thank you all for responding to this...
i was just letting some frustration out

Saying goodbye to rocky (the one most pictured) has been very hard. Shortly after his birth he got sick, really sick. His mother looked so sad; she knew something was wrong but, she could not help him and walking up to a female tiger that just had cubs is a sure way of getting killed. They will protect them at all cost. Yes even the ones in captivity. Then all of sudden on day three she started acting different to me so I, not using my best judgment went into her little house with her and the newborn cubs and she let me, this is pretty rare. Even more rare was the fact she allowed me to handle them one at a time. When I got to the little sick one she became uneasy and trust me I was too. She could have killed me that day but, I wanted to get him out and see if we could do anything for him.

I wrapped the little guy in my shirt and she for some reason she let me simply walk out with him. None of us could believe what just happened. Especially me but, we managed to keep him alive. He and I have spent so much time together he practically lived in my house for the next two years. That is, until he started to rearrange my furniture, literally. The last time he spent the night he was about 240lbs and had to sleep in bed with me. (nothing liked being snuggled by a real tiger all night.) The next morning he sank he teeth into my couch and moved it across the room. Oh too bad he didn’t better decorating sense. Anyway, he now is around 550lbs and as healthy as can be. I surely will miss that guy

As some of you know I volunteer at an animal rescue facility and have for the better part of 15 years. I work mainly with tigers and lions however we have many other animals at the rescue. My ultimate focus has been on the tiger. We are small part of an international effort to ensure the survival of the species. We also concentrate on educating school age children on not only the dangers of possessing these creatures but the importance of making an effort to live in conjunction with them as well as all things in nature. I have traveled around the country visiting many schools, hospitals, convalescent homes, fairs, well; pretty much any place that will allow us to deliver our message. We also gave people the opportunity to experience up close something they may never have gotten the chance to in their life time.

Today marks the end of it for me; the facility is closing after a long uphill fight to keep its doors open. Battling Federal regulations that seem to be more interested in ensuring the inspectors have jobs than protecting the animals along with the constant struggle to raise enough money to care for all of the abused and neglected animals we are contacted about has become more than impossible for the few employees and a handful of volunteers to orchestrate.

In a perfect world places like this would not have to exist. We however, do not live in such a world the need for facilities like this will continue, unfortunately.

It has been a life changing experience for me to be a part of something that has done so much good over the years. On the other hand the horror stories I could tell about some of the creatures and people I have come into contact with during my tenure here are a sad indicator of our ignorance and arrogance as humans. Yet the contrast in brutality and gentleness from these magnificent beasts is nothing less than astounding and serves a reminder of how beautiful nature can be.


Yes a sad week for me indeed...