National Tiger Sanctuary

Can you believe it is May already, where does the time go!

Thank you all, for the much needed kind words, prayers and support during the past few months. We are all still recovering from such a great loss, and you all have made it a little easier.

All the tigers, for almost a week after Sheena passed, sensed our sadness and tired to do whatever they could to make us laugh. Dee blew bubbles for everyone; Paul, Vince and Max were even sillier, chasing each other, mock fighting, and pestering each other more than usual.  T.J. chuffed at us constantly, Mariah and Sierra played with everything they could get their paws on, or they would try to get you to play hide and seek and run with them. They really kept us smiling and laughing when all we wanted to do is cry.

Of course, we have many other things going on that have been keeping us very pre-occupied. We have been working very hard with Representative Sutherland and the Large Carnivore Bill. In January we met and spoke with quite a few Senators and Representatives in Jeff City, to determine how to pass the bill this year. Once again as in past years, Senator Kevin Engler and his very handsome dog, Winston, took the time to sit and discuss the bill with us.  Representative Joseph Fallert of Ste. Genevieve, made it a point to find us during his busy schedule, and gave us his full support. Majority Floor Leader, Steven Tilley is also a very big supporter of ours, we also had the opportunity to speak with Senator Frank Barnitz, who is on the Agriculture Committee, and to Gus Wagner who we met with, on behalf of Senator Dan Clemens(also on Agriculture Committee). We want to thank all of them again for taking the time to meet and discuss this important matter with us.

In early March, Steve Bircher, Large Carnivore Curator of the St. Louis Zoo, along with all of us, met with the House of Representatives and discussed the importance of passing this bill; they gave us their undivided attention and full support. Unfortunately, due to budget cuts in the Agriculture Dept. and some other issues with the Puppy Mill Initiative, it is stalled this year and to our disappointment, will probably not pass.

Spring came abruptly as usual and we transitioned the “kids” pools from straw to water in late March. Since then it has just been a constant battle to keep the pools clean, and since T.J. gets hotter faster than anyone else, he uses his pool 2-3 times a day. He is always the first of his siblings to lose his winter coat, Vincent unfortunately loses his last. Mariah and Sierra love to get in their pool before it fills and splash, which of course takes longer to fill. We gave Dee their old pool, and she and Paul (who was terrified of that pool last year) share it when we switch them around. Since Paul needs more time outs from his brothers, we switch them often. Max is always the last to use the pool, he doesn’t like getting wet.

In the past few months we welcomed pre-vet students from Missouri University, Southern Illinois University, Southeast Missouri State University, Jefferson College veterinarian technician students, Home Schools, MU Tigers for Tigers, Girl and Boy Scout Troops, Mineral Area College Educational Talent Search, and many birthday parties of all ages.

A special thanks to Ann and Laura Raymer for bringing a couple of new bowling balls. We gave one to Banshee and the other to Mariah and Sierra. The three of them keep us very entertained with their antics.

Also want to thank all of our friends who have sent such wonderful recommendation letters, with your help and your prayers we know we will succeed in finding a new home for us. As far as we can tell this summer will be our last one here.  More than likely  we will be packing it all up in July so please come soon for this will be the last time you will be able to visit us at this location.

March 4th, 2010 | Category: Uncategorized | Comments (6)