Farewell, Nick!

Nick giving Casey Bear some birthday love

Triple "D" will be saying goodbye to one of the trainers, Nick, tomorrow.  He is leaving for personal reasons unrelated to Triple "D" and we are so saddened by his departure and he will be TRULY missed by the staff, clients, and the animals. We wish him the best in his future & hope to see him again real soon!

Casey's reaction to Nick leaving...

Happy Birthday, Casey Bear!!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO CASEY BEAR!!!!  Casey got to celebrate his first birthday (Jan 17) with his family at DDD!  And of course, his mom has him on a strict diet, so we kept his treats mostly along the healthy line; carrot cake, cheesecake, apple pie, & strawberry muffins.  (He did manage to get some cotton candy flavored cupcakes however, with frosting on top spelling out "Casey Bear.")  He had a blast as the DDD crew & guests watched him celebrate!  A special thank you to Jeff Wendorff for being our photographer & providing these amazing photos of our special black bear, Casey....

The Birthday setup...
complete with Pooh Bear 1st birthday party hats & plates!

We love you Casey Bear!!!!!

Casey Bear's 1st birthday!

Casey & his mama, Heather

Casey & his DDD family (Heather, Nick, & Jesse)

Nick & Casey

The birthday boy

SNOW!!!!

LET IT SNOW!!!  This crazy winter finally gave way to some snow this past week!  We want to thank the last two groups that made it out!!  Thanks to our guests who attending our Winter Special & our "Animals in Winter" weekend!  And also a big thank you to another successful workshop with Jeff Wendorff!  We had a packed 8 days of filming, but the animals did great & consistently make us proud!  Thanks to the snow, our arctic foxes (Honey & Jeff) had their winter and 2012 debut this morning, and those eyes on Honey are to die for!

Heather trying on Montana's
version of a Snuggie

Nick & Otis right before
the snow really fell

Filming or not, however, we're always at work...In fact, we even put our talent to work!  Not sure how good of a job it is, but they try...so 'A' for effort!!!

Back in September, Canon Master of Light, Bruce Dorn, shot a promotional video with our trainer, Heather  and our mountain lion cubs, Kali & Khia.  Check it out!!!!

http://www.learn.usa.canon.com/galleries/galleries/tutorials/environmental_portraits_with_speedlites.shtml

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!  I hope everyone had a SAFE and happy new year celebration!  Although its January, it feels more like spring here in Kalispell...Unfortunately, there is only just a bit of snow on the ground, but the weather is calling for snow tonight, so fingers crossed!!!

Filming for 2012 begins this Saturday! YAY!!!  We will be hosting our Winter Special & look forward to welcoming our guests, new & returning, and introducing them to our amazing animals!  

Also, if you tried to click on the links from last week, here are a couple of better links for GMA & Fox Morning News.  Thanks, Carolyn Wright!!

Good Morning America: http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/video/nat-geo-wild-kicks-off-big-cat-week-15103664

Fox Morning News: http://video.foxnews.com/v/1314809851001/big-cats-on-americas-newsroom/?playlist_id=86909

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!! (and happy belated Thanksgiving....)  Its been WAY too long since we've updated our blog & we are TRULY sorry!  We hope everyone had a safe and happy holiday season & continues to do so through the new year!  Remember, if you like our blog, become a member!  Thanks!


As you all know (or may not), Triple D can sometimes be compared to New York City in that its a business that never sleeps.  Just a couple of weeks ago that similarity was brought to life as our mountain lion cubs, Kali & Khia, were invited to help promote Big Cat Week for NatGeo Wild in the Big Apple. 



Kali (left) & Khia (right) get their
first glimpse at life in the Big Apple



(Left to Right) Bill Hemmer, Casey Anderson, Kali & Khia, Heather Keepers on Fox Morning News promoting 'Stalking the Mountain Lion' for Big Cat Week on NatGeo Wild

December 7th, Kali & Khia made their national television debut on Good Morning America and Fox Morning News.   Sharing the spotlight with Casey Anderson, the girls did not disappoint!  Decked out in crystal collars, pink leashes, and of course their best behavior, its no wonder that Fox wanted more of them.  As our trainer, Heather (who escorted our superstars to NYC) was waiting to board her plane back to Montana, a last minute call came in asking her to get the cats off the plane and stay through the weekend to have the girls be on Fox & Friends on Monday morning, December12.  After weeks of intense planning a five day trip quickly turned into an eleven day trip, but in the end, it was well worth it. 

 

Kali (right) & Khia (left) relaxing the tub at The Muse Hotel in NYC 



Click on the following links to see the girls' debut on LIVE national television!  We are so proud!

Teaser for GMA:  http://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.php?v=695561322556 

 

GMA segment:  http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/t/video/nat-geo-wild-kicks-off-big-cat-week-15103664

 

Fox Morning News:  http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fvideo.foxnews.com%2Fv%2F1314809851001%2Fbig-cats-on-americas-newsroom%2F%3Fplaylist_id%3D86909&h=9AQFLRiSNAQEQpw7ZRe-4DKqKMQmj9OXbY-W54g18lDM4ng

 Fox & Friends:  http://www.foxnews.com/on-air/fox-friends/index.html#/v/1322695271001/big-cat-week/?playlist_id=86912



Even Casey Anderson was like the Paparazzi taking Kali's
picture as she analyzed Times Square







Heather & Casey bear waiting on set with Grizzly Creek Films





Heather & Kali (napping) while Casey Anderson (on right in background) filmed with Khia for a new XBOX Kinect video game


Let it snow! (or don't...)  Winter is upon us at the Triple D with little spurts of snow showers.  The chill is definitely in the air, but that's not stopping anyone from training, filming, and working!  Nick & Heather spent last Sunday-Friday with Casey Anderson & Grizzly Creek Films in Bozeman.  Many hours were put in perfecting behaviors & shots of Casey (the bear) and Kali & Khia, our 2 mtn lion cubs.  They are going to be a part of Casey Anderson's new NatGeo Wild series, as well as his very own interactive video game for kids on XBOX Kinect.  (The game is scheduled to be released in March of 2012.)  Nick & Heather were also lucky enough to be a part of a private premier viewing of Casey's newest show "Stalking the Mountain Lion" scheduled to be aired on December 11, 2011 on NatGeo Wild.  This show features Triple D mountain lion star, Atilli, so set your DVR for the exciting event!! 



Kali on a ridge, posing for many segments
of Casey Anderson's projects



Heather with Khia (on her back) & Kali (front) in between takes on a ridge in Bozeman, MT.





Jesse showing off his chainsaw skills as he helps get yet another water compound ready for filming

Nick gets instructions from Jesse in order to put a fence around our newest water filming site.

Sorry for the delayed post! The work never stops here at the Triple D!  The staff has been working diligently on getting various filming sites up and running for the winter.  We now have a new water filming site ready for action!  Its gorgeous & we are excited to begin filming there!  

Nick & Heather are getting ready for a five day road trip to Bozeman to continue filming with NatGeo Wild! star, Casey Anderson.  Mr.  Anderson has just announced his partnership with XBOX Kinect & a new interactive video game to be released next year.  We are SO excited to be a part of this!  The game will feature animated footage of our mountain lion cubs, Kali & Khia, as well as (of course), little Casey bear! 






Casey bear posing on a log, getting ready for our five day road trip to Bozeman.




Casey working on his mark as Nick loads up the feed stick with his favorite treat...CHEESE!