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Coney Island Baby: Cyclone, the Mini Donkey at the Ringling Circus

Posted in Animals, circus, tagged baby animal, Boom A Ring, Coney Island, Heidi Herriott, menagerie, mini donkey, miniature donkey, Ringling on September 3, 2009| Leave a Comment »

Heidi Herriott with Mini Donkeys at the Coney Island Boom a Ring Circus Menagerie. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i via flickr

Last night at the Boom A Ring Circus, I got to meet and take photos of “Cyclone,” a cute and frisky 5-1/2-week-old miniature donkey. Born during the Ringling Circus’s summer run in Coney Island, the baby donkey was named in honor of the world-famous Cyclone roller coaster. The donkeys are housed in a section of the big top called “Animal Open House” which is open to ticketholders 90 minutes before the show. The exhibit includes both performing animals (tigers, elephants) and non-performing animals (llamas, horses, donkeys etc).

Born in Coney Island: Miniature Donkey named "Cyclone." Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i via flickr

It was a pleasure to meet third generation circus performer and animal trainer Heidi Herriott, who is in charge of the Boom A Ring’s menagerie of non-performing animals. I knew about Heidi’s work organizing a circus division for the Outdoor Amusement Business Association (OABA), but had no idea she was with Ringling in Coney Island until our mutual friend OABA President Bob Johnson said “Say Hi to Heidi.” During my visit, Heidi answered questions from guests, cleaned the stalls and set up this great photo op with the Boom A Ring’s very own Coney Island Baby. More pix in my flickr set. Thanks, Heidi!

Performances of the Coney Island Boom A Ring Circus continue through Monday, September 7. If you haven’t seen it yet, check out everybody’s photos of the show on flickr and see what you’re missing!

Circus performer and animal trainer Heidi Herriott manages Coney Island Boom a Ring's Menagerie. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i via flickr

Target the Coney Island Arcade Cat Introduces His Sister Targeretty

Posted in Animals, Photo Album, tagged balloon dart, cat, Coney Island, Coney Island Arcade, Target the Cat on July 21, 2009| 3 Comments »

Target the Cat in the Basketball Game, Coney Island. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i via flickr

Target the Cat in the Basketball Game on the Bowery near Jones Walk, Coney Island. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i via flickr

Coney Island Arcade operator Manny Cohen, who owns Target the Coney Island Arcade Cat, sent us this photo of our favorite Coney cat and his sister Targeretty. Although we’ve been taking pix of Target since 2007, we’ve never even glimpsed his shy sister.

Portrait of Target and Targeretty, the Coney Island Arcade Cats. Photo © Manny Cohen

Targeretty hides out in the office of the Coney Island Arcade while the gregarious Target makes his rounds of the arcade and the games and rides on the Bowery. Target is also the official mascot of the flickr group Coney Island is Alive and Kicking and Welcomes Visitors in 2009!

Target the Cat at Home in the Coney Island Arcade. Photo © Manny Cohen

At the beginning of the season Jimmy was interviewed for a story in the NY Times and Target’s photo was featured in the slide show along with pics of the world famous Cyclone Roller Coaster and the Wonder Wheel. I’ve taken enough photos to make a flickr set called Target the World Famous Coney Island Arcade Cat. But fame hasn’t changed Target one bit. Before the parade got started on Mermaid Day, I found Jimmy and Target working together as usual in the Balloon Dart.

Target & Jimmy Waiting for Customers. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i via flickr

Target the Coney Island Arcade Cat Stretching. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i via flickr

Target the Cat Playing with a Prize. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i via flickr

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Adorable & Adoptable: Genuine Coney Island Kittens

Posted in Animals, tagged adoption, Animals, cat, Coney Island, kitten on June 28, 2009| 1 Comment »

UPDATE JAN 2010 The Coney Island kittens pictured below have found homes, but we came across the cutest Greenpoint kitties on our friend Miss Heather’s blog

UPDATE SEPT 2009… Click here for pix of More Genuine Coney Island Kittens Up for Adoption!

Genuine Coney Island Kittens Up for Adoption!

In the tradition of Gowanus Lounge’s Adoptable Cutie of the Week, ATZ is featuring 7 cuties up for adoption. A friend who lives and works in Coney Island has 6 kittens looking for a good home. The kitties are 2 months old. I finally got to take some photos on Saturday. They are of course adorable. She also has a lovely, cuddly 7 month old kitten looking for a home.