Bud DeYoung grew up in Highland Indiana where he was
constantly bringing home various animals to live in his
parent's suburban home. At a very young age he had a
desire to learn about animals, rescue them and share his
knowledge of animals with others.
The first part of IT'S A
WILD LIFE is a memoir of Bud's life and how he went from
raising animals in his parents yard to owning a zoo in the
Upper Peninsula of Michigan with his fiancée Carrie. He
struggled for many years working multiple jobs to support
the animals, which were often rescues and needed
intensive nurturing. He made many personal sacrifices
along the way, one of which included a divorce from his
first wife.
The second part of the book is dedicated to describing the
animals in the zoo, how these animals are acquired, and
what it takes to house and feed these animals. Many might
think that running a zoo is always fun and adventurous, but
Bud shows us that the responsibility he takes
for the well-being of these animals has consumed all of his
time, money and energy. For example, it is not easy
keeping a hippo warm in the winter in the Upper Peninsula
of Michigan. A special enclosure had to be built and kept
at a balmy 85 degrees for Wallace the hippo.
One of the most important themes of the book is the fact
that all of the animals are meant to live as animals and
are not considered pets. Despite the fact that Bud and
Carrie oftentimes must keep animals in their own home to
raise as babies and even bottle feed, they are always
placed in their own habitats and allowed to be around
species of their own kind.
IT'S A WILDLIFE is a realistic, yet heartwarming story of
how Bud DeYoung has dedicated his life to the fostering of
animals. The ending of the book includes letters from
people all over the world who have visited and learned
something from Bud. This book appeals to a wide range of
readers, from animal lovers, to teachers, to those who just
want a feel good story.
Pursuing your passion includes a whole lot of crap. For Bud DeYoung, that's about two hundred pounds a day! Since childhood, Bud had a passion for animals. As an adult, that passion led to the rescue of a bear who lived in his family's house, then more animals crowding for space, until Bud eventually built an entire private zoo around his home in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Along the way, a regular visitor named Carrie joined her passion for animals with Bud's. Together they now educate the public about animal conservation, battle the harsh winters and blazing summers, and daily dole out love to the hundreds of rescued animals in their care. Meanwhile, they teach by example how to make the world a better place while pursuing their passion. Welcome to the fascinating, heartwarming journey of one man, one woman, and an amazing cast of critters, whose stories will warm your soul. Welcome to the wild life of the DeYoung Family Zoo.
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