Wonderful Wally Wanders West

Some people have support dogs or cats. Some people take medications, meditate, exercise, have a drink or two, listen to music, or eat chocolate. All have merit. All are legitimate ways to alleviate anxiety and depression. Until a couple of weeks ago, I preferred to lay on the couch and have my mother wait on me, hand and foot. However, I now have a new source of relaxation. I was down in Pennsylvania several months back, and happened to run into Wally. 

Alligators are typically pretty vicious and are capable of removing body parts in a snap. In fact, they exert 2000 pounds per square inch, over three times the force of a lion. But Wally is different. He is a trained therapy alligator and underneath that cold-blooded, scaly exterior lies a heart of gold. According to AP News, on May 1st, Joie Henney lost his beloved Wally while the two were vacationing in Georgia. I heard the news and rushed down to Georgia as soon as I could to assist in the search.  I lost a few limbs combing through the swamps to question his extended family.  Strangely, they were not forthcoming about his whereabouts, leading me to conclude that either they didn’t know or they were just distracted by my awesome deliciousness. 

I now literally have to be waited on by mother hand and foot. And tragically, Wally, the gentle alligator, remains at large. I hope he is somewhere comforting small children and rescuing wayward kittens from trees. Knowing Wally, I’m sure he is. Wonderful Wally Wanders West