My 89 Year Old Father Rode an Elephant!
@DeborahDiane (40848)
Laguna Woods, California
January 9, 2018 1:07pm CST
My niece lives in Orlando and there is an elephant sanctuary about an hour away from her home.
When my sister and brother-in-law decided to visit their daughter in Florida, they took my 89 year father with them. They visited the elephant sanctuary, enjoyed a fascinating tour and lecture about the elephants, and then they all were allowed to take a ride.
I was amazed when I saw the photos of my father riding an elephant by himself! When I talked to him later on the phone, he was so pleased with himself and told me all about the elephants.
I'm glad to see him doing so well, after the death of my mother last summer. They had been married nearly 69 years!
20 people like this
23 responses
@WorDazza (15826)
• Manchester, England
10 Jan 18
@DeborahDiane i suspect I might have to travel slightly longer than hour to find my nearest accommodating elephant though!!
2 people like this
@DeborahDiane (40848)
• Laguna Woods, California
10 Jan 18
@WorDazza - I should make that my goal, too! I've never ridden an elephant, so now I have to catch up to my father!
2 people like this
At 89, it looks like an exploit
.@topffer (42155)
• France
10 Jan 18
@DeborahDiane We need first to reach 89 before looking for an elephant
.
.3 people like this
@louievill (28846)
• Philippines
9 Jan 18
Your father must be in real good health to be able to do such a feat at his age
6 people like this
@DeborahDiane (40848)
• Laguna Woods, California
10 Jan 18
@louievill - Yes, my Dad appears to be in pretty good health, especially considering he has smoked for nearly 75 years! I'm glad he is getting to do some fun things, after taking care of my mother for so many years!
2 people like this
@RasmaSandra (98026)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
9 Jan 18
Well good for your dad and many blessings to him.
3 people like this
@DeborahDiane (40848)
• Laguna Woods, California
10 Jan 18
@RasmaSandra - Thank you so much for the blessings for my Dad.
2 people like this
@DeborahDiane (40848)
• Laguna Woods, California
10 Jan 18
@Kandae11 - I'm not sure, but I rode a camel one time and they had a little platform with stairs which made it possible to step onto the back of the camel. I imagine they had something similar for the elephant.
2 people like this
@DeborahDiane (40848)
• Laguna Woods, California
10 Jan 18
@Kandae11 - I'm not sure, but I rode a camel one time and they had a little platform with stairs which made it possible to step onto the back of the camel. I imagine they had something similar for the elephant.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40848)
• Laguna Woods, California
10 Jan 18
@Daelii - Thanks! Yes, it is wonderful that they had such a long marriage. Now, I am happy to see my Dad enjoying his life, despite the loss of my mother. He took care of her for many years.
1 person likes this
@PatZAnthony (14749)
• Charlotte, North Carolina
9 Jan 18
It sounds like your father is physically sound and able to do things that can be so much fun!
It is amazing that some couples get to share that many years together before one departs.
3 people like this
@DeborahDiane (40848)
• Laguna Woods, California
10 Jan 18
@PatZAnthony - I have to admit that I am amazed that my Dad remains in such good health. He really seems to be enjoying this stage of his life!
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40848)
• Laguna Woods, California
10 Jan 18
@jaboUK - Yes, most of the elephant sanctuaries exist to care for elephants which were once part of a circus. I understand that these elephants were pretty old and none of them had ever been bred. They are just in this place to be cared for and live out their lives. The Ringling Brothers Circus was the big, famous circus in our country but, at one time, there were a lot of little traveling circuses and the elephants in those circuses were often not treated very well. Often, the traveling circuses went bankrupt and someone had to take over the care of the animals.
2 people like this
@jaboUK (64346)
• United Kingdom
10 Jan 18
@DeborahDiane Thanks for that info Deborah.
