I shall miss Steve Irwin.

Just knowing that he was somewhere on this planet, playing with orangutans or wombats or something that would try to bite him or more likely, fall under his spell, was reassuring. It meant someone was trying to protect the ugly, foul tempered, venomous beasties that most people would not.

I learned that Tasmanian devils are the cutest critters with the gnarliest vocalizations I ever heard.

And who knew that crocodiles were tender, passionate lovers who blew bubbles to entice a girly croc? What a charming way to woo a female anything!

I fell in love with wombats and camels and koalas and marveled at a mother croc gently carrying her babies to water in her huge jaws.

His passion for the animals seemed matched only by his passion for his wife. I envied his children growing up in a zoo and having wonderful adventures safely under their dad's watchful gaze.

Tom and I thought what a wonderful life Steve and Terri led, doing what they loved and what a sweet thing it was that so many other people seemed to think so too.

And now he is gone.