Om du inte har sett den här videon förut så lägg en minut på den!! It´s really touching!!

A couple videos to warm the cockles of your cold and tired heart. Maybe even the rest of it, too.

First, a story of nurturing, separation, and the enduring power of love. And of shopping for wildlife at a department store. Money can buy you love: Lion Love.

(Full ending with original soundtrack here.)

For something a little less involved/narrative-based, put your eyes on Keepon, the hugably cute dancing robot that made a splash on the YouTube back in 2007 and was subsequently co-opted by researchers who use it to study autism and other important stuff. But its research value aside, and whether or not you’ve seen it before, it can’t fail to light up your day just a little.

For a new twist I suggest you have a friend G-Chat you the link so that you can have the video run mini-sized in the corner while you trudge through your inbox. NB: The song is great, but Keepon’s squishy moves work their magic even with the volume off.

And of course, I can always rely on the E Trade Baby. Holy smokes, these get me every freakin’ time.

We all need our hearts melted a little bit. For me, animals do it every time.

Especially this treasure captured by photographer Norbert Rosing when a polar bear stumbled into his camp and encountered his sled dogs:

I’ve been watching this on repeat. It’s the perfect little pick-me-up.

Also, I know this is old, but it also makes me cry:

And, because baby polar bears are the cutest things in the world:

The song is friggin’ annoying and gets in my head, so I always mute it and just watch Knut be his cute self!

For the husky lovers among us:

Nothing like a little animal cuteness to break up the monotony of the day!

Today I wanted to share with everyone one of the most beautiful and touching stories I’ve ever heard. In 1969, two young Australians, John Rendall and Ace Bourke saw a lion cub for sale at Harrods in London. Seeing how terrible its life condition was in the small cage in which it was trapped, they decided to buy the cub and raise it themselves. They cared for Christian (the name they gave to their lion) in London until it was one year old. They crossed paths with  George Adamson, a Kenyan conservationist who helped them reintroduce Christian into the wild. After a whole year in the Kora National Reserve, Christian was head of his own pride, with two females and one other male – he had been well integrated back into the wild. Rendall and Bourke decided they wanted to come and visit him, regardless of the fact that Adamson said the lion would most probably not recognize them. Yet… That is not what happened. Watch the videos and you’ll see…

It is such a moving and touching story I was nearly brought to tears.

True love knows no limits and friendships last a lifetime.

Be brave and follow your heart, like Rory!

What is the most touching story you’ve ever heard?

Do you know a love story like none you’ve ever seen or heard before?

Share it with us!

Thanks for reading

Emilie T.

Click here to buy

Put the heart-warming Story of Christian the Lion in someone’s stocking this year.  If you missed this incredible film on The Today Show and Oprah, it’s not too late to get a DVD of your own.  This riveting all true love story is about a lion raised around humans, introduced to the wild African plains, and later reunited with the people who raised him. This is an 88-minute tale of man and beast. Plus as a bonus you’ll also get The Great Dan Patch, a 95-minute film about one of the greatest race horses that ever lived. So to recap: Two movies on one DVD for just $14.99!

I haven’t blogged for so long, it’s nice to be back .:) This post goes to all my friends, its guaranteed worth watching.

Dear Mother and Father,

How are you guys? Have either of you thought about Christmas yet? I have. I think about it every day. I look forward to seeing both of your shiny (glowing?) faces. Speaking of Christmas, I’ve thought of something you guys could get me a little early this year. As you know, I’ve been struggling a little bit – I was caught crying under my desk at the office yesterday – and I’ve been looking for something to get me out of this funk. Well, I think I’ve come up with the perfect solution. I would like you to buy me a lion. I was watching this video and got all teary thinking about having a companion a savage and powerful lion be powerless to the might of our love for each other.

Now, before you guys say this is just another one of my stupid ideas (I still think a water gun that shoots ice cubes is a fantastic idea and I’m sorry if my initial start up estimates were more conservative than what was really needed. I’m not pointing any fingers, but you were the guys who thought getting Milton Glaser to make the logo was “overkill”), let me explain why this idea would be different.

