Woman Killed By Alligator!!

According to Fox News, a woman walking her dog in a resort community in Hilton Head Island was attacked and killed by an eight foot alligator today.  That is so sad and I can't imagine what her family is going through, but how do they know how big the alligator is?  They are searching for him or her.  And, the dog was apparently unharmed.  

Now, you are reading the blog of one person very scared of alligators!  I am so afraid of them that as I drive closer and closer to the shores of Florida beaches I keep an eye out for one on the interstate.  If one jumped out on the road, don't laugh they may jump,  According to Wikipedia, alligators have  been observed to rise up and balance on their hind legs and semi-step forward as part of a forward or upward lunge. I know!  That makes me cringe!!!!

Have you ever been to an alligator farm?  Believe it or not I have!!!  In an effort to deal with my fear of alligators, I visited one with my husband years ago.  I am here to tell you that was the most stinking and ugly gross place I have ever been.  Those slimy creators were all over the place and all over each other.  They were slinging mud here and there.  The owners of the place were feeding them raw meat of some king, big pieces that they would chomp at the eat in one bite.  So gross!

Needless to say, I didn't spend a great deal of time at the farm.  I guess they had shows which displayed tricks they do at any attraction like that, but I didn't stay around to see them.  Of course I am not stupid enough to think they could be trained to jump through hoops or something like that.   But, I am sure there is some trick they could be taught.  If not, how does an alligator farm stay in business.  Surely not because people are dying (no pun intended) to see them.

My late/ex husband told me he used to hunt alligators when he lived in Florida.  Now, Jim was known for doing some outlandish things sometimes, but hunting alligators was the most stupid thing he ever did in his life.  Of course, he may have been telling me an "alligator story", chuckling all the while behind my back.  That would have fit his personality that I loved as well.   

I have watched, with hesitation, people on television catching alligators.  Stupid, stupid, stupid!  Why?  I don't get it.  Furthermore, what good are they?  Oh, I think some people actually eat their meat, but not me.  No sir, I don't want any part of them broiled, baked, or fried!  I guess if God had a purpose in creating them and Noah had a reason to ensure a couple were on the ark, it was for food.  However, again according to Wikipedia, "alligators are raised commercially for their meat and their skin, which when tanned is used for the manufacture of luggage, handbags, shoes, and belts and other leather items. Alligators also provide economic benefits through the ecotourism industry. Visitors may take swamp tours, in which alligators are a feature. Their most important economic benefit to humans may be the control of coypu, a rodent, and muskrats. " 

So, an alligator is an alligator, is an alligator.  As far as I am concerned they are not worth much of anything!  My prayers for the woman's family who lost her life to an alligator attack.  What a terrible way to go!





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