As you might assume, I’ve won plenty of individual awards in my lifetime. Among the more notable honors are Fur Magazine’s “Sexiest Soth Alive,” ZooMonana’s “Man of the Year” (three years in a row) and Eastern Montana’s “Lifetime Achievement Award.” Although the accolade I’m most proud of was born of a team effort (even Pabu helped …. a little).

 

Just last year, something called USA Today ranked our ZooMontana Holiday Nights as one of the “Reader’s Choice Best Zoo Lights,” and this year’s display should be even better yet.

 

As I’m not one to hog the spotlight, I thought I’d share a little bit of a behind-the-scenes look at the whole process and the stories of all of the animals (and people) who help make it happen.

 

 

Let’s start with me. My job is probably the most important. I start in September by checking each of the more than 10 million light bulbs to make sure they are working. Because something like USA Today isn’t going to overlook even one little mistake, or so I’ve been told.

 

From there, I assemble a team of animals and humans of varied heights to string the bulbs all around the zoo. Director Jeff handles the highest ones, Hana (a ball python and one heck of a cook) takes the low lights, and then everyone else just sort of fills in.

 

(You might wonder why I wouldn’t entrust my climbing friends to hang the highest lights. Simple – they cannot be trusted to carry the bulbs in their mouth without ruining all my hard work.)

 

And then there’s Pabu. The self-proclaimed Prince of Pounce (which isn’t even a real award or title). He simply lounges around and points out any lights that seem to be out of place. It’s kind of annoying. Like, get off your tail and lend a paw, for goodness’ sake.

 

But enough about him.

 

 

Once I have successfully led this team of varying abilities, cultivating their individual strengths into a holiday spirit powerhouse that lights the night sky, the display is ready to reveal.

 

After the lights start twinkling, it’s an incredible time to live here at ZooMontana, and all of the beautiful holiday lights and songs really class things up and get us all in the mood to celebrate the season. This year, I’m hoping to dress up as Santa, if only to grant my best friend Bert the bison all of his wishes, and to deny all of Pabu’s. I know, I know – with great power comes great responsibility.

 

Plus, it’s nice to meet new humans from all over the world who come here to Billings to celebrate their holidays and meet our local celebrity (me).

 

And that’s where you come in. I hope to see you this year at ZooMontana’s Holiday Nights. If you wanted to bring me a sweet potato or two, that’d be cool. Apparently the people who awarded me the Philanthropy Ambassador of the Century didn’t quite understand the definition of a “lifetime supply.”