Very few of us, when asked if we experience a significant amount of pressure, anxiety, and tension, would deny it. Many of us would in fact welcome therapeutic intervention. But it seems a stretch to consider that animals would need human assistance to relieve their stress.....well, apparently at some Zoos, a menagerie of God's creatures are being offered "paint therapy"..........what?!?

It's true, the zoo staff have encouraged the animals to paint as a way to keep the penned-up denizens mentally sound and enriched! Oh pleazzzze. Yep, the elephants, chimpanzees, kangaroos, red pandas, and even rhinoceros are wielding their paint brushes with confidence, slapping them roughly against the canvas to produce streaks and smears.

Get this, animal lovers are willing to pay hundreds-or even thousands-of dollars for the creations, prompting zoos accross the country to tap into this source of revenue! The staff are careful to only offer the activity once a month "......because we want to make sure the activity remains mentally stimulating". Stop! You're killing me  here! They also inidcate that ".....you can't make it a routine for the animal or they lose interest". You don't say! You know, when the animals don't want to paint, ".....no amount of cajoling will convince them otherwise. If they don't want to participate, they'll just ignore you, they'll leave. There's not much you can do". Really....

Look at it this way, artistic talent seems diversely distributed among animals as among humans. Some people are more artistically inclined than others. Animals and people are eager participants while others turn their noses-or trunks-at the sight of a brush!

Ok, I'm always open to a challenge and something new, the next time I am overhwhelmed, and the California Department of Public Health walks in unannounced, I'm going to excuse myself, go put a paint brush in my mouth, and streak away!