Cheryl Tuller

01
Oct
2018
Kennewick (2020)

Kennewick (2020)

Safe travels old man Kenn, run wild and free. ❤️

Kennewick It breaks our hearts that our amazing old man Kennewick did not survive the stress and trauma of the fire evacuation in September 2020. 😢

It’s really difficult to face this because he’s been a part of the Sanctuary for so many years and had overcome so much in his time with us. But for a twenty-four-year-old wild cougar to be crated and moved in this chaos was too much even for Kennewick. We tried to do everything we could to get him to rebound, but he refused to eat and each day he lost more and more of the wildness in his eyes. 😔

Despite a full exam by the vets at Wildlife Safari and medical intervention, he had given up and we had to respect his wishes and let him go ❤️ I can’t even comprehend that I’m writing this, it’s been devastating to all of us and something we will grieve over for a lifetime. 😢

We are grateful for the time we had with him and heartbroken that he made the decision to leave, but we’ve learned over the many years that when the wildcats tell us it’s time, we must respect their wishes even though it breaks our hearts. 😔

Safe travels old man, finally free at last to leave all the confines that held you to us. 😢

Kennewick’s Story

Kennewick, a wild cougar, was found hiding in a mechanic’s garage in Kennewick, Washington in May of 2005. He was emaciated, covered in ticks, and very sick. Once captured by WDFW, he broke out his canine teeth in the crate he was in. The authorities were going to destroy him, but the public outcry made them change their minds. At the time, it was determined that he was between 9 & 11 years old.

WildCat Ridge stepped up to offer him a lifetime home. He has made a remarkable recovery and went from an emaciated 90 pounds to 180 pounds! He’s doing great and is the oldest cougar that lives at the Sanctuary. He has his own space and doesn’t have to share which is perfect for him. At first we wondered if we had done the right thing to take this cougar in but he has convinced us that it was the right thing to do. He is truly an incredible old man.

New title

Kennewick arrives at WCR - Article from November 2005

Kennewick arriving at WCR
Posted by Cheryl Tuller in Cougars, Memorials
01
Sep
2018
Leo Cougar (2021)

Leo Cougar (2021)

We will never forget you, beautiful Leo – June 2021

Leo

Leo

Today we have to share that we lost our dear sweet Leo 😢 As an older cougar he’d been slowing down and we were keeping a close watch over him but when he had a small stroke which made it difficult for him to walk, we knew it was time. He was surrounded by the people who loved and cared for him as he moved onto his final journey.
He came to us as a sick, weakly cub who had been surrendered after being purchased as a pet. His joints were swollen, his fur was falling out and he was very thin, but he was purring non-stop and we fell in love immediately 🥰

It took weeks of vet care, a proper diet, and constant attention but Leo started to thrive. He went from a sad cub to a very feisty boy who was all claws, teeth, and energy! Thankfully the cat gods intervened and shortly after Leo arrived we got a call for another young cougar cub that needed a home! We were thrilled to welcome Cody who was just a few months younger than Leo and they formed a friendship that lasted their entire lives ❤️
Losing Leo has broken our already wounded hearts and it’s something that we will be healing from for a very long time. He was such a huge part of our lives for so many years, it just doesn’t seem real that we will never hear that wonderful purr of his 😔 Sweet dreams beautiful boy we will hear your chirps and purrs in our memories forever . . .

Leo’s history
Leo came to WildCat Ridge as a cub in 2004. He had been purchased as a pet from an animal auction in Iowa. Thankfully, the people who bought him decided to place him in a more suitable environment.

When we first saw Leo, he was about 12 weeks old and he was not doing well. The vet found that his joints were swollen, his fur was falling out, and he simply wasn’t thriving like he should have been. Thankfully, with good vet care and a healthy diet, Leo has grown into a beautiful adult cougar.

Leo shares an enclosure with one other cougar, Cody. We couldn’t be more pleased for these two boys, and we know that their lives are much fuller and vastly more enriched having each other as companions. It’s so sad that cougars are bred and sold as “pets”, but at least these two will never have to worry about anything other than romping around and enjoying life.

*Sadly in December of 2020 we lost Cody to renal failure 😢 Leo was moved over to be by Noni and he seems to be doing fine, although I’m sure he misses him.

