From the Journal ob Baxter

Paris Log, Carousel Day
Jardin des Plantes, The Dodo Manège
Emotional Status: Awestruck

Today I saw a panda.
Not a real one. A wooden one. But also a ghost ob history, apparently. Fish said it was extinct, and I said, “No it’s not, pandas still exist,” and he got that very serious look he does when he thinks you’be missed the metaphor. Then he said, “Emotionally extinct, Baxter. Spiritually endangered.” So, I picked it.

The Dodo Manège isn’t like the merry-go-rounds we’re used to. No painted ponies or frilly saddles. This one is quiet, almost reberent, and weird in the best way. Everything on it used to be real, long ago, but now it’s just remembered in carbed wood and tiny giggles from the kids brabe enuff to ride a prehistoric horned sea turtle – Peter and Jenni were!

It feels like time stopped here. Like someone whispered to the forgotten beasts, “Come back for a bit. Let the little ones know you existed.” And somehow, they did.

I held onto my boba tightly, trying not to spill it while we spun in slow circles fru the timeline ob vanished creatures. Teddy sat beside me, paws up like he was dribing. He always acts braber when there’s an audience.

Fish took about ten thousand pictures. Barry arribed halfway fru and just stood there smiling at the whole thing, arms folded like he was proud the past still had a place. Dougie tried to interbiew the dodo. Reuben clung to the prehistoric giraffe’s neck like it might lurch into the air and blast off into memory-space.

It made me fink:
What if we all go away someday too?
Maybe someone will build a carousel of us.
Or maybe we’ll just be stories.
Or crepe crumbs.
Or blurry polaroids wiff scribbled notes.

I’m OK wiff that.
But I hope the ride keeps going.

—Baxter xoxo

Extinction Avoidance Specialist
Currently sticky from bubble tea
Teddy rating: “10/10 would ride again”