Carole Baskins Diary

Hi, I’m Carole Baskin and I’ve been writing my story since I was able to write, but when the media goes to share it, they only choose the parts that fit their idea of what will generate views.  These are my views and opinions. If I'm going to share my story, it should be the whole story.  The titles are the dates things happened. If you have any interest in who I really am please start at the beginning of this playlist: http://savethecats.org/

 

I know there will be people who take things out of context and try to use them to validate their own misconception, but you have access to the whole story.  My hope is that others will recognize themselves in my words and have the strength to do what is right for themselves and our shared planet.  

 

You can help feed the cats at no cost to you using Amazon Smile!

Visit BigCatRescue.org/Amazon-smile

 

You can see photos, videos and more, updated daily at BigCatRescue.org

 

Check out our main channel at YouTube.com/BigCatRescue

 

Music (if any) from Epidemic Sound (http://www.epidemicsound.com) This video is for entertainment purposes only and is my opinion.  Closing graphic with permission from https://youtu.be/F_AtgWMfwrk

When you’re paranoid, everyone looks like a threat

Today I was scrambling to finish an hour long video montage of our past 25 years, when Afton texted saying she had the rescued bobcat (Warrior) in her car and she was coming down Easy Street.  I absently left my gun at my desk as I bolted out the door, hopped on my bike and pedaled up to the hospital to gather footage.

 

As I returned to the Party House, I jumped off my bike, as it was still rolling, ran up the stairs, into the house and was at the sink pouring myself a glass of water.  I looked out the window overlooking the patio where I’d just rolled in, and there, with his back to me, sitting on the ground, was a man.

 

I had to have flown right by him, without seeing him, so why was he still sitting there, so nonchalantly?

 

Why would he feel confident enough to have his back to me?

 

What was in his hands?

 

Breathlessly, I called Jamie and asked if she had any idea who this stranger on the porch might be.  Turns out he’s the DJ for Sunday’s volunteer party and he was here to check out our sound system.

 

Hi, I’m Carole Baskin and I’ve been writing my story since I was able to write, but when the media goes to share it, they only choose the parts that fit their idea of what will generate views.  These are my views and opinions. If I'm going to share my story, it should be the whole story.  The titles are the dates things happened. If you have any interest in who I really am please start at the beginning of this playlist: http://savethecats.org/

 

I know there will be people who take things out of context and try to use them to validate their own misconception, but you have access to the whole story.  My hope is that others will recognize themselves in my words and have the strength to do what is right for themselves and our shared planet.  

 

You can help feed the cats at no cost to you using Amazon Smile!

Visit BigCatRescue.org/Amazon-smile

 

You can see photos, videos and more, updated daily at BigCatRescue.org

 

Check out our main channel at YouTube.com/BigCatRescue

 

Music (if any) from Epidemic Sound (http://www.epidemicsound.com) This video is for entertainment purposes only and is my opinion.  Closing graphic with permission from https://youtu.be/F_AtgWMfwrk

Today Howie called and said the FBI believes my life is in danger.

Cardiogram tells me that spiked my heart rate from 70 to 95 but that’s nothing compared to last Wednesday when it went to 143 for no apparent reason, so all in all, I think I’m taking the news pretty well.

 

Our attorney, Heather Hintz, in OKC said the FBI there intercepted something to make them think I’m in imminent danger, so they contacted the FBI here, who are supposed to call Howie and I later today.  They don’t want us to tell anyone because they want to catch the person and use their testimony to put Joe Schreibvogel away for a while.

 

I think the police are totally inept, so the very fact that they know something is about to happen, means the person doing it is really sloppy and stupid, which means catching them should be pretty easy.

 

Meanwhile, Howie doesn’t want me to tell anyone, and doesn’t want me out on property, or coming and going from the property, so I’m feeling like I’m the prisoner here.

