GATOR AID!
Emotional support reptile cools off in Pennsylvania park
WALLY the gator made a big splash when he was walked on a leash through a cooling fountain in Philadelphia’s LOVE Park — but the toothy reptile’s owner, Joie Henney, insists there’s no cause for alarm!
That’s because Wally is registered with the federal government as an emotional support animal and, according to Joie, is as affectionate as can be.
Wally sleeps with his 69-year-old pal, who says “when he turns his nose towards you — that means he expects a kiss.”
Joie even takes the saurian to the grocery store — and the critter minds his manners even at the meat counter!.
Wally was on his best behavior at the park, letting strangers pet him while lying on his belly in the cooling water.
Joie says Wally is one of several gators he owns and claims the scaly creature helped pull him through a deep funk.
“I went through a real hard depression and he brought me out of it,” he explains.
“My doctor wanted to give me anti-depression medicine and I refused to take it.”
Instead, he got emotional support and affection from Wally, who he insists is “super sweet-natured.” Meanwhile, social media posters weren’t so sure. “Can this person really be this ignorant?” writes one. “Any creature can be ‘federally registered.’ It is a scam. You pay a price and you get a ‘registration’ certificate which is worthless, means nothing. “Maybe I should get a support rattlesnake. Registered, of course.”
A poster claiming to be “retired NYPD” snarks: “It’s all fun and games until someone loses an arm.”
Adds a third: “Cannot change the nature of a wild animal, the gator will eat you and your emotional support when it is big enough.”
Finally, another troll declares, “Scott, beam me up. There is no intelligent life on this planet.”
Wonder if Wally’s feelings are hurt.