For decades now, Eric Idle has been a meat-free (though not seafood-free) human being. His healthy vegetarian lifestyle probably spanned from a number of things, though two of those prominent items would have to be a love for vegetables and Thai gourmet foods, and for his love of animals.Eric, along with his family, are members of the animal rescue and safe-keeping organization entitled Best Friends Animal Society. Best Friends is not only a group of dedicated animal lovers across the globe, but it is an actual place. It just so happens to be the world's largest animal sanctuary, and is located in Angel Canyon, Utah (not far from Kanab). The sanctuary itself is home to about 1,500 animals on any given day on its 33,000 acre ranch, and the Idles have visited the site at least a few times and have volunteered (and there is even a small rumor that Lily would like to consider working there some day). Eric even went onto their public radio station and talked about his pets at home, as well as his love for English involvement with animals, such as "Badger Watch" and the famous sheep dog trials.The dog-loving Idles even attended Best Friend's Los Angeles Roller Lint Party back on May 6th, 2005.But involvement with Best Friends isn't Eric's only dealings with animals. Besides his two pet dogs at home (a German Shephard named Shadow and a Beagle named Bagel), Eric has worked with animals in films and on television, and has even played them in movies such as 'The Wind In The Willows' (or Mr. Toad's Wild Ride to U.S. residents) and '102 Dalmations'. In 'The Wind In The Willows', Eric plays the kind, friendly character Ratty who is, of course, a rat. This film is actually live action, so Eric was bestowed upon whisper, fake ears, pointy teeth and, yes, a nice long swishing tail. In 102 Dalmations, however, he only lends his voice to the cocky parrot Waddlesworth who thinks he is a dog (a Rottweiler, to be exact) rather than a bird. He also plays as the evil mouse Martin in The Secret Of NIMH 2, a dragon named Devon in Quest For Camelot, and a sly fox called Slyly in Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Movie. Likewise, he has also been seen with animals on MAD TV, and played the Pied Piper in Faerie Tale theatre in which he was surrounded by rats. (Though, his first dealings with rats were actually in The Rutles via the Rat Kellar scene. "Oh dear, there's a rat up my leg...")Probably the most awkward Eric-animal moment, however, is when Eric had an otter on top of his head.Whether it be in real life or for his films, dealings with animals adds an extra sweetness and kindess to Eric's all-around personality, and his charity and involvement with Best Friends is a definite plus and appreciation from animal lovers everywhere.
