This time of year, we look forward to a special Hopekids event at a cowboy ranch. This year, it was hosted by Flying-E Ranch in Wickenburg. The host ranch always goes to great lengths to bring fun experiences to the kids and their families.

This time, there was an unusual petting zoo! They told us that this racoon is a TV and Movie star. If a show has had a racoon in it recently, it was probably him.

He is awfully cute!

I don’t think this skunk was famous, but he was fuzzy!

I have never pet a fox before!

We got a private wagon ride around the trails

The horseback riding is what the boys come for, especially Brendan! He would have stayed all day to be sure to ride each one if he could.

A young cowboy tried to teach Brendan how to use a lasso

Back to the petting zoo for some more typical animal encounters – Goats!

This part made Trevor’s day. He would LOVE to have a pet snake!

This is a Gopher snake and a happy child!

Brendan loved holding it too!

They wanted to put it into a pocket and take it home!

Then they met this big bearded dragon and they wanted one of those too!

Especially one that would perch on your head!

We appreciate all of the volunteers, Flying-E Ranch, Hopekids, and the Phoenix Herpetological Society!