Zebra returned to his home

By Renee Fite
Phoenix Staff Writer

September 18, 2007 10:26 am

— Norman the zebra is happy to be home.
He had a few scratches on his legs that required salve, but the curious zebra is none the worse for his adventure.
His “mama” Amy Saxon also raises Arabian horses, but usually takes Norman with her, or he follows her around.
On Sept. 11 he got out of the fence and was photographed that night by a very surprised neighbor, Sharon McConough.
“Friday, he got out again and made it as far as Three Mile Road before we found him,” Cindy Elsey said. “We don’t know how he got out.”
Her husband Steve Elsey takes care of Norman and feeds the Arabians.
Saxon went driving around hollering for him.
“We go whoop, whoop, whoop and he comes,” Cindy Elsey said. “If you’ve seen the movie Stripes, that’s how he sounds.
Norman’s a mama’s boy.
“When he hears Amy’s voice he starts coming and honking. He loves his mama.”
She said Norman is about 3 years old.
“The zebra is like a spoiled brat,” Elsey said. “I don’t think he knows he’s a zebra.”
The Saxons live at Country Club and have a lake house at Ranger Creek. Norman spends some time at both locations.
“Norman is her baby. He goes everywhere she goes, except to Arabian shows because he’s such a distraction.”
One of the Saxon’s trainers had zebras and she bought Norman before he was born. He was born brown and white, now he’s getting bolder colors, Elsey said.
“When he was a baby, we used to let him come in the house. He liked to nudge things, pick them up and put them down. He’s always messing with things.”
Elsey said Norman likes to graze and do his thing.
“My husband drives a four-wheeler when he feeds the horses and Norman follows him around.”
She said Norman is usually very gentle, but you do have to watch his sidekick. “He’s domesticated, but he’s still a wild animal.”
Elsey said she could tell stories that would crack you up.
“He makes a biting motion with his mouth to show submission. He is nippy, but usually he’s really good. One time he blocked us in the feed room trying to open the door from the outside with his mouth.
She said he can be aggressive, but he’s really a lot of fun and everybody just loves him. “The neighbors feed him carrots.”

To write Fite Click Here

Copyright © 1999-2008 cnhi, inc.