. When Robert was finished, he approached Chandler and me.

"Okay, I just want to get some shots of them on their own, you know, to show everyone that they're just relaxed and normal, okay?" The next 15 minutes or so were spent with Robert photographing the girls, some lying down and some standing up.

"Okay, guys, can you start throwing balls to them and just interact with them?" And so, we did; the next 30 minutes were spent playing with them, cuddling them, and generally having the time of my life. Robert looked at me.

"Okay, for the last picture, can I have you sit down on the ground, and then I want each tiger sitting on each side of you?" The final image took a little longer to set up than the others, mostly because it was nearly impossible to get both tigers to cooperate at the same time, but we got it in the end. And, as I turned my head to look at Coco, she leant forwards and planted a lick on my nose.

"Aww, that's a real ripper right there." Robert and Chandler left after that last photograph. Right on cue for my coffee break. I offered to make them both a cup of tea, but Chandler declined, stating that he needed to return to assist Bindi with the giraffes, though Robert agreed.

"Chandler, will you make sure this reaches my mother?" That would be fantastic, thank you." Chandler took the camera from Robert.

"Sure." With these final words, Chandler returns the gold cart to the zoo's entrance. I and Robert were left to find the nearest staff room.

"I heard from Bindi that you got hit with a surfboard; how are you?"

"Oh, I'm fine; I don't even feel it anymore." We spent the next 20 minutes talking about our interests, such as how Robert enjoys photography and is a talented artist. Really, he's such a down-to-earth guy; he's always so upbeat, calm, and confident, but then again, so are all the Irwins, and it's not just for TV; they're genuinely nice and welcoming people. Mike and Bindi were out of breath as they rushed through the door, so we must have been talking for longer than we thought.

"I've looked everywhere for you. Robert's mother wishes to speak with you about your photographs."

"Tara, it's tigers' feeding time. I've prepared the meat; all you have to do is deliver it to them." Both Robert and I exchanged shocked looks. Is it true that we had spent so much time together? It didn't feel like it. We both stood up and tossed the empty styrofoam cups into the garbage can.

"It was a pleasure to spend time with you, Tara. It's something we should do again."

"I'd like to have that." We both rushed out of the hut and went in opposite directions.

"Oh, to have been young."

"What?"   Mike smiles as he looks at me.

"You and Robert appeared to be getting along." He laughed at my perplexed expression.

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"Shots, shots, shots!" Ava was shouting above the din of the crowd. It was a Saturday evening, and the bar Ava had chosen was packed. Ava, Daniel, Max, Holly, Jack, Abby, Peter, Lando, and I are all out for students night at one of the local bars. Students night is when you can get half-priced drinks if you're a student and have your student ID. Everyone was a little tipsy by this point. Abby was resting her head on my shoulder.

"T, we're going to have to find you a man." I burst out laughing. My mind is foggy.

"Oh, please," she says, "why would I need a man when I have my girls?"

"Yeah, screw men; who needs them?" Holly, to my right, laughs. "I now have Abby on one shoulder and Holly on the other, and I wrap my arms around the girls." Jack, who is holding Ava, laughs at us.

"You can say whatever you want, but I find my man very attractive and satisfying." Around the table, there were whistles and catcalls. Jack gave a delighted grin.

"No, Tar, but seriously, have you ever had a boyfriend?"

"Of course, I have."

"Well, then, why don't you let me find you a cute guy?"

"Because I want to keep my first priority, and a guy is just going to be a distraction."

"Yes, but they're a really good distraction." Ava and the other girls both nodded.

"If I meet the right guy," she says, "sure."

I changed the name of the book. Sorry if there was any confusion. The new title better reflects the content and theme of the book, and I hope it will attract more readers. If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out to me. Thank you all for reading my story. I hope it brought you joy and inspired you in some way. If you have any feedback or comments, please feel free to share them with me. I love positive feedback and would love to read any ideas you have. However, I also welcome constructive criticism, as it helps me improve and grow. Your input is valuable to me, and I appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts with me. -Taya