 

Hi, I’m Carole Baskin and I’ve been writing my story since I was able to write, but when the media goes to share it, they only choose the parts that fit their idea of what will generate views.  These are my views and opinions. If I'm going to share my story, it should be the whole story.  The titles are the dates things happened. If you have any interest in who I really am please start at the beginning of this playlist: http://savethecats.org/

 

I know there will be people who take things out of context and try to use them to validate their own misconception, but you have access to the whole story.  My hope is that others will recognize themselves in my words and have the strength to do what is right for themselves and our shared planet.  

 

You can help feed the cats at no cost to you using Amazon Smile!

Visit BigCatRescue.org/Amazon-smile

 

You can see photos, videos and more, updated daily at BigCatRescue.org

 

Check out our main channel at YouTube.com/BigCatRescue

 

Music (if any) from Epidemic Sound (http://www.epidemicsound.com) This video is for entertainment purposes only and is my opinion.  Closing graphic with permission from https://youtu.be/F_AtgWMfwrk

A special 25th anniversary message from Big Cat Rescue's Founder Carole Baskin:

When I saved a bobcat kitten at an animal auction from certain death on November 4, 1992 and named her Windsong, I really had no idea what I was doing …nor what the future would hold. It seems almost impossible, but today marks 25 years since that very first exotic cat stole my heart and set the wheels in motion for what would become Big Cat Rescue.

 

Fast forward to today. I’m proud to say our sanctuary has rescued over 250 exotic cats, shut down every exotic cat fur farm in America, advocated fiercely for strong laws to protect big cats, rehabilitated and released more than 45 wild native Florida bobcats, and educated millions of people about the plight of captive big cats kept as pets, bred for cub-petting schemes, and exploited at roadside zoos, fairs and circus acts.

 

It hasn’t been easy and it wouldn’t have happened at all without our amazing volunteers, interns, staff, donors and followers like you! It has been a 25-year  roller coaster of tears, fears, joy, perseverance, grief, gratitude, sweat, heartbreak and hope. And determination that the Big Cat Public Safety Act (HR 1818) becomes federal law and ends the suffering of so many captive big cats in this country. Please help us pass this crucial legislation for big cat by visiting BigCatAct.com.

 

Thank you so much for all of your support!

 

This was written by Susan Bass, our PR Director, but I liked it enough to include it here.

 

Hi, I’m Carole Baskin and I’ve been writing my story since I was able to write, but when the media goes to share it, they only choose the parts that fit their idea of what will generate views.  These are my views and opinions. If I'm going to share my story, it should be the whole story.  The titles are the dates things happened. If you have any interest in who I really am please start at the beginning of this playlist: http://savethecats.org/

 

I know there will be people who take things out of context and try to use them to validate their own misconception, but you have access to the whole story.  My hope is that others will recognize themselves in my words and have the strength to do what is right for themselves and our shared planet.  

 

You can help feed the cats at no cost to you using Amazon Smile!

Visit BigCatRescue.org/Amazon-smile

 

You can see photos, videos and more, updated daily at BigCatRescue.org

 

Check out our main channel at YouTube.com/BigCatRescue

 

Music (if any) from Epidemic Sound (http://www.epidemicsound.com) This video is for entertainment purposes only and is my opinion.  Closing graphic with permission from https://youtu.be/F_AtgWMfwrk

I can breathe again.

I spent almost the entire day organizing my desktop, my bulging photo files, my GBs of video files and now I feel like I can take on anything.  Jamie and Justin get back from Brazil tomorrow and everything is shaping up for the 25th Anniversary and Safari Days Wildcat Walkabout.  Rebecca Chaiklin is bringing funder, Eric Goode and her film crew:  Scott Cramer, James Liu and Chris Cimaglia to do some final filming for their documentary about big cats in back yards.  If I wasn’t stressed enough about the event, having them following me around all day with cameras in my face, is just the icing on the cake.