Posted by Cheryl Tuller in Cougars, Memorials
01
Sep
2018
Kenya Serval (2016)

Kenya Serval (2016)

Safe travels, sweet Kenya

KenyaOften times it’s difficult to find words for the way we feel. This past week has been a struggle and it’s only now that I can actually write about what happened. We had to make the difficult decision to let Kenya go. He was the first serval I had ever met and the first to rescue. He came to us as an 8 month old boy in 2000. His owners were already fed up with him. Wanting an exotic cat but not knowing the first thing about caring for one, Kenya was fed regular cat food, declawed on all four feet and because of the constant diarrhea he had from the incorrect diet, he was kept in a small laundry room. He was very thin and nervous and his owners couldn’t wait to get him out of their lives. For me it was love at first sight ❤️

The trip home was stressful, he wouldn’t stop rubbing his face on the crate and by the time we got back his face was rubbed raw 🙁 It was just one of many lessons Kenya would teach me over the next years that wild animals are not pets and thankfully we both survived 🙂

He thrived at the sanctuary for over sixteen years but early last week he became lethargic and just wasn’t himself. A complete physical exam showed congestive heart failure and spondylosis but we decided to try medication before making a final decision. He came home and stayed in the big crate in my office so I could keep an eye on him. He spent the next few days purring and talking to me, but continued to decline. Early Tuesday morning I called Dr. Lipanovich and I’m so grateful to her for coming out and helping make his final journey peaceful. Knowing that he is no longer in pain is comforting but my heart is broken once again. Safe travels sweet boy ❤️

Posted by Cheryl Tuller in Memorials, Servals
01
Sep
2018
Cleo Bobcat (2021)

Cleo Bobcat (2021)

Safe travels, little princess – June 2021

Cleo

Cleo

In rescue, we understand that bad days come with the good. But that doesn’t mean it gets any easier. Even after over twenty years the loss of a life you’ve loved, cared for, and cherished still takes your heart and shatters it into a million pieces. We are heartbroken to share that we said goodbye to our sweet Cleo. 😢  Even knowing she was 23 still didn’t prepare us for that final moment. But in true bobcat style, she let us know that her work here was done and it was time to ease into her final journey.

So many memories came flooding back, seeing her for the first time and learning the abuse she had endured. 🙁  Watching her blossom and thrive under our care, her complete dedication to her best friend Bobby with whom she had shared her life. Looking back on all the years she was part of our lives, we are richer for knowing her and caring for her but it leaves an emptiness that shatters our souls. Safe travels little girl, sleep peacefully, and know we miss you every day . . .

Cleo’s history
Cleo was purchased in Oregon at an Exotic Pet Show in 1998, from a breeder who said she was a bobcat-hybrid. She was only four-week-old. Her naive owners decided to have their veterinarian do a ‘Tendonectomy’ (surgery that severed her tendons on all four feet) so she couldn’t use her claws. She was fed domestic cat food and lived in their garage. When a nasty break-up between the owners happened, Cleo came to us in 2004.

She was in terrible shape when she arrived, but with a wholesome natural diet and good vet care, she thrived! Unfortunately, because she had her tendons severed, she is unable to wear down her claws, so they continue to grow. Every 6 months she has to be anesthetized and have her claws trimmed so they don’t imbed into her pads. Something that we hate doing, because there is a risk with each procedure, but we have no other choice. Sad to think that a veterinarian would do this to a wildcat that can’t be touched. Cleo now lives alone having lost her best boy, Bobby and then Bailey Rae. She seems to be doing ok and we are keeping a close eye on her and providing extra attention and enrichment.

Posted by Cheryl Tuller in Bobcats, Memorials
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
01
Jun
2018
Josie Bobcat (2019)

Josie Bobcat (2019)

Safe travels, and run free, little lady – May 2019 

JosieJosie was the second wildcat to come to WildCat Ridge back in 1998. She came from a facility in Georgia that couldn’t keep her. Josie was just six months old when she arrived and she became BoBo’s lifelong companion. She was twenty-one years old when she had a seizure in May of 2019. We rushed her to the clinic but found a huge tumor on her heart and she had thrown a blood clot  As heartbreaking as it was, we didn’t wake her up from the anesthesia.