This idea isn’t going to cost you a thing. Well, virtually “not a thing.” Actually, it’s going to cost about $14k. Keep in mind, that’s a fraction of what I could spend. I’ve researched high and low and found a man in Flatbush who is selling his lion cub for about 1/3 of what I would have to spend if I sought the same cub from different sources. All I need is the money in cash, to ask zero questions and to bring something called, “the stealth of god.” At least that’s how it translates into English. I might be translating it wrong so I’m bringing a backpack filled with dice (it’s the only other thing I think “dios” could mean).

Of course I’ll need some supplies as well so we should just round the initial investment to an even $30k – did you know you have to have lion cages custom built out of really strong metal?

While there won’t be any monetary return on your investment, there will be a substantial return in love. And secrecy. I don’t think I need to remind you about the time Dad yelled at me in the 6th grade for picking my nose too hard. I wouldn’t want “certain departments of child protection” to find out about that. I also wouldn’t want anyone, especially the local hospital, to find out that the brownies mom and I made for their bake sale had Crisco in them instead of vegetable oil, would you? I think our secrets are best left hidden deep, deep in ourselves.

If nothing more, I ask you to do this because I’ve asked for very little in my life. Besides college, those three graduate degrees and that (what was I thinking) PhD, I’ve never asked you for a dime that wasn’t used for rent, business start up costs or the occasional rare Star Wars memorabilia. What I need now is to have the love and devotion of an animal that could maul me at any moment – it’s the only love I can know is sincere.

Please don’t tell my younger sister that you’re going to provide me with any funds or that I’m getting a lion. She’s very spoiled and would want a lion for herself (can you imagine Katie with a lion? That thing would get one view of her phone bill and rip her to shreds, right?)

In closing, I’d like to impart a quote I tell myself every morning: “To know yourself in the essence of madness is the only true nature of watching things grow in a way that can be sufficiently satisfying to the individual that we all strive to be forever without understanding the true thoughts we hold true to each moment of our lives in the realm.” It rambles a bit, but I’m pretty sure the meaning can be distilled clearly to: Get me a fucking lion.

Thank you. I will name my lion after you both – FarMom.

You’re loving son, you’re good-little boy, you’re “little captain”,

Carl

Jag som aldrig blir impad av nånting som har med djur att göra; ge mig ett kramigt lejon så gråter jag en skvätt.

Uppenbarligen.

//Pang

Mutts

Foi através do programa da Oprah que tive conhecimento desta linda história de ternura e cumplicidade entre um animal selvagem e dois homens. Que isso pode acontecer já não é novidade, mas o facto do leão se lembrar dos mesmos, após uma separação de um ano, faz-nos pensar que os afectos falam sempre mais alto. 

Baldricman just linked to this video on Facebook and I was completely blown away at the interaction bettween Kevin Richardson and this pack of lions.

From the YouTube post:

Kevin Richardson 34, met his first lion 11 years ago and was hooked. Kevin shows Sky’s Emma Hurd his pride of lions who he has hand-reared at his vast reserve in South Africa. The big cats treat him like one of the pride. As the gate swung open the three lions pounced. Powerful young males, within seconds they had wrestled the human intruder – Kevin Richardson – to the ground.

This reminds me of this heart-warming video of Christian the lion from so many years ago.

Well, as you might have known by some of my earlier posts, I am completely obsessed with my new SLR camera.  I don’t know how I survived so long without it when I’ve always been such a photography person.  Recently I printed about 200 photos of my recent shots from Eau Claire and New York and I’m putting them in a book. I’m hoping I can somehow incorporate my photography into future career. Either way, I love doing it, so there is no harm in that.

Also, if you haven’t seen this YouTube clip, you’ll never believe it.  I was stunned the first time I saw it.  I never expected the ending to end that way. Enjoy.

“John Rendall e Anthony ‘Ace’ Bourke encontraram um filhote de leão à venda no departamento de animais exóticos em Londres e, comovidos com suas condições e futuro, decidiram comprá-lo.O tamanho cada vez maior de Christian e o custo para mantê-lo fizeram com que eles percebessem que não poderiam mantê-lo em Londres por muito tempo.

Então, pediram ajuda de George Adamson, um conservacionista Kenyano. Adamson concordou em ajudá-los na adaptação de Christian para a vida selvagem na Reserva Nacional de Kora.Após um ano estabeleceu-se na região de Kora, tendo Christian como o líder do bando iniciado por ‘Boy’(leão que veio a morrer).Quando Rendall e Bourke foram informados por Adamson do êxito do resultado em 1971, eles viajaram para o Kenya para visitar Christian.Adamson alertou Rendall e Bourke para a possibilidade de Christian não se recordar deles, embora tivessem sido avisados por especialistas sobre o possivel perigo do leão não os reconhecer e atacá-los, eles resolveram se arriscar em ficar cara a cara com o Leão. Vejam o que aconteceu!”