 

I really wanted to touch up my roots, but got a frantic call from Terry Williams that he thinks 21st Mortgage is going to try to replevin my mobile home because of the money his mom owes them.  We have to go to Florida Fast Title tomorrow to be sure I lien the titles in time to protect my investment.

 

I have to retest the well for the county, which means two trips downtown and, I have a private tour at 10 am with a special donor, Deb Quimby, so tomorrow is getting crazier and crazier.

 

The photos are Deb and I at the Wildcat Walkabout on Nov. 4 and a painting she commissioned of me by Cindy Arthur.

 

Hi, I’m Carole Baskin and I’ve been writing my story since I was able to write, but when the media goes to share it, they only choose the parts that fit their idea of what will generate views.  These are my views and opinions. If I'm going to share my story, it should be the whole story.  The titles are the dates things happened. If you have any interest in who I really am please start at the beginning of this playlist: http://savethecats.org/

 

I know there will be people who take things out of context and try to use them to validate their own misconception, but you have access to the whole story.  My hope is that others will recognize themselves in my words and have the strength to do what is right for themselves and our shared planet.  

 

You can help feed the cats at no cost to you using Amazon Smile!

Visit BigCatRescue.org/Amazon-smile

 

You can see photos, videos and more, updated daily at BigCatRescue.org

 

Check out our main channel at YouTube.com/BigCatRescue

 

Music (if any) from Epidemic Sound (http://www.epidemicsound.com) This video is for entertainment purposes only and is my opinion.  Closing graphic with permission from https://youtu.be/F_AtgWMfwrk

Update on Will Bobcat.

Will's last hard time was in July and he weighed 17 pounds.  His diagnostics and sonogram indicated irritable bowel disease or a lymphoma in his GI tract (cancer).  Now he's lost 5 lbs and Dr Wynn thinks it is probably lymphoma.  He's been brought inside for fluids, B vitamins, and injections to make him feel better, but it's not looking good for him.

 

Will doesn't drink from a bowel, so we put fluids in his food, but due to his neurological issues, he just can't be left to his own devices outside.  The question becomes; can we give him a good quality of life indoors or not?

 

For now, that's what we are doing, but I don't think he's long for this world.  https://bigcatrescue.org/will/

 

Hi, I’m Carole Baskin and I’ve been writing my story since I was able to write, but when the media goes to share it, they only choose the parts that fit their idea of what will generate views.  These are my views and opinions. If I'm going to share my story, it should be the whole story.  The titles are the dates things happened. If you have any interest in who I really am please start at the beginning of this playlist: http://savethecats.org/

 

I know there will be people who take things out of context and try to use them to validate their own misconception, but you have access to the whole story.  My hope is that others will recognize themselves in my words and have the strength to do what is right for themselves and our shared planet.  

 

You can help feed the cats at no cost to you using Amazon Smile!

Visit BigCatRescue.org/Amazon-smile

 

You can see photos, videos and more, updated daily at BigCatRescue.org

 

Check out our main channel at YouTube.com/BigCatRescue

 

Music (if any) from Epidemic Sound (http://www.epidemicsound.com) This video is for entertainment purposes only and is my opinion.  Closing graphic with permission from https://youtu.be/F_AtgWMfwrk

Apache Bobcat is Euthanized

Note to volunteers:  This morning Apache Bobcat's Keepers reported that in addition to not eating this morning, he had vomited and was "acting weird."  We took him into the West Boensch Recovery Hospital to keep him comfortable and called Dr. Wynn.  She couldn't break free from her clinic until later on tonight.  We noticed on the webcam that he was acting disoriented and went to check on him.  It was obvious that he was near death so we asked if we could bring Apache to Dr. Wynn's office to put him to sleep.  She got him in right away, but he was so ready to go that he died after being sedated.  He had a good run here for the past 22 years and it was all because of the work you have done to keep him groomed, fed and hydrated.

