Carole Baskins Diary

Howie was asked to speak at an International Conference to 4000 people

Our speaker, Howard Baskin, is the Advisory Board Chairman of Big Cat Rescue, the only accredited sanctuary in Florida devoted to big cats and one of the largest sanctuaries in the world. In this talk he will explain from experience on the ground why the U.S. regulatory scheme cannot work, how it increases the likelihood of extinction of the tiger, and propose the solution.

 

He wrote the following as the draft for the theme of his talk:

 

THE NEGATIVE IMPACT OF US TIGER CUB PETTING ON PREVENTING EXTINCTION OF TIGERS IN THE WILD

 

As recently as 1990 there was an estimated 100,000 tigers in the wild. Today there are less than 4000. Preserving endangered species around the world from man induced extinction requires the cooperation of all nations. This is largely managed through the international treaty known as the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna, or CITES (pronounced sigh tees). The nations of the world meet every two years at CITES Conventions to make decisions that fall largely on each nation to actually implement. The United States plays a leadership role in proposing positions and urging other nations to support those positions. In contrast, some countries seek to “farm” tigers and legalize the trade in tiger parts that drives the poaching that threatens the existence of tigers in the wild.

 

What is not well known is that the impracticality of enforcing the current regulatory scheme in the U.S., which results in these iconic animals living in miserable conditions in roadside zoos and in tiger cubs being ripped from their mothers at birth to use for cub petting and photo ops, impairs the credibility of the United States in its effort to oppose tiger farming and save the tiger.

 

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 am losing my teeth

 

Dear Mom,

 

On another note, I left your house for my first dental appointment in 10-15 years.  I only ever had one cavity, and that was 38 years ago while carrying Jamie.  It was in a wisdom tooth that was coming in at the same time, so they just pulled it.

 

I went yesterday to have my teeth cleaned, but they discovered that most of my molars are loose because of bone loss caused by periodontal disease.  My gums have bled my whole life, but I didn't know how serious it was to retaining my teeth.

 

Now I am being referred to a specialist and will probably have to get implants for at least 8 of my back teeth.  Until Dr. Delatorres pointed it out, I never even noticed that I can actually wiggle all of my back teeth with my finger.  Since I never had any pain, I didn't think I had a problem.

 

I am copying Chuck and Jamie, since we share the same genetics.  Maybe they can halt any bone loss by staring earlier to get their teeth cleaned regularly and to floss.  I know Dad had some awful teeth, but don't know what the inside of your mouth looks like.  I've never heard you complain.

 

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 “note” passed from Babylon to Pearlie for me

 

I have a daily routine where I come home from work, remove all of my jewelry except my wedding ring, and get into my pajamas.  Babylon would frequently pick out my earrings to play with, and as long as they were big enough not to wash down the sink, I’d let him think he was getting away with something.

 

Two days after Babylon died, I did the same routine, but the next morning one of my blue cat’s eye earrings was missing.  I thought maybe I’d accidentally caught it on some item of clothing, so I emptied the laundry bin and went through all of the clothes, and the path from my sink to the closet.  I searched everywhere I could have gone between coming home and waking up the next morning, including my office.  The more I searched, the more strongly I believed this was a message from Babylon.  Where I would find it would be the message.  I could not find the earring anywhere and we had no one else and no other pets in the house.  

 

I chalked it up to one last caper for Babylon from the other side of the veil.  One day it would appear and I’d get the point.

 

2 weeks later.  Because Pearlie is so timid we don’t want to condition her to staying under the bed, so we haven’t given her access to the bedroom, my bathroom or the closet yet.  This morning I let her into my office for the first time, and while I was making coffee I heard her growling in there.  I went to see what was scaring her and there on the floor in front of her was my missing earring. 

 

I put on both earrings and took this picture.  I can’t stop crying. 

 

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 Kitten Warms Howie’s Heart

 

Five days after we lost Babylon, on Nov 20, a tiny voice cried out from under the Keeper Cafe.  It took Keepers two days to trap the frightened little blue cream kitten.  She’s been living in the office with Afton caring for her during the day and yesterday she got to play with the kittens in the Kitten Cabana and really loved it.  Afton asked to bring her to the staff meeting today and the kitten was passed around from Keeper to Keeper until Howie got up, walked across the room and took her.  

