In Steve Irwin the world lost an endlessly compassionate heart - one that will continue to beat in the millions of fans he inspired. For incontrovertible proof of his love for animals watch him at YouTube crying over a dead crocodile (http://youtube.com/watch?v=GZP3VMgyzUU). This was a man that I imagined meeting in my lifetime, but I never imagined him leaving us so soon. The world seems a little more hopeless every day when we lose those who are exhilarated just to be alive. All my love to Terri, Bindi, Bob and family. You WILL make it through this. And Steve, thank you for educating all of us with such enthusiasm and warmth.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: reinbeast,
I haven't been able to watch 'Croc Files' in more than a year, probably due to a time slot change. I never recorded it, because there's not enough time to watch everything and I thought I'd catch it once in a while or buy the DVDs. (Now it will be months before I'll be able to watch without tearing up.) The only time I'd get to see Steve was on Leno or Conan and there weren't enough of those appearances. Even so, I reacted (like a lot of you) as if he was a close personal friend. The last time I cried so much for a celebrity was when Phil Hartman died, who was in two of my favorite shows, The Simpsons and News Radio. They both kind of felt like family. Maybe part of it was unexpressed grief for my grandmother, who passed away in July. I cried for her the day I had to whisper in her ear 'I love you grandma, goodbye,' but later that week at her wake and funeral I felt more numb than anything. I also lost my cat in March, so it's been an all around sucky year. Seems like every 3 years for me there are multiple deaths of family, pets and sometimes favorite celebrities.
I almost forgot. I posted this to say that yesterday, after not thinking about it for a year, suddenly the 'Croc Files' song popped into my head and I sang the entire thing as if I'd just heard it. I started crying at "G'day" and now can't remember the song past that word no matter how hard I try. Strange. I kept singing it all day. Every time I got a little bit distracted or bored it would come out.
I am so sick of the idiots of this world. I hope that this new slaughtering of stingrays had nothing to do with Steve. If it was done by one of his fans they would have to know that this would hurt him deeply, not make him, or any other fan, happy. You cannot exact revenge on innocent animals that had nothing to do with what happened. It was one scared stingray that reacted naturally because it felt threatened. This was an accident, a tragedy, not an excuse to be cruel.
Steve had said time and again, if you're ever bitten, stung, scratched or whatever by an animal, it's not the animal's fault. You did something to cause that reaction.
I really cannot believe some people. Yesterday I read comments that PETA made about Steve getting what he deserved, because he tortured animals. What is wrong with them? I used to think they were good and fighting for animals and their rights, but a while ago I heard that they were actually killing animals that could be adopted. Is this the way to end suffering? These people are maniacs and I would love to use their 'death kits' on them! Did they start out like this? Was the name at one point not highly misleading? Luckily, the animals have people like the Irwin's and their fans. I would never euthanize any animal unless it was beyond saving (i.e. dying and in pain) and I hope to one day open a shelter with that policy; a shelter/vet clinic that will take in animals from other shelters that do not have the room and do implement euthanasia as standard procedure for overpopulation.
I guess the heartless would be PETA. I can not support a group that could be so stupid & blind as to say anything negative about Steve Irwin.
As far as I am conserned Steve was the GREATEST conservationist that ever lived. He had a TRUE passion and passed that on to everyone he ever met. When Steve said "Come with me" I did, and am a much better person for it.
The day after I heard the terribly sad news of Steve's death, I was on YouTube watching tribute videos. They all brought tears, but one that used the song 'Land Down Under' was the one that truly got me going, more than any song that had appropriate words. (Later I found an actual tribute song that did the same thing to me.) I think it was just the sound of an Australian voice that did it. The lyrics didn't seem to matter.
The, a few days ago I was thinking of music to add to my 80's station on Pandora.com. I thought of Men At Work and added them. A while later I heard that very familiar beginning to one of my favorites songs and, at first I smiled, but then I remembered the video. Now, for me 'Land Down Under' will forever be tinged with sadness.
Was that Russell Crowe I saw at the beginning of the memorial service? I turned it off after a few seconds, because I was taping it and won't watch it for a while. This year I first lost my cat, then my Grandmother and now a favorite celebrity. I've had enough of crying.
I know you get to a point where, you can only cry so much, it was hard when I watched the service, as for what PETA has to say, that is just complete and utter stupidity, what is wrong with these people, are they forgetting about the countless number of animal's lives Steve Irwin saved??? It's just ridiculous,
Hopefully the killing of stingrays will stop, it is most definetly not what Steve would've wanted, He knew the risks when he started doing this as a teenager with his dad, it was not the animal's fault,
I have to put in my two cents worth about PETA. They have a lot to talk about. Awhile back some of they're employes were caught going to vet's offices and taking kittens and puppies saying they were to be adopted out. They were killing these kittens and puppies and throwing them in dumpsters. In their pocession they had syringes and drugs. And they have the nerve to condem Steve. I think not. He is a better person than they will ever be. They are nothing but two faced liers. If they had they're way, and believe they are trying to make it possible, no one would have a pet of any kind. Yes, they want to make it so no one is allowed to have a pet. From the tiny mouse to horses. I have parrots and I would be very much hurt if I could not have my birds. They are my babies. What they are doing is all wrong. I am liking them less and less everyday when I read where they have stuck their nose into something again to cause trouble. Steve wanted the world to respect and love the animals so as to help them. What point would he get across if he just sat in a studio and showed pictures and talked about the animal. None. He went to their world and showed how they lived and survived. Steve was the best and will be missed. It tears me up that he is going. I don't even know the man but it is like I do. He was in my home every night with his family and made you feel like part of the family. No words can say how I feel. God rest your soul, Steve. Take care of the animals in heaven. Jeannie
PETA disgusts me. They are so into themselves Im sure they only care about themselves more than the animals they claim to protect. They are the ones exploiting the animals just to somehow gain some attention and money im sure, for the people who are members. its fine to protect them, but its natures way to leave them alone and let what happens, happen. Steve used to say "its nature's way" He was saving animals from harm by people, not by other animals and whatever else is out there that can harm them. Peta wants to save animals from everything under the sun. Ain't gonna happen. theres an old saying: Everything in moderation and moderation in everything. Peta are Extremists to the extreme. Steve in no way got what he deserved. My goodness what some people won't do to gain attention to thier own stupid selves. Get off this dead mans bakc and go find a real mission PETA schmendricks, jeez. I am going to be eternally grateful though, that he was taken by a completely docile quiet beautiful creature in the one place that would surely make his passing a quick experience so he wouldn't suffer. I can't thank God for taking him and can't see that I ever will since I think it was too soon, but I can thank him for letting it happen in a most gentle, swift and relatively immediate way. One day I'll ask him why, and find the answer that will explain it all.