 

Apache and I had a pact. Whenever I gave tours, I'd wait to talk about the cruelty of the fur industry until I got to Apache's cage. I'd say, "It takes 20 bobcats to make a fur coat because they only use that little bit of white, spotted, belly fur..." at which point I'd make a sweeping motion toward Apache who would almost always, right on cue, stand up on his back feet, with his forepaws kneading at the wire to hold himself up, so everyone could see the belly fur. You might think it operant conditioning, but he was the one who started the little game, and I finally caught on that he was helping make the point. In later years I had to quit because he was too old for that pose and I didn't want him to hurt himself.

 

https://bigcatrescue.org/apache/ 

 

Hi, I’m Carole Baskin and I’ve been writing my story since I was able to write, but when the media goes to share it, they only choose the parts that fit their idea of what will generate views.  These are my views and opinions. If I'm going to share my story, it should be the whole story.  The titles are the dates things happened. If you have any interest in who I really am please start at the beginning of this playlist: http://savethecats.org/

 

I know there will be people who take things out of context and try to use them to validate their own misconception, but you have access to the whole story.  My hope is that others will recognize themselves in my words and have the strength to do what is right for themselves and our shared planet.  

 

You can help feed the cats at no cost to you using Amazon Smile!

Visit BigCatRescue.org/Amazon-smile

 

You can see photos, videos and more, updated daily at BigCatRescue.org

 

Check out our main channel at YouTube.com/BigCatRescue

 

Music (if any) from Epidemic Sound (http://www.epidemicsound.com) This video is for entertainment purposes only and is my opinion.  Closing graphic with permission from https://youtu.be/F_AtgWMfwrk

Sassy Cougar Died in Her Sleep

Note to Volunteers:  On Oct. 24, 2017 Sassy Cougar was found to have passed away, peacefully, in her sleep.  She was at least 18 years old based on her history of places she'd been bounced around.  Big Cat Keepers: Thank you  for taking such good care of her.  Big Cat Partners:  Thank you for doing the tours, manning the gift shop and all of the guest relations that made saving her from dying a slow and painful death at a run down hoarding facility.  Sassy only got to spend a year with us, but it was probably the best year of her life.

 

Oct. 7, 2017 The Peter Emily International Veterinary Dental Foundation team came to do those root canals on Sassy.  She did well during and after surgery and was put on antibiotics for a couple weeks.

 

Sassy had nose bleeds from time to time before the surgery and we'd hoped that fixing those last rotting canines would end them, but it did not.  We feared she may have some sort of brain or nasal tumor, but did not hold out any hope for being able to cure that, if it was the case.

 

Hi, I’m Carole Baskin and I’ve been writing my story since I was able to write, but when the media goes to share it, they only choose the parts that fit their idea of what will generate views.  These are my views and opinions. If I'm going to share my story, it should be the whole story.  The titles are the dates things happened. If you have any interest in who I really am please start at the beginning of this playlist: http://savethecats.org/

 

I know there will be people who take things out of context and try to use them to validate their own misconception, but you have access to the whole story.  My hope is that others will recognize themselves in my words and have the strength to do what is right for themselves and our shared planet.  

 

You can help feed the cats at no cost to you using Amazon Smile!

Visit BigCatRescue.org/Amazon-smile

 

You can see photos, videos and more, updated daily at BigCatRescue.org

 

Check out our main channel at YouTube.com/BigCatRescue

 

Music (if any) from Epidemic Sound (http://www.epidemicsound.com) This video is for entertainment purposes only and is my opinion.  Closing graphic with permission from https://youtu.be/F_AtgWMfwrk

Mickey Cougar Has Been Euthanized

Note to volunteers:  Today the vet group was texting back and forth about Mickey's latest challenge, which was a runny nose and congestion.  Kathryn went to get photos and videos of the coughing, sneezing and mucous, but what her camera captured broke our hearts instantly when we witnessed it.  When Mickey was rescued in 2014, I remember Dr. Wynn doing a routine exam on his joints while he was at her clinic.  He was in such bad shape, and his knees were out of socket, and he had bad teeth, and was starved nearly to death and we wrestled for a long time as to whether the humane thing to do would be to just end his misery back then.