My Scrapbook is released in Australia on the 31st July 2009…(Hey that’s my birthday…)

Anthony “Ace” Bourke and John Rendall are both thrilled to announce the release of their Christian the Lion… My Scrapbook in Australia.

My Scrapbook

It is ideal for children,  as the glossy 26 page scrapbook features many never before seen photographs as well as their favourite images of Christian, which accompanies the retelling of their amazing story in Christian’s words.

Christian the Lion: My Scrapbook will be available to purchase from good book stores across Australia as of the 1st August 2009…

Once again… Well done gentlemen.

On the Quest to Meet Ace and John…

Forever Bellas Grace

A Lion Called Christian to be published on over fifteen new territories 24-Jul-2009

A Lion Called Christian

Ace Bourke and John Rendall’s book A Lion Called Christian is on track to become a global success with the book confirmed to be published in over fifteen territories worldwide.

The publications will roll out over the next twelve months commencing on 30 July 2009 in Brazil followed by Italy, Norway, Spain and the mainland Chinese edition to be published by Christmas 2009.

The book has already been a success in Australia, New Zealand, the USA, the United Kingdom and, continues to appear on the Best Seller’s lists in these territories around the world.

Once again… Well done genltemen.

Forever BellasGrace

Congratulations

Congratulations to Anthony “Ace” Bourke, whom on the 23rd of July 2009 graduated with a Masters of Arts from the University of Wollongong this last week. Ace Bourke is also the co author of A Lion Called Christian with fellow Australian John Rendall.

His MA(R), titled Family Footprints: Tracing the Past in the Present through Curatorial Autobiographical Practice. Ace examined a new form of “autobiographical” curatorship, that evolved from three major museum exhibitions. He has worked through every staged over the last few years which has synthesised, to various degrees. Australian foundational narratives, an Aboriginal perspective, and Ace’s own family colonial history, which includes Governors Bourke and King.

Once again well done Ace.

Forever Bellas Grace

Ace Bourke and John Rendall share with us the photographs from their publicity tour for A Lion Called Christian.

The tour saw them appear on programs including Oprah, The View, and Entertainment Tonight in the US, This Morning with Richard and Judy and take part in numerous interviews for BBC Radio in the UK, Today Tonight and Sunrise in Australia and CCTV’s “Us” in China.

To view Tour Photographs, click here.

Welcome back gentlemen.

Forever BellasGrace

Bonds are a funny thing- it transcends time, space all of the other good stuff. Kinda like how when we find a new old friend on facebook- its a mildly surreal feeling, in particular when said person is from a life past.

This girl saw this on TV the other day, the story of Christian the Lion and his former owners. Its sweet.

“He only dreamed of places now and of the lions on the beach.”

***

Some updates and stuff:

• Album art is almost done! More soon…for now we’re gonna be all secretive.
• Also a secret: what we’ve decided to name the album…rest assured it is appropriately oceanic/nautical.
  
• Escorting a young friend to Osheaga tomorrow…excited to see Girl Talk! And the SpeakerBox Igloo!
• Pumped to benefit sex-ed this Sunday at Serve!

I just want to post up this link which JH posted to me in a comment below. I have seen this video and cried a whole bunch when El Rey first showed it to me at the comfort of our home. I was undoubtly touched and I always at least in this lifetime, want to feel something like this. A reunion with a long lost pet, or a wild pet which I had kept and grown and have this amazing, fulfilling moment.

Just watch…

And now, I proudly annouce that I can reach at least 85% with Rock Band guitar on EXPERT!

I have made such a great improvement from my Easy and Medium days. I will never go back.

I want to thank IN and R(Lah)R for their constant support and heping me in the quest to unlock songs!

Now the only thing left is to get the USA PSN card. Stupid shit of Harmonix can suck it! I have bypassed their stupid system!

A Taiwanese commented on the previous Rock Band Issue and told me he has resolved to throwing his Rock Band 2 game away and resulting to Guitar Hero World Tour. With no problems!