Hey all, Just popping in to add my two cents worth. I was just reading about what you guys were saying, first I totally agree that the stingrays souldn't be killed its not they're fault that they stung Steve. One message to the people going around killing the Stingrays leave them ALONE. Second where does the PETA group get off condeming Steve? He has done more for the conservation of animals then they ever will. I think that they're just jealous because he has more of a fan base and hes been on more TV programs then they will, so leave him alone PETA. Third and finally my hubby and I were at a check out counter paying for our grocerries when I was looking at the magazines when an interesting head line caught my eye on The Enquirer: Pictures of Steve Irwin's Death which really got my blood boiling hes not even in the ground and these heartless people are going around showing pictures of Steve and how he died. What right do they to do that? Okay granted freedom of the press, but still thats cold, heartless, and inhumane. Again I say leave Steve Irwin's family alone let them grieve in peace.
I was also disgusted at what the National inquirer and Globe did about Steve and using him to line thier filthy pockets. My heart broke and I was angered like I had never been been before. They are dirty, money hungry losers who do nothing but prey on innocent people at the very worst and most trying times in thier life. what a cruel and unbelieveably wretched thing to do to people. Anything to make a buck. Its disgusting. I hope everybody boycotts them and nobody ever buys another one of thier magazines filled with hate and lies so they can go broke so we nevre have to see another one thier filthy magazines again. hateful nasty mean people. I hope they feel really good about the heartache they cause. But then again all they care about is themselves and thier pockets, not other people or thier feelings. Shame on them both.
i was shocked to learn of steve's death, it's sad and shocking. as for whats been said about peta, we all know that they are extremists and have no real point, they need to stick with what they are about saving the animals in captivity being tested on, they are clueless when it comes to wildlife conservation, the enguirer is know for stooping this low remember princess diana? i also remeber a time that the put a police officer badly disfigured in a squad car explosion on a "one of the ugliest people" list, i do infact belive they should be boycotted! they go beyond freedom of the press and if they do sell any magazine all that money should go to what steve was about animal conservation.
I emailed PETA when the reports broke last week (early last week) that they'd slammed Steve about his work with animals. I'm attaching the email at the bottom of this post, if you want to vent. I'll warn you, though, I got a response and the lady was not the sharpest knife in the drawer (pretty brainwashed, it seemed to me)... she kept saying that it was their "position" all along (blah blah blah) and that I didn't understand... whatever. Yeah, I'm a teacher with a master's degree but I can't possibly comprehend their ideals. Dumb jerks. Stupid people give stupid responses, in my opinion. I emailed them to tell them that if they EVER contact me for assistance, I'd sue and then went into detail about how heartless AND cowardly I felt they were to attack a wonderful man (a saint, really) who is now dead... it just makes me mad all over to think of it again. So here's the email, if you want to tell them how you feel- and my original email to them.
MediaInfo@peta.org
If you EVER dare to contact me for assistance of ANY kind, I'll sue. How dare you (PETA, in general) take out your attention-grabbing attacks on someone as genuine as Steve Irwin. If I could throttle you right now, I would. How damned insensitive can you be? I know LOTS of people-- been a communicator and teacher all my life.... and no one will escape my loathe of how you conduct your business or how you attack people once they've passed on. This was low, EVEN FOR YOU. My estimation of your character hit bottom yesterday and somehow continues to eek further south. Shame, shame on you. You really stepped in it this time... that's right... crocodile s**t sticks, too. =)
I like it. I too loathe them. the email was very much to the point and said very well. All wrapped up neat and tidy in a brief yet informative email that they will most certainly get the jist. I always end up writing pages and pages, but this was SO well put, so to the point. Im sure they will not misunderstand peoples despise of them. I hope this has brought them nothing but bad press, and people wake up to how low they will go for attention, so much so, that thier little organization will wither away and die....along with the bad press of the National Inquirer and The Globe. They are all in the same class. Trash. And thats where they belong.
OMG! I LOVE that e-mail Christi, that was wonderful! Perfect for the little slime bags, How disgusting can you get than to attack a man after he's dead, and not just any man either, a man who spent his life being passionate about animals, and the world around him, sheer stupidity...
I always wanted to meet him too. He was so wonderful. The day I found out he died, I wanted everyone else to know. I told all my friends, all my family. Most people thought it was a joke. hey all said "You're kidding". I wish I was. I wish I had been. I just can't believe he's gone. We just need to think about the countless animals he saved.
