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ALL DONATIONS MADE TO SANCTUARY FOR
THE CARE OF THE ANIMALS ARE TAX DEDUCIBLE BY LAW.
The
Passing of Zenobia
(click Image for Story)
The Passing Of Major
The passing of Cosmopolitan. Click on image for
story.
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The links below are for some of the
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eNovember 25, 2007

The Staff of Destiny Big Cat Sacntuary
regrets to inform it's patrons, friends, and past visitors alike of the
passing of Baja, our beloved Siberian tiger.
Baja had been undergoing treatment
for several months for what was thought to have been arthritus, and later
turned out to be bone cancer. Throughout the entire ordeal, Baja was as
active as he ever was, and never showed any signs of pain, or loss of
spirit. In fact it was always the staff's and veterinarian's concerns
of his standard level of activity would lead to aggravating his condition.
However, as soon as the first bump appeared, and grew rapidly within a
week, the team was assembled and Baja was knocked down for a more invasive
examination. The mass was indeed a tumor, and it was growing from his
hip socket, Not only was it weakening his leg, but it was also beginning
to twist it inward. Surgery would only slow the cancer for a very short
time, and his leg was already beginning to weaken. All involved knew that
Baja was not the kind of cat to slow down in any way. The mere thought
of what ghastly injury lay ahead was enough for the staff and veterinarians
to make the hard choice to do what was best for Baja. A group of old friends,
patrons, and even former handlers had gathered at the compound to show
their support. When it was time, Baja, like all the other beloved animals
here at Destiny that have passed, was surrounded by many of those who
loved him. In the tradition of this compound, Baja wore the St. Francis
medal that all who have passed before wore, and also the medicine bag
with pinches of their fur so that he might recognize their scents on the
other side. Prayers were said, and Baja passed in the arms of his friends.
All of the doors to Baja's habitat were immediately opened to ensure that
his spirit would never know captivity on the start of it's next journery...
Baja was the original big cat to be
provided a home by Destiny. It was the blazing path that he cut that set
the tone for what life should be like for any animal that found itself
fortunate enough to live at the sanctuary. The lessons learned by those
who raised him set the standards for how the residents of Big Cat Sanctuary
would be cared for, and how their needs should be met. Baja was an extremely
active tiger, especially for his age. He played every day. He hunted his
meal each day. There was no "merely waiting at his feed gate".
He hid behind trees and rocks, and pounced on his bowl! He napped, he
rolled, he swam, he played...he thoroughly enjoyed his life. If you never
met Baja...think of an 800lb combination of Tiggr & Hobbs. Baja truely
celebrated being a tiger....a big...strong...and handsome tiger.
While
Baja had his moments of being a tiger to humans...and there were a few
times that he reminded us just exactly who and what he was...he always
seemed to have an infinite amount of patience for all other animals. He
got along with all of the other big cats on the compound, which cannot
be said for the rest the residents. He was much older than the other cats,
yet each one except Isis, spent a lot of their cub time with him, harrassing
him and learning big cat etiquette. He played with everyone...from house
cats and dogs, to rascally cubs that found their way here. The only animal
the staff ever saw Baja give a hard time to was Zenobia. And that only
happened when Zenobia was in his "Mr Bossy Lion" mode, and Baja
would unmercifully tease Zen into a frothing furball of anger...and then
walk away leaving Zen in a livid and confused state. We would swear that
we could see a look on Baja's face as if he was saying, "That'll
teach you".
Baja was the true heart and soul of
Destiny Big Cat Sanctuary. Taz was the bravest, Cosmo the most beautiful,
and Zen was just the friendliest lion that anyone could ever hope to meet.
But, Baja is who started it all. Without Baja, Destiny would have never
happened. The staff, and all of the people involved would never have the
memories and experiences that they will never forget. Without the way
that Baja lived his life, and the lessons that the staff learned from
him, the other residents of Destiny would have never known what was truely
possible for cats who live in captivity. Baja made the most of his life,
and took advantage of every opportunity and enrichment that the staff
could ever create and offer. The lessons that we take from Baja are important
ones...ones that we humans rarely find a way to enjoy. Baja celebrated
being exactly who he was. He was as much of a tiger as any tiger could
be...and he enjoyed every second of it. He was who he was. We humans have
too many fears...of expressing ourselves, being our true selves, and being
comfortable in our own skins. Not Baja...he was happy to be exactly who
and what he was each and every day of his life.
Thank
you Baja...for the memories that we will keep forever...for the pride
that we will always have for the work that we did at Destiny Big Cat Sanctuary...for
the lessons in life that we can always fall back on to get through hard
times. We are all so grateful for the opportunity to be part of something
that has been so much bigger than ourselves...
You will always be our BIG...Strong....AND
Handsome Tiger

Destiny Big Cat Sanctuary's mission
is to provide a safe and healthy last stop sanctuary for exotic cats and
to heighten awareness and further the public's education about the very
real threat of extinction these beautiful and majestic beings face.
We take our guardianship of these magnificent animals as a
tremendous privilege.
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