Even though we knew the time would come sooner than later, losing her was still unexpected. Caring for her and being part of her life for so many years it’s still hard to process that we’ll never see her putting silly things on her head, or hear her purr or watch her cuddling with BoBo. She taught us about bobcats and made us want to do all we could for the ones that came after her. Josie was so dear to us and she leaves a huge hole in our hearts. Safe travels sweet girl, we miss you every day.

Posted by Cheryl Tuller in Bobcats, Memorials
01
Jun
2018
Nyssa Cougar (2020)

Nyssa Cougar (2020)

Safe travels, beautiful girl – November 2020

Nyssa

Nyssa

~ The lives of animals are woven into our very being – closer than our own breathing – and our soul suffers when they are gone. ~
We have suffered another devastating loss two weeks ago. Our precious Nyssa is gone. 😢

Caryn our Senior Keeper found her unresponsive on her deck just before feeding. She started having seizures and while we were gathering up medication she took her last breath. We were shocked and stunned as Nyssa was a young cat and always healthy.
Through our tears, we loaded her up immediately and took her to Oregon Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory in Corvallis for a necropsy so we could find some answers or any answer to what happened. But despite having a complete examination done, they didn’t find anything concrete.
No toxins, no infection they could find, no vascular disease, and nothing in the brain that showed anything that would have triggered seizures. 😔

Losing her was devastating enough but not knowing exactly what happened will always haunt me …

Nyssa came to WCR in 2007 as a young cub. She had been purchased as a pet and her original owners realized very quickly what a mistake they made. They were thrilled that we agreed to take her. She was tough, fearless, bold and we fell madly in love. ❤️

She grew into a stunningly beautiful, confident cougar who would purr as soon as she saw us. But make no mistake, she was a force to be reckoned with and could go from purring to growling and spitting in an instant! Nyssa epitomized everything wild, wonderful, and incredible that a cougar is. Losing her this way has taken a toll on everyone here, she was such a huge part of the Sanctuary and we miss her more than we can say. Our time with her was far too short, but now she is free from any pain and the world that held her captive.

Safe travels, beautiful girl. 😢

Posted by Cheryl Tuller in Cougars, Memorials
06
May
2018
Bobo Bobcat (2018)

Bobo Bobcat (2018)

We will never forget you, sweet Bobo – April 12 2018

BoboThe loving thoughts that were shared about losing BoBo touched our hearts and will make the healing process easier. Thank you all for your kind words 🙏❤️

I apologize for the very long post. Where to start . . . two days ago I had to make the call that I’m still reeling from, even though I knew it was coming. Our boy BoBo has moved on to his next journey. So how do I write about the cat that has been a part of my life for 22 years? The many memories run through my head and take me back all the way to the beginning. Meeting this tiny little kitten that I fell completely and madly in love with, took me from a 41-year-old suburbanite to someone who’s life completely changed as well as my unsuspecting family’s. An ad in the Oregonian (1996) for ‘Hybrid Bobcat Kitten’ was too hard to pass up as a cat lover.

My sensible but cat-loving husband said absolutely NOT and within the week BoBo was in our home 😊 BoBo became the love of my life, even as he got older and more of a challenge. I was determined that I was the one person who could make this little bobcat a pet. It took BoBo a full two years to finally convince me that nope, that wasn’t happening. Bless his heart, he tried over and over to let me know, but I was blind to the fact that he was, of course, and always would be a wild animal. Because of this tiny little kitten and the lessons he taught me my life had taken a path I would never have imagined.

I try to fool myself into thinking that despite the mistake of buying a wildcat, I’m making amends by providing lifetime homes for others that need a place to live out their lives. And we are, but when people ask, ‘if you could do it all over again, would you?’ My answer is always absolutely not. It’s a tough and heartbreaking way to live, it takes over and becomes a 24 hour, 365 day a year commitment. It would have been so much easier to have just stayed a suburbanite with a 9 to 5 job and a normal life. But BoBo changed that course and he became the founding father of what has become WildCat Ridge Sanctuary. Of course, he didn’t understand that he was just glad to finally live as a wildcat the way he always should have. And now he’s gone . . .

I am happy that he lived a long, healthy life, yet I feel a little cheated I didn’t have more time with him. But that’s my selfish nature talking. It was time to let him go and I had to listen to him just like I’ve been listening to him for 22 years. Safe travels BoBo, I miss you and will always cherish our memories. You truly made a difference in my life and so many others ❤️

Posted by Cheryl Tuller in Bobcats, Memorials