An Elephant Named Binky

Baby girl. Today was a big milestone for you. This is the day you said good-bye to your beloved Binky. For the last few months we have told you about the baby animals at the zoo that have no binkies. Their mommies need help taking care of the babies, so I asked if you would be kind enough to give them yours. After all, you are a big girl now. You know how to soothe yourself and don’t really need a Binky anymore. But those baby animals could sure use something to make them feel better. I asked you which animal you would give yours to. You informed me – the baby elephants (pronounced “L-fants”).

Today was a beautiful Tuesday in April (April 28th). As soon as we arrived at the Nashville Zoo, we went directly to the Baby Elephants. After giving the treasured Binky a kiss, you placed it on the stoop. The mommy elephant was kind of far away, so Daddy threw the Binky to her. You said bye-bye to Binky as the Mommy picked it up with her long snout. I guess you then realized it was gone and got very upset. You also thought she chewed it up. We assured you the Binky was given to the Baby. You walked away crying, but in return, the Mommy elephant gave a plush toy elephant as a symbol of her gratitude. You happily took the toy elephant and gave it a hug and kiss. We asked you want the toy elephant’s name to be. You promptly replied, “Binky.” So there on that brave April afternoon, an elephant named Binky came into our lives.