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The Passing of Zenobia

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The Passing Of Major

The passing of Cosmopolitan. Click on image for story.

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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.