Pretty much everything on this website has to do with poker, so while being not on the road I thought I should share something ‘different’ with you guys.

Reading the Herald Sun Newspaper (page 79) today I came across a really interesting story about Christian; a lion cub, who became an instant YouTube hit after his heartfelt story swept the world. Back in the late 60′s Anthony Burke and John Rendall were working together at an antique shop below their residence when they ventured to Harrods Zoo and became obsessed with the idea of owning a lion cub.

Following a day of sightseeing at the zoo they discovered two lion cubs in a small cage; the female snarled but the male remained calm. Event through a lack of suitable residence and the approximate $7,000 cost, Burke and Rendall remained undeterred and brought Christian home.

However as Christian outgrew his residence, Burke and Rendall decided that he deserved to be back in the wild and through some arrangements was eventually released into the wilds of Kenya. Christian adapted to his new environment and eventually became the head of his own pride – which was the main problem for Burke and Rendall to overcome as they wished to visit Christian after a year of distance. Warned that Christian wouldn’t remember them Burke and Rendall were unfazed and the following video shows what happened.


Christian the Lion

Maybe it’s just me, but I think this story is pretty touching with the video the icing on the cake.

Now all I have to do is find a lion cub that likes to travel, enjoys many hours in a casino and knows how to limp fold Ace-Queen to my three-bet when we play heads-up!