Remember to clean behind the ears!

The picture of this baby elephant belongs to our friend Dawn Emerson, who snapped it in October 2008 at an elephant barn in Amber near Jaipur in Rajastahan. When older, this elephant will carry tourists up the steep windy road to the Amber fort. There is much discussion about the mistreatment of elephants worldwide and especially in India, and certainly no one enjoys seeing the chains around this little guy's feet. One thing is definite though, the expression on this keeper's face is one of true devotion.

Tapir and Friends Animal Store has a wide selection of elephant gift items and plastic elephants for sale. Perhaps you will enjoy having a pet smaller and more mangeable than the baby above. By the way you might like our elephant drinking cups, not suitable for elephants, but clearly wonderful for your young ones.

by Lee (photo may not be used w/o permission)

This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.

Ridin' high?

Many tourists to India are able to indulge their fantasy by seizing the opportunity to ride on an elephant. Below the Amber Fort, in Rajasthan, near Jaipur, this elephant awaits its next rider from Iowa. Our pachyderm seems friendly enough and patient. With some hay and a bit of sugar, I'm sure he's prepared to be ridden by a nervous gringo living out his "bucket list".

Tapir and Friends Animal Store has a fine collection of plastic elephants for sale, both plastic African elephants and Asian elephants. Our realistic plastic elephants are too small to ride but certainly make good examples in dioramas for school projects or as keepsakes for adults and children. The store carries plastic elephant drinking cups and elephant jewelry as well.

by Lee

                                                 This blog is sponsored by Tapir and Friends Animal Store.