Friday, March 07, 2014

Lady Trainers #2


Posted by Buckles at 3/07/2014 05:08:00 AM

1 comments:

Roger Smith said...

Eloise Berchtold was among the more skilled wild animal trainers. In the last act I saw her work, she was with us on Hubert Castle, in Indianapolis, in '73. She mixed lions, tigers, an aoudad, bears of at least two subspecies, and I recall a couple of spotted cats. It was an admirable mix, under-appreciated by the audience, but immensely respected by other trainers. Early those mornings, Eloise was cleaning cages in her coveralls, her hair secured with a big kerchief tied under her chin. Once our animals were fed, and we had that hour off, we sat jackpotting over coffee. It was an honor to be in the presence of this unpretentious, personable, and genuine lady who made it easy to become good friends. For this reason, that date was too short, and I never saw her again.

07 March, 2014 15:16

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