 

I knew then they’d found each other.  I sneaked a few photos across the table of them cuddling and wondered if it was too soon for him.  At the end of the meeting Howie said, “Is it too soon?”  My eyes filled with tears that I tried hard to blink back.  I haven’t told anyone about Babylon dying, except Jamie.  I said, “It’s up to you.”  Everyone started clapping and the kitten bolted out of his arms and had to be retrieved by Afton and Kathryn.  

 

He just called asking what kind of food he should pick up for her and trying to be matter of fact about her needs, but then broke down crying that he misses Babylon so much and the house is so empty without him.  That’s true.

 

I hope this tiny, timid little soul can heal his broken heart.  She reminds me of a short haired version of Pearlie Mae. 

 

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 blow into Big Cat Rescue on a tornado

 

I used to be part of a family.  I had a mom and a family who loved us.  They had read us the story of the Wizard of Oz.  I even dreamed about it.  I thought this was a dream, until it turned into a nightmare.   

 

The tornado hit so fast and furious and without warning.  My life was turned upside down, literally.  It was like being in the spin cycle of the noisy, shaking washing machine that had scared me so often as it rumbled and shook in the corner.  When the winds let up, I was alone and wet and cold.  

 

I called and called for my mom, but she didn’t call back.  I walked for what seemed miles, along a wall of fences, looking for the one to our yard.  The paved trail next to it was walked by dozens of dogs every day, so I didn’t dare venture out of the woods that separated their path from the fence line.  Days passed and there was water in the ditch to drink, but I was SO hungry.  

 

Mom had told me about hunting, but we never got to do any of it together.  The things I can eat all seem to be so much faster than me, but I’ve got to keep trying.  I’ve got to find my family and make sure they are alright. 

 

The stuff I could catch did NOT taste very good and I missed the warm milk that had always been so plentiful.  I missed being loved and kissed and even bathed by my mom.  I’ve just got to find her!

 

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

Dave Welling Told Me to Stop Caring for Animals

Back in the 90s Dave Welling came to do a photo tour at Wildlife on Easy Street and I was his guide.  I was his guide, because I was our only Photo Tour guide.  Throughout the day I learned that Dave had been involved with and on the board of directors at the Wildlife Waystation since 1987.  As evening approached I told him we’d have to call it a day because I had to feed the cats.  I had to feed the cats because back then, it was often only Jamie and me and maybe one other volunteer to feed 100 big cats.  It was a three hour chore every day.

 

Dave said the sanctuary would never succeed if I was the person feeding cats, cleaning cages and giving tours.  As founder, I needed to be out in the community, building relationships with lawmakers and donors.  At the time, I just laughed.  There was no way I could tell Jamie, “Sorry kid.  It’s all on you.  I gotta go schmoozing.”

 

In the mid nineties, the Wildlife Waystation was in its prime and was the model to emulate though.  What Dave said stuck with me and I began looking for ways to get the animal care done by volunteers so that I would have some free time to attend public meetings involving wildlife.  I would much rather have cared for the cats all day, because I love them and that was my comfort zone, but it was selfish.

 

If I wanted to ensure these cats would never go hungry, never be abandoned, never go without vet care, I had to figure out ways to let the public know about their plight.  I had to do things I hated; like talking to strangers, asking for help and becoming the person the media came to whenever there was a slow news day or an attack by a privately owned big cat.  If I really cared for cats, I had to stop being their daily care giver.

 

I had to create a system and structure to enlist the help of volunteers that I could trust and give them the power to make decisions.  Jamie and I built the Volunteer Committee as the ultimate authority over all volunteer matters.  The group of 5-7 people always included Jamie and me, but decisions had to be unanimous, and that led to great thought in every protocol and disciplinary measure.  That body of work became the “sanctuary in a box” that we share with other sanctuaries so they can make the most of their volunteer force without having to reinvent the wheel.  

 

That led to a volunteer force of over 100 people and a staff of 14 who put in the equivalent hours of 52 full time staff and has enabled us to increase our net assets by about a million dollars a year.  It’s enabled us to be the leaders in the political actions to end private possession of big cats and cub petting.  https://bigcatrescue.org/2017-annual-report/

 

I looked him up and found his email addresses:  and saw that he’d reached out to me after Hurricane Irma, but I was so busy then, I’d only written back to say we were fine.  Today I sent him the above.

