A Rare Look at a Gentle Giant

I received in the mail yesterday a DVD about buffaloes from Roger Brooks, owner of Charlie (above, with Roger's wife Veryl; see June 5 "A Man and His 2000-pound Pet" below). Included in the DVD is fantastic video footage of Charlie growing from a week-old calf to a magnificent bull bison. The big shaggy guy was at times like a family dog, taking walks, licking his owners, even rubbing up to them face to face. At one point Roger calls for Charlie to come to him, and Charlie bounds over to him with head bobbing up and down, just as a happy dog might do. Normally, being face to face with a bull bison is dangerous, but not with this giant. Red Chief (my grandson Ethan) should be very entertained with the video of Charlie.

Paralysis and pneumonia caused Charlie's death at only three years, and the buffalo's passing deeply affected Roger, who now devotes much of his time helping preserve the Yellowstone herd of wild buffalo. From Roger's narrative of the video of Charlie: "We were so very, very fortunate to have shared our lives with this magnificent, gentle, kind and loving giant of an animal. All we have left are warm memories. The most meaningful statement we can make about our great journey with this big bull bison is, Thank you, Charlie."

For photos of Charlie growing up, click on these individual photos. I hope to make copies of the DVD to give to friends and family.