Steve
Irwin was the most inspirational person in my life. I have never had such a role model. He has done so much for me over the
past 10 years than more than most people. I have never had such a role model as some may tell from the pictures of me on this
website. I never have loved a person like I love Steve Irwin. He seemed like he was a uncle or a father figure to me. He gave
me so much that even though I never got to see any of his shows or meet him personally. I know for sure that if I never saw
his show I would never be this involved with my conservational efforts in the Southeast.
The first time I saw Steve
Irwin it was back in the late 90s when I was still very young and discovery channel was doing a night of snakes for New Years
Eve. I remember it so clearly because I saw him get licked by the world’s most toxic snake the Fierce Snake. I was in
such awe-struck when I saw thing in the eyes of an 8 year old boy. I couldn’t believe what he did was real and then
on I was hooked.
I love wildlife my whole life from when I can remember my mum always
made terrariums with frogs and lizards living in them. I have always been around reptiles and amphibians and I for some reason
or another went for snakes and made that my passion.
When
I was a little older I got out of snakes and got into some other things that I found interesting. Then when I was 13 I injured
my knee and got back into snakes after watching Croc week on animal planet. I watch tons of episodes of the crocodile hunter
that week and decided to get back in snakes. After that I started reading everything and anything I could on snakes and other
wildlife.
I
know that if it was for this great man I would never have gotten to were I am now with a website, keeping over 40 venomous
snakes and non-venomous snakes, and going out snake hunting. Also I would not been wearing khakies and having great fun doing
it. I have been fun of it before from people but I have never cared. I have also started doing small documentaries also.
September
4th, 2006 was the absolute worst day of my whole life. When I found out he died it just hit me as hard if my mom
or one of my family members had died. I just have been in complete devastation for the last few weeks and just could not believe
the truth. I cried and so did my mom for the past few weeks and still am having a very hard time with this whole concept he
is gone forever. I am so sad that he had to die so prematurely in the height of his life. He has touched millions and I can
only hope that I could do the same. I absolutely will miss him forever.
CROCS RULE!,
I Will Miss You Mate!
Webmaster,
Phillip Higgins
