The Circus

This Friday I am going to the last show of Ringling Circus in Cincinnati. I have seen the circus many times when it has come into town and I enjoy the fond memories it has given me. I remember big circus hats, acrobats, cotton candy and of course, the animals. Now, as I am older, I understand what the animals in this circus have had to go through. I think the freedom of the animals is important, but I can't help but feel upset about losing this part of my past. The circus has always been a wonder to me; that's the point. I've always wanted to be an acrobat and fly on the trapeze. I've wanted to live with clowns and travel the world. I love the wonder of the circus.
The animals mean very little to me in terms of being in the circus. That was never the part I was looking for. I was looking for people doing amazing things. The animals were a sight to see, but they were never the show for me. I understand not everyone feels this way. It's upsetting that losing the ability to show animals makes enough of an impact that people will no longer go to the circus.
Many big circuses can't keep performing without the income that the animals provided. It pains me that so many people will be out of a job and so many talents will go to waste. A circus is about wonder and spectacular things and it should not function only at the cost of an animal's health. I am so overjoyed that these suffering animals can retire to a nicer life, but there is so much that will be lost due to it.