“Friday Thoughts” is a light-hearted commentary. Chris is on assignment, so this week we run a Friday Thoughts from the archives. This originally ran Feb. 24, 2006.
THE NEWSPAPER is an interesting place to work because you never know what people might bring in for us to see. People have brought in a Komodo dragon, a 400-pound wild boar, a large catfish and the list goes on and on.
Recently, when I got back from lunch, I couldn’t help but notice a live 7-foot alligator stretched out on a desk in the front office. The owner thought we might like to pet it.
The man also had in his car a large ball python, a monitor lizard, an assortment of birds, a great Dane and a couple of cats. He offered to also bring those in.
Obviously, we are happy that people want to share such things with us because they can make interesting stories, but we hope people will show some restraint. If an animal can bite, maim or kill staff members, perhaps consider bringing in a photograph instead.
As for the aggressive-looking alligator, I was afraid he was going to escape and start threatening the lives of the staff. (Note to self: Add alligator wrestling to Gazette general manager Ray Beals’ job description.
Fortunately, the only accident was the one left on the desk where the alligator relieved himself.
Christopher White Walker
Editor & Publisher