2 people like this
@DeborahDiane (40848)
• Laguna Woods, California
10 Jan 18
@JudyEv - It was a real thrill for him. I think it was the most exciting thing he has done in a long time ... except maybe for the time he won $1400 in the casino! LOL
2 people like this
@DeborahDiane (40848)
• Laguna Woods, California
10 Jan 18
@JudyEv - My sister has also made it her life's goal to keep my Dad busy doing things. She has taken him to casinos, to pet cows, and to do all types of other things. In a couple of weeks, we are all going to meet in Las Vegas. I'm so glad she is keeping my Dad so busy!
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382259)
• Rockingham, Australia
10 Jan 18
@DeborahDiane I used to love coming up with something a bit special for my Mum. It didn't take much to make her beam with pleasure.
2 people like this
@DeborahDiane (40848)
• Laguna Woods, California
10 Jan 18
@Shiva49 - Thank you for telling me this. I will have to tell my Dad how amazing it is that he got to do this!
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40848)
• Laguna Woods, California
10 Jan 18
That is interesting! Since you know about elephants, I am especially pleased that you think this is amazing. I was so proud to see my husband try this.
2 people like this
@Shiva49 (28387)
• Singapore
10 Jan 18
@DeborahDiane Despite all the training elephants become unruly in no time. It requires a deft and comforting hand to bring them under control. That is why I think this is not ordinary stuff! siva
2 people like this
@DeborahDiane (40848)
• Laguna Woods, California
10 Jan 18
@Hannihar - Yes, they were married a very long time. I was amazed that my father was able to ride that elephant! I would have loved to have been there when he did it!
@dgobucks226 (37621)
•
10 Jan 18
Such a terrific action shot Deborah-Diane! Tell your Dad I think the circus is hiring 89 years young!
Tell your Dad I think the circus is hiring 89 years young!2 people like this
@DeborahDiane (40848)
• Laguna Woods, California
10 Jan 18
Ha ha! Yes, maybe my Dad is ready to try out for the circus! LOL 
1 person likes this
@JSAph8888 (949)
• Philippines
10 Jan 18
This is a nice photo! It is obvious that your father had a great time while riding in an elephant.
2 people like this
@DeborahDiane (40848)
• Laguna Woods, California
10 Jan 18
My Dad loved it. It was all he talked about the next time I called him. What a wonderful experience!
1 person likes this
@JSAph8888 (949)
• Philippines
11 Jan 18
@DeborahDiane Maybe you should take him to elephant sanctuary more often. Looks like riding in an elephant is his happy pill.
@Blondie2222 (28610)
• United States
11 Jan 18
That is a great photo and I'm glad your father is enjoying life and get to experience these things.
1 person likes this
@Blondie2222 (28610)
• United States
12 Jan 18
@DeborahDiane That is great. I plan to take care of my parents when they get old and need the help.
1 person likes this
@Blondie2222 (28610)
• United States
12 Jan 18
@DeborahDiane Yeah that is nice of your sister. I would do anything for my family.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40848)
• Laguna Woods, California
12 Jan 18
@Blondie2222 - That is kind of you. My sister takes care of my father. I know he really appreciates it.
1 person likes this
@averygirl72 (38848)
• Philippines
10 Jan 18
That's cool to ride an elephant. Glad it is safe and he must have enjoyed it
2 people like this
@DeborahDiane (40848)
• Laguna Woods, California
10 Jan 18
Yes, he enjoyed it very much. I'm glad my father got to do this.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40848)
• Laguna Woods, California
10 Jan 18
@jstory07 - I was pretty amazed when I saw the pictures. I never expected him to be doing something like that at this age!
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40848)
• Laguna Woods, California
11 Jan 18
@YrNemo - I think they had a platform with steps so he could walk up on the platform and get on the elephant from there. I was impressed that he did this, too!
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40848)
• Laguna Woods, California
12 Jan 18
@YrNemo - Thanks! I thought it was pretty incredible, too!
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40848)
• Laguna Woods, California
11 Jan 18
Yes, that elephant is like a mountain!
1 person likes this