 

 

Jamie is such a good story teller.  This happened last night and she posted this on her Facebook page:

 

We found a good fossil hunting spot on the river and stayed a little late leaving us not much time to make it back to the launch. Then just as the sun set the battery for the motor died! It got dark quick and we had to paddle like mad, but were making no progress because of the current. 

 

We killed ourselves for every inch gained up the river. Several times we actually were going backwards despite heroic efforts. At times we got out and waded in the darkness dragging the boat behind. This on a day we had seen the biggest alligators ever in the river. 

 

Where it was too deep we tied a rope to the boat and pulled it along the shoreline as we walked the steep banks but it kept beaching. We got stuck in some quicksand and slid down a few muddy clay banks. 

 

Eventually we made it to a place near the launch but the rest of the way was treacherous by water so we beached the boat and hiked through the thick forest in the pitch black back to the t

33 Cats Left

I sent the following to Howie and Jamie because I know they are both dealing with the stress of wondering how long this ordeal is going to last.  While I know there is much sadness ahead, as we lose cats, I am encouraged that there are fewer and fewer exotic cats in cages every year. 

 

On the Cat Census spreadsheet is a tab called Pension where we calculate the average age at death of our cats, and then figure out who is under that age, by how many years, times the annual care cost.  We originally did this to determine how much money we would need to put aside in our endowment fund and came up with 3.5 million back then (circa 2005?)

 

Now that figure is $799k based on the cats left who are under our average age at time of death.  It's 33 cats, including the 4 ODA cats and the 3 Guatemala tigers (although I haven't calculated their cost in that figure because I don't know how old the ODA cats are and the Guatemala cats aren't here yet)

 

None the less, only 33 of our cats are younger than our average age of death for each species.  I calculate that average based upon how long our cats have actually lived.

 

34 of our cats are already older than our cats usually live to be.  When you look at the ages left for each of our cats, it averages out to about 6.5 years.

 

I’ve been captured by strangers!

 

I’ve been sneaking into Big Cat Rescue at night, and eating some of the left over food.  I just have to keep a wary eye out that Hoover Tiger doesn’t catch me.  He’s the biggest tabby I’ve ever seen!  If I told you how big he was, you’d say I was exaggerating.  

 

I slip in and out of the sanctuary under the fence along the dog path.  There is a great place to hide there, under the porch of the Keeper Cafe.  The smells that waft down between the boards are fantastic at lunch time.  I remember those foods and I really want some, but so far, I’ve managed to keep my thoughts to myself.  I don’t know those people and I remember momma always said, “Don’t speak to strangers.”

 

They stopped leaving food out overnight for Hoover Tiger, and I’m really hungry.  Today I just feel like I’m going to die if I don’t get something to eat, so I call up through the planks asking them to drop a little lunchmeat down to me.  Well, that was a mistake!

 

Apparently big cat keepers are crazy about little cats too.  They spent two days trying to reach me and finally decided they might have to rip up the porch to do it.  They keep temping me closer for the food, and I’m so tired and weak, that I am not fast enough to get it and get away before they grab me.

 

As I’m pulled out I wonder if this is the end of me.  I hiss and spit and do all I can to look formidable, but I’m only three pounds of skin and bones.  Stephanie and Afton are all smiles at my capture and my facade isn’t having the desired intent.  Instead they’re saying things like, “She’s so cute.  Awwww.  She’s so scared.”  I decide that actually biting or scratching them would be just too rude, but I keep hissing. 

 

I wouldn’t have hissed, or waited this long, if I’d had any idea what was in store for me.  Afton acted like she’d just adopted me at the baby store and there was so much food, I thought I’d burst.  Toys!  OMG!  There were catnip toys, toys that jingled, toys you could hide in, toys that you could chase and so many soft, safe places to nap.  I thought I’d sleep a week, now that it was finally safe to shut my eyes. 

 

 

Afton says I lack “people skills” so she takes me to the Staff Meeting where I’m handed around the table.  I just nuzzle into the arms of each person who doesn’t respond to my hisses (none of them do) and then I hear them discussing my fate.  Karma says they are going to take me to the Humane Society of Tampa Bay to be evaluated.  I’m wondering what THAT means, when Howie asks out loud.  Wow.  It’s like he read my mind.