Seriously, noob game developers should stay at home and start sucking on their milk bottles and play Nintendo WII – Warioware for shit and giggles. Get a legal department for heaven’s sake if you suck so bad at law. Or even math for that matter!

Did you even count to see how much you’re losing off the market share to Guitar Hero? Seriously!!!

This one’s a slight cheat and a two-for.

This first one is simply nurture versus nature… and nurture wins hands down. Possibly one of the best examples of human/animal interaction I could come up with, so I’m going to ignore the fact that Lion starts with an L and not a C. C is for … Cat! And Christian! Christian the Lion takes a cue from Simba and “remembers who he is.” He was raised by two men who found him cramped in a cage, on sale at Harrod’s. (Really? That happens?)

Spoiler alert! The best part of this clip: IT’S A HUG. FROM A LION. So basically his former caretakers, John Rendall or Ace Berg, which is an awesome name and also sounds like Ice Berg but with a speech impediment, can be all, “I’ma sick a lion on yo ass!” whenever needed.

Come to think of it, the best part of this clip could actually be the song it’s set to.  Two words: Whitney Houston.

And this second one I’ve just been listening to a lot and the band is named Caribou. Whatevs.

Ace Bourke and John Rendall’s   appearance

on Oprah’s show is to Air in the UK.

Ace Bourke and John Rendall’s appearance on Oprah is to air in the UK on the 10th June 2009.

Ace Bourke and John Rendall’s  interview with Oprah, which has been viewed by millions of people across America and Australia, will be seen in the UK on Friday the 17th July and Sunday the 19th  July on Diva TV.

In their interview, which was a rare and wonderful opportunity, Ace and John talk with Oprah and the Friday Live Panel about their experiences with Christian the Lion and his release into Africa.

The interview is where Ace and John first shared the footage of their final farewell with Christian in 1972.

Ace Bourke and John Rendall are currently overseas promoting a Lion Called Christian to audiences in China and India.

Well done, gentlemen!

Forever BellasGrace

Looking back over the last three months I can say without a doubt, Embracing A Lion Called Christian has been an experience I will never forget. I feel it  needs to be shared with the world.

Christian The Lion

When I began this journey on the quest to meet Ace Bourke and John Rendall, I did not know embracing  Christian the Lion would  have such an impact on my day to day life.

Ace Bourke described what took place over forty years ago in Kenya, a “Euphoric Moment” . For me the euphoric moment was when I saw for the first time in April this year the famous “Reunion” clip from You Tube. It was the most beautiful event I had ever seen. I am not comparing it to the birth of my two sons. However, I am comparing it to a once in a life time moment that can never truly be repeated in our own existence.

Harrod's Lion

Watching it on You Tube made me aware of this amazing footage but nothing could prepare me in seeing it on my television.  Watching the reunion of  Christian in Kenya, and seeing that glorious moment, with the background music of Whitney Houston, ” I Will Always Love You”, brought me to tears. This pure unconditional love enveloped me and captivated me to see a powerful bond between man and beast.

Since then I have spoken to many people who have heard the story of Christian and I have spoken to many people who have not yet seen this rare footage. Mentioning Christian the Lion to  people, I  asked them what they  thought when they saw the clip. Each  answer was pretty much the same; ” It is magical, beautiful, unbelievable, amazing, wonderful, and my favourite, “God works in mysterious ways”.  However, when I asked people “How did it make you feel?”  The response would be;  “it made me feel happy, it made me feel there is love in this world, regardless whether it is  animal or human being.  The consensus was, “it was an amazing event”.

I realised then what I must do. I wanted to meet Ace and John and say thank you for giving me a euphoric moment of my own. So I began this quest and started to create a series of different Internet sites which would be dedicated in my quest to meet them.

Ace and John

In the next post I will share with you the steps I have travelled so far in the quest to meet these two amazing Australian men.

On The Quest To Meet Ace and John…

Forever Bellas Grace

In trying to find information on National Donut Day I discovered there really is a day for everything.

For instance, did you know today is Hug Your Cat Day? Not that you need an excuse… but go ahead… go hug your kittie!

If you’ve not yet had a chance to watch the video about Christian the lion that was a hot YouTube video a couple months ago, go spend a couple minutes being inspired. It gave me goosebumps!

Lisa