Beth’s Last Wish Trip to the Zoo

Note: It’s rare that we receive such a detailed account of a patient’s last wish experience. Beth was so gracious in sharing photos and details about her trip. When asked if we could share her story, she said, “…yes, please use my words to get the word out. The experience meant the world to me and I’d love to participate in helping raising funds for future people to have similar gifts. Thank you again!”

Through the Elara Hospice Foundation’s wish program, I was able to attend an encounter at Toledo Zoo.

They let us in before the zoo opened so it was empty and quiet…

At first during our time with the pandas neither one seemed interested in the treats we had. Even without them eating it was amazing to be so close.

We were merely inches away from red pandas in an area zoo visitors can’t access. And bless the staff and my friend, Ariel, who practically carried me down the path to get there!

Both pandas were still asleep and so we got to watch them stretch and yawn… Talk about cute!

At first Louis considered visiting us but then detoured to another napping spot instead. Misa eventually meandered her way around the beams to get to us for some treats.

We got to use tongs to feed her. Tiny little 6-inch tongs. We were THAT close to her!

For about 15 minutes we fed her craisins (her very favorite jackpot snack). She used her little paws like hands to pick up and rearrange the pieces but mostly she preferred we just plop them right in her mouth.

I loved how sweet and gentle she was. She took them very gently and carefully. At one point I dropped one and she tried using her paws to get it on our side through the bars. I was not getting it quick enough!!

We all laughed and soon she was back to sitting there, mouth open, waiting for us to put more in her mouth. When we were done with her snacks, she ran away, again with her nonsocial tendencies. But, they let us stay back in the staff area to watch them for a bit afterwards.

During the whole time an educator was with us one-on-one, and he told us endless facts about red pandas and their habits. Learning information about my special interest with her (Misa) about a foot from me was like crack for me.

I couldn’t get enough. I got to share what I knew, and he’d piggyback off my info to tell me more.

That was honestly one of the best parts—all I got to learn about them while I was there.

This was one of the very best and most memorable days in my entire life.

I have adored, collected, and geeked out about pandas since I was a small child. To get to interact with one so close she brushed her cheek against my hand gave me goosebumps. I can’t ever explain how much it meant to me.

The zoo was practically empty that early in the morning, so we got to go around and see many of the other animals.

The highlight of that was probably the elephants. There is a new baby elephant who was playing with cardboard boxes with her mom. Stomping them and wearing them like a hat. She was adorable and SO little. I cannot believe how small they start out!

The other highlight was the orangutans. The grandpa of the group gathered up all the soft blankets in the enclosure and laid them all out in a den to cozy up on them for a nap. It was adorable.

Reminder that orangutans are going to be extinct in our lifetimes if we don’t stop using palm oil. The only way to get palm oil is to ruin their habitats. Check your food and beauty products. Please.

I am so thankful to Elara Caring Hospice Foundation for providing me with this opportunity, to my dad for making sure every tiny detail was in place for the whole trip, and to my friend, Ariel, who took care of me the whole way allowing me to be seen as a lady with her friend not someone’s little girl who needed help. It really did make the trip feel like pure freedom. 🥰