 

Karma explains that they will see if I’m tame enough to be adopted, or if I’m too feral.  Howie says that people will think

Not one Thanksgiving photo Jamie and I have been on a scrapbooking binge and have dragged out every physical photo we own into one spot to reorganize them into books with pages of themes. Last night I did a page on my mother and the theme was eating meals together. Since it was so close to Thanksgiving, I was on the lookout for common holiday foods and can’t tell that any of the meals were centered around Thanksgiving, or Christmas, for that matter. More than 60 years of pictures and no one took one of a holiday meal? Seems so odd. It also seems odd for it to be Thanksgiving and family not be at the center of it this year. Our emotions were just too raw the Thanksgiving after Chuck and Mom announced they were leaving us last summer for Jamie, Howie and I to want to be with them. My mother had texted me on the evening of Thanksgiving last year, asking for a pre nuptial agreement because she believed Fred was going to propose. This year she and Fred are having a big shindig at the Keystone lake house and we were all invited but Howie said he can’t stand to be around Chuck so he’s going to celebrate with his college friend, Willow Houben and her kids instead. He said he’d come with me, if I insisted, but I don’t want him to have to pretend he’s not hurt. Jamie wouldn’t say if she and Victor were coming until I pinned her down yesterday. She looked so sad, but said she really didn’t want to be with them, so I told her I totally understand, because I do. My stomach has been in knots for weeks about this. I really don’t want to have to put on a smiling face and act like my heart isn’t broken. I was listening to a podcast yesterday where Jesse Itzler said, “You don’t have as much time with your loved ones as you think you might. If you’re thinking that your parents could live another 10 years, but you only see them twice a year, you don’t have another 10 years with them. You have 20 visits. “ That really hit home for me. I used to see Mom a couple times a day and now I see her a couple times a year. Today will be hard. I’m crying already, but I can’t miss out on what little time I have with her. 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 worked too late last night, running out of light to bike by, and had to hitch a ride home with Jamie.  She showed me texts she’d sent to Justin and I was impressed with her frankness, her meekness and the way she took ownership of the situation.  This was my response to her today.

 

I don’t know the details of your break up, but I was impressed that you took ownership of it in your text to Justin.  When things go wrong it’s easy to want to cast blame.  That’s what most people do and that’s what kills most relationships.    

 

I know how hard it is for you to be open about your feelings too, because keeping things inside feels like self preservation, but I think it just leads to self torment.  You will have hundreds of “conversations” in your head, trying to come to a better outcome, but that can’t happen.  Those conversations have to be with the one you are trying to work something out with and they have to be from a position of inner strength.

 

That inner strength comes from not being vested in changing the other person but rather understanding that you are both on a journey.  You’ve come into each other’s lives for reasons that aren’t clear to either of you, but are always the same; to be better, stronger, more enlightened and thus happier people in the end.  I think the same is true of the animals we meet along the way too.  You know that I believe Babylon and I last crossed paths thousands of years ago, and we knew each other the instant our eyes locked across the room.

 

Why would my soulmate from so long ago come into my life as a cat?  Maybe because I was in a loving relationship with Howie and it wouldn’t have served his purpose to rock that boat.  I learned a few lessons from him.  

 

• Never be afraid to hug someone or show your love.

• Be watchful over those you love and try to protect them and serve them.

• Look beyond the obvious.  

 

I was so sure I knew his medical condition and his lizard habits so well that I wasn’t alarmed at all at the fact that he was always sharing my water with me, even though he had plenty of fresh water daily.  He would always be pukey for a few days after eating a lizard, so this didn’t seem any different, until he started acting like he couldn’t see well.  Even then, that didn’t seem life threatening.  Your grandfather’s heart failure was due to untreated diabetes too.  Maybe I missed the message Babylon came to deliver about that.  

 

You and I are genetically predisposed to diabetes so Babylon’s message to me is that there isn’t any sugar or carb that is worth dying for.  I have a mission to accomplish here and I have to be healthy enough to see it through.  I hope you will take his warning seriously as well.

 

As hard as it’s been to find him in all the millions and millions of shared souls out there, we did find each other, and we were better for it.  I think I helped him overcome the anxiety of being alone to an extent, because when ever I traveled he could count on you and that had to give him some sense of security.  

