5-30-2021 – Great news, I received my Dangerous Animal License for Max from the State yesterday. So, Max is safe with me for another year. I jumped through every hoop appropriately. We also have four programs scheduled this summer which will pay for the insurance. I’m happy! Here in this photo you’ll see Max in stalk mode. Deb helped me remove the plastic sheeting which we had installed on the outside of his loft to make it more cozy in the winter. We also raked the straw from the corner cubby and what had fallen out of the loft into a large pile. When I let Max back into this space he was not at all interested in our housekeeping but was keeping a watchful eye on Deb who was twelve feet away. I used her camera to snap a shot. So, this is another version of “Pounce.” When we turned to walk away, he charged the fence. When she turned around, Max flopped down as if nothing interesting was happening. I would have loved to have video that.

So, I’ve been doing some thinking. Uh-oh, that can be dangerous. For the last couple years, I have had people tell me that I should create a calendar of Max or a coffee table book of his gorgeous face. Calendars come and go but a book would be nice. However, wouldn’t that be expensive? The cost of producing and then international shipping might be beyond my means or even chaotic. I can see myself on a Saturday morning shipping to the U.K., Spain, Italy, Australia, etc. Oh boy. I’m sure there are probably other options. Another thing to consider is the cost of the book. Oh my, most of us are on tight budgets during this time in our lives and it would need to be affordable. Some have suggested a smaller version of the coffee table book that could be handed as gifts. Hmmmmnnnn.

I thought of creating a website showcasing his photos. Would I want to add his story or our stories? Maybe. I would need a premium site which would allow for monetized advertising and a donation button. But I’m not a non-profit, so donations would not be tax deductible. I have discouraged donations to date because of that and because I can afford Max. I knew what I was getting into with the cost of meat, veternarian care, housing, fencing and enrichment. However, donations could go towards stocking Max products or even the coffee table book.

Some have suggested creating a children’s book of Max’s adventures. Wouldn’t that be fun? I could get local children to draw the pictures depending on the theme. Okay, that’s a possibility.

I really want to give back to his followers. Yes, I have a YouTube channel and this blog, but really this blog is about my educational programs with all my animals, not just Max. If I have a photography website, people can download his photo. Setting it up will be a nightmare with nine years of great photos to upload and each will have to be optimized to save on space. Perhaps they will want a photo mug, note cards, note pad, a tote or photo postcards. I don’t know. There are many possibilities.

Well, I put the question out on YouTube and the comments are flooding in. I will give it a week and then make a decision. I have a couple new toys for Max and so a video needs to be taken this weekend. If you haven’t visited our Wildlife Bernie YouTube channel, there are some recent vids.

I’ll close this article with a photo of the boy.