Month: August 2018

01
Aug
2018
Neko Cougar (2020)

Neko Cougar (2020)

Safe travels beautiful boy – April 15, 2020

NekoI’m struggling to find the words to let everyone know that we lost Neko. Expressing how much he meant to me is difficult. All the wildcat rescues are special but Neko leaves a hole in my heart that will never be filled. He and Noni (his brother) were confiscated out of an apartment in Indiana as cubs and both were declawed and very sick. I flew out to pick him up and at 13 lbs. he rode under the seat in front of me all the way back to Oregon. He was the first cougar we had ever taken in, he was so sad, and sick and I fell madly, completely in love. Two months after he came, Noni arrived in even worse shape than Neko, and of course, I fell in love all over again.

Caring for them almost nineteen years was an experience like no other and I’m so grateful to have had that time. Neko was the bravest of the two and more outgoing than Noni but they were devoted to each other. They shared the most wonderful purrs and chirps with me and were rarely ever cross. Over the past year, we started to see a change where they slowed down with Neko having the most problems. The declaw that they suffered as babies were starting to take its toll but we managed the pain with medication hoping to buy more time.

In the past few months, Neko had more and more trouble walking, his back end would wobble and he’d sit down so he didn’t fall. We consulted with our vets and tried different medication but three days ago, Neko told me it was time. His body had worn out and there was nothing we could do other than ease him peacefully to the other side.

Writing this all the memories come rushing back and break my heart all over again. He was so dear to me and to Noni and I worry how Noni will get along without him. I hope better than me because I’m gutted . . . Rescue is experiencing the highest of highs and the lowest of lows and losing Neko is something I’ll struggle with for the rest of my life. I know he’s no longer in pain and it’s selfish of me to wish he was still here but I do, I can’t help it. Safe travels beautiful boy, thank you for sharing your life with me and I hope you knew just how loved you were.️ ❤️

Posted by Cheryl Tuller in Cougars, Memorials
01
Aug
2018
Shirley Tiger (2019)

Shirley Tiger (2019)

Run free and wild, sweet girl – May 31, 2019

ShirleyWe are heartbroken to share with you that yesterday was the day we said good-bye to our Sweet Shirley Girl 😢 She hadn’t been feeling well for a very long time and at 21 years old, we worried every day. But each time we thought she was ready, she would do something like play with her favorite ball, or eat a good breakfast or chuff and rub on the fence when we came out to see her. These past three days she ate less and less and we were hoping that she would rebound, but this time she didn’t. We were all with her as she moved on to her next journey but it’s still something we struggle to process.

Shirley and Mac

Shirley and Mac

She was truly one of a kind, the dearest girl who never snarled or growled or was in a bad mood. Her welcoming chuffs were never ending and we all loved her more than we can say. She and her brother Mac came to us on 10-10-2010, the year of the tiger, and were the first tigers we had ever rescued. Mac was a huge presence and he overshadowed Shirley because she was content just to be close to him. When we lost Mac in 2013 to Fiber Sarcoma, Shirley’s well being became a concern but she had already made peace with the loss.

Shirley loved her ball

Shirley loved her ball

She soaked up the attention we gave her and became very vocal, calling to us then chuffing when we got close. She loved enrichment and became a fantastic artist over the years 🎨 Her absolute favorite thing in the world was a huge jolly ball that Lynda Hansen bought for her. Even though she was declawed it didn’t stop her from putting huge teeth marks in it and showing us what a strong tiger she was.

Over the past few years we watched her slow down, but her spirit never changed, she was everything that is good and kind wrapped up in her soul and she made everyone she met fall in love. Having the honor and privilege of caring for her for the past 11 years is something we treasure and hold close to us while we grieve. Our lives are better having cared for her but it makes the loss that much harder to live with. Safe travels beautiful girl you made our lives richer by being such a huge part of our hearts. Things will never be the same without you 😢

Shirley’s History

Shirley was born in 1998 and lived at Wild Animal Orphanage in Texas. Due to previous corrupt management, the facility could no longer afford to care for the animals and had to close down. There were over 400 animals that needed to find new homes. Shirley and her brother, Mac, were two of over 70 big cats that needed placement. With 55 tigers alone that needed sanctuary, we knew that we had to help.

Shirley and Mac arrived at WildCat Ridge on October 10, 2010. Shirley came to us in relatively good health, although she had a bite wound on her front paw. Shirley and Mac shared a huge enclosure, complete with perches, logs, trees, and lots of space to run and play! Sadly we lost Mac to cancer in 2013 despite doing all we could.

Posted by Cheryl Tuller in Memorials, Tigers
01
Aug
2018
Lala Serval (2019)

Lala Serval (2019)

Farewell, Lala – February 13, 2019

Lala

The heartbreak continues 😢 On February 13th we took LaLa in to see Dr. Lipanovich because she just wasn’t herself. She was lethargic and didn’t seem interested in food. At 22 years of age, any change in her routine was cause to worry. Her heartbeat was muffled on examination and X-rays showed a large tumor attached to her heart and fluid in her abdomen. There was no choice other than to let her go.

LaLa was a sweet quirky serval, who always looked frumpy, her coat was thick and because she was four paw declawed she couldn’t keep the mats out. She lived with Sable another serval and while they didn’t cuddle they certainly found companionship with each other. LaLa was one of the wildcats that was never any trouble. She rarely got sick, always ate well and seemed content. Her only vet visits were when we had to take her in to brush out the mats. She loved her toys and enrichment and when she was excited her tail flipped back and forth which was so adorable.

It’s hard to think about not seeing her every day, she’s been a part of WCR for over seventeen years. Losing them never gets easier but we try to find comfort in knowing she was happy and content with us. The time we have is always too short and we are so proud to have cared for her all these years. Safe travels sweet girl, life won’t be the same without you ❤️

 

Lala’s History

Jamalah, aka Lala, is an African Serval. She was purchased as a kitten in 1997 by a woman who also had small primates. The prey drive is very strong in all wildcats, and, unfortunately, the woman learned too late. Jamalah went to another home, but that didn’t work out either. So she came to live at WildCat Ridge in 2002.

Jamalah is a quirky girl who always seems a little frumpy but so adorable! She isn’t friendly with us, but she loves the other servals. She lives with Sable, another serval rescue. When she’s happy, her tail swishes back and forth in the most adorable way. But when she isn’t, watch out! Either way, this is one special serval that we all love.

Posted by Cheryl Tuller in Memorials, Servals