I'm going to guess he was around 3 or 4-years-old when he discovered Steve Irwin. Steve quickly became Pacen's hero. Pacen was always watching The Crocodile Hunter. Pacen even dressed up as Steve for Halloween one year.
I'll never forget the day that Steve died. It was like a family member had passed away. It was so hard to tell Pacen that his hero was gone. He shed a few tears and became very quiet. Later in the day my dad noticed that Pacen was sitting on the front steps by himself (it's very unusual for Pacen to sit still and do nothing), so he went out to see how Pace was doing. He told us he sat down and asked Pacen how he was. Pacen told him he was doing okay. Dad asked, "Are you thinking about Steve?" Pacen responded in a sad little voice, "Yeah, Gimpy (that's what he calls my Dad). Do you think they'll put him on a paper plate?" Well, I guess, in the eyes of a child, a person should be memorialized by being printed on a Birthday paper plate. :) Sweet, sweet innocence.
After Steve passed away and his shows were aired less frequently, Pacen became interested in Jeff Corwin. Very similar to Steve, but yet so different. Jeff kind of became Pacen's new hero, although there is no way Steve will ever be completely replaced. Well, earlier this month Pacen got the chance to see a presentation put on by Jeff Corwin! My parents, Pacen, and I all went. During the show Jeff chose many people to help him with some animals on stage. I was hoping with every fiber of my being that Pacen would be chosen, but he wasn't. :( Maybe that was a good thing though, cause Pace wasn't feeling very well and I could just imagine him getting on stage and puking on Jeff. After the show Jeff did a book signing. Pacen and I got in line and I thought we'd end up waiting at least an hour, but...nope...Jeff whizzed right through the autographs. It took maybe ten minutes! Unfortunately he wasn't "posing" for any pictures so I had to hurry and get Pacen's picture with Jeff while Jeff was signing his book. At least Pacen got to see him in person and I'm sure that will be a memory he holds onto for the rest of his life.
Jeff signing Pacen's book
Oh, and if you don't already know (can't remember if I've ever posted anything about it) we are the happy owners of three, yes...3, snakes. Our first was a Garter Snake (common garden snake) that a friend caught. Pacen named him Bubba and he's been with us for I think 5 years. Our second snake is a Ball Python that I bought for Pacen on his 8th Birthday. Pace named him Bali. Our third snake was given to us last year by my friend who is a zoo keeper. The zoo was minimizing and got rid of some animals. It is a corn snake and "she" is gorgeous. Pacen named her Brooke. :)
"No, snakes are no problem. I'd go to any country, anywhere, any snakes, not a problem." ~ Steve Irwin
"As you get older it is harder to have heroes, but it is sort of necessary." ~ Ernest Hemingway