 

Your text to Justin was the first step in the healing process.  Who knows how it will go, but I’m proud of you for taking that first step.  It doesn’t matter if you end up back together so much as it matters that you become comfortable  with your eternal nature.  I want you to be able to see relationships for what they are.  They are not final.  Not even in death.  I think in between lives we get to see the whole picture and then we grant the Universe the right to obscure it to us so that we have the great pleasure of learning and growing each time around.  

 

 I am at peace because I know that everyone around me is doing the best they know how at this point.  I love my brother, regardless of what he’s done, because I know we both came into each other’s lives to learn important lessons.  I love my mother, even though she’s always loved Chuck more, for the same reasons.  I can’t say that I love Joe, but I actually don’t harbor any ill will toward h

Babylon died today.

 

 

He left almost as quickly as he arrived back in my life.  He’s been acting pukey, which is normal after he eats a lizard.  Monday he vomited and usually that makes him feel better until the next time he eats a lizard.  Instead he started walking around hunched over, and disoriented.  In the 15 years he’s been here, I only dewormed him once, I think, so I gave him 0.6 ml of Proziquantel to kill any flukes he may have gotten.  He seemed better the next day, but last night he started acting weird again.  

 

This morning Howie called me into the kitchen because he wanted to show me that Babylon was really disoriented and had walked up and laid down in a corner of the kitchen with his nose tucked under the lip of the cabinets.  We called the vet and got an appointment for 11 am.  He didn’t appear to be in distress, so Howie started to work in the yard and I went about my morning chores.  When I popped back in to check on Babylon, his head was down flat on the floor; something he never does, so I reached down to pet him and was horrified to feel him so near death.  

 

I scooped him up as I turned to Howie and said, “I think he’s dead!”

 

Then I heard a breath and felt it.  I rushed him to the carrier Howie had prepared for later in the morning and Howie drove him to the vet at 8:48 am.  I was still in my PJs and didn’t want to slow them down.  When Howie got there they put Babylon on a heating pad, an IV and oxygen, but at 10 am Dr Wynn called to say that Babylon had diabetes and was only being kept alive due to life support.  His heart rate was dropping as she spoke and she didn’t see any way he was going to recover from this.  I told her to let him go peacefully.

 

We never had any idea he had diabetes.  We were managing his urinary track crystal issues all these years with a dry diet called Royal Canin Urinary SO.  Babylon wouldn’t eat raw meat diets, or wet cat food.  He’d have an occasional bite of tuna or salmon, and had drank a bowl of salmon juice last night that he really enjoyed.  He wouldn’t make a meal of fish either though.  Had I known he was diabetic, there wouldn’t have been anything we could do to manage him so I guess ignorance was bliss. 

 

Babylon was dumped at Big Cat Rescue’s front gate, in a pet carrier, at the edge of death from a blockage back in 2003.  I suspect his owner couldn't afford the vet costs, nor the expensive diet he required. He was black and white tuxedo cat, but clearly had Siamese genes due to his loud and continuous vocalizations.  

 

He got his name because the first time I saw him I exclaimed, out loud, "I haven't seen you since Babylon!"

 

Everyone in the room turned to look at me, wondering what the Hell that outburst was about.  I didn’t care.  I was just so happy to see my precious soul mate all these eons later.  He was laying on the corner of a desk, with an IV hanging from above giving him fluids.  We had locked eyes the minute I walked in and in addition to not knowing what I was babbling on about, the people in the room noticed their patient seemed to have emerged from death’s door to raise his head.

 

Howie and I already had Sidney and Garfield and I resisted asking to bring Babylon home...briefly... I was so thankful that Howie was OK with it as he’s the one who always feeds the cats, cleans their litter boxes, and is home with them all day.  We were remodeling the gift shop by taking the remaining offices and turning them into display space.  That meant Babylon couldn’t stay in the office any longer.  I didn’t have any office space that wasn’t in the middle of all that chaos, so he needed to find a new home.  He made that home with Howie and I on the island. 

 

Today, as I was digging his grave, overlooking Rocky Creek near where Catera Bobcat used to live, I reached out across the ether to him and vowed we would meet again and again and again.