 

We decided to call in an orthopedic expert, Dr. Hay because Mickey had such a strong will to live.  Two surgeries later, he was walking better than he'd been able to in a long time, but we knew, from the extreme damage to the joints, that we were only buying him a little time.  Fast forward three years and Mickey has recently been having seizures, his front ankles have collapsed from years of shifting his weight forward to walk, and now he was sneezing and coughing.

 

Kathryn's video today showed his back left leg to now have come completely out of the joint, and I'll post that video to an unlisted link, but be warned it is extremely hard to watch.  There were no more options for our sweet Mickey.  Amputation of the leg would put even more pressure on his collapsed front legs and his other badly damaged back leg.  His body was just completely giving out on him and no matter how much we wish we could make him better, there was nothing left to do.  Dr. Wynn came in today to euthanize him so that he wouldn't know another day of misery.  Now he is free of pain and running free toward his next big adventure.  Thank you to everyone who loved him, cared for him and who had the strength today to do what was best for him.

 

You can post your tributes to Mickey at https://bigcatrescue.org/mickey/

 

Hi, I’m Carole Baskin and I’ve been writing my story since I was able to write, but when the media goes to share it, they only choose the parts that fit their idea of what will generate views.  These are my views and opinions. If I'm going to share my story, it should be the whole story.  The titles are the dates things happened. If you have any interest in who I really am please start at the beginning of this playlist: http://savethecats.org/

 

I know there will be people who take things out of context and try to use them to validate their own misconception, but you have access to the whole story.  My hope is that others will recognize themselves in my words and have the strength to do what is right for themselves and our shared planet.  

 

You can help feed the cats at no cost to you using Amazon Smile!

Visit BigCatRescue.org/Amazon-smile

 

You can see photos, videos and more, updated daily at BigCatRescue.org

 

Check out our main channel at YouTube.com/BigCatRescue

 

Music (if any) from Epidemic Sound (http://www.epidemicsound.com) This video is for entertainment purposes only and is my opinion.  Closing graphic with permission from https://youtu.be/F_AtgWMfwrk

Banshee Bobcat Has Been Euthanized

Note to volunteers:  Banshee didn't eat for the past three days, so Dr. Justin came to look at him tonight.  He had fluid in his chest and maybe a mass that was impeding his heart and breathing.  At the age of 22 there was nothing we could do for him and chose to help ease him over to the other side.  You can post your tributes to him in the comments of his bio page here https://bigcatrescue.org/banshee-2/

 

Thank you to everyone who catered to his daily fussy eating habits these past years and all of you who made his life as good as it could be for one in a cage.

 

Hi, I’m Carole Baskin and I’ve been writing my story since I was able to write, but when the media goes to share it, they only choose the parts that fit their idea of what will generate views.  These are my views and opinions. If I'm going to share my story, it should be the whole story.  The titles are the dates things happened. If you have any interest in who I really am please start at the beginning of this playlist: http://savethecats.org/

 

I know there will be people who take things out of context and try to use them to validate their own misconception, but you have access to the whole story.  My hope is that others will recognize themselves in my words and have the strength to do what is right for themselves and our shared planet.  

 

You can help feed the cats at no cost to you using Amazon Smile!

Visit BigCatRescue.org/Amazon-smile

 

You can see photos, videos and more, updated daily at BigCatRescue.org

 

Check out our main channel at YouTube.com/BigCatRescue

 

Music (if any) from Epidemic Sound (http://www.epidemicsound.com) This video is for entertainment purposes only and is my opinion.  Closing graphic with permission from https://youtu.be/F_AtgWMfwrk