As you know last week, "Sayidana", our cheetah, died. She was just 5 years of age.
She had been doing wonderfully, raising her little cubs, and just generally living out her life at our friend's house (he is a licensed
veterinarian, and he raises and rehabilitates exotic cats; he's had tigers, lions, and now cheetahs). Oh, she could have lived at our local zoo, but she had a significant physical handicap, and nobody seemed interested in taking a disabled cheetah with part of her lower leg missing; so Ron took her in as her own and raised her (although I had had her for a time, along with "Sambeke"--a male--and several of the cubs; but then my wife, M'buti, had our firstborn son, and we were afraid that the cheetahs would hurt our baby, so we gave them to Ron, plus I had gone into the Marines after September 11 happened last year; and we felt that they would be better off at my friend's place).
Now, "Sayidana" was a loving creature, with a gentle personality about her most of the time, but she was a wild creature, and at times she was unpredictable; and it was then when she would hiss or spit at strangers. We learned to respect her, and we tried our best to care for her and her babies.
Well, about this time last year, I had signed up to go into the Marines, so I gave our cheetahs to Ron, and they had them at his place ever since.
All seemed well until about the 13th of this month; "Sayidana" started acting kind of sick; she wouldn't touch her food, and she drank a lot of water. She then started having trouble voiding, and when she WOULD void, her urine would be tinged with blood. She was sicker than we realized; plus she noticeably started losing a lot of weight. Cheetahs are naturally slim as it is, but "Sayidana" looked like she hadn't eaten in months; she was pitifully skinny, and she was growing weaker and weaker as the days went by. Well, Ron and several of his co-workers from the local zoo did all they could to try to save "Sayidana", but to no avail.
She died a week ago yesterday, on the 20th. She was, as I said, just 5 years old, which isn't that long for a cheetah.
Both M'buti and I miss her terribly; she had brightened our lives, and she gave us unconditional love and learned to gain our trust and respect; and we did the same for her. Our son had met her several times, but he is too young to really remember her; he just knows we had a "yellow spotty cat" at one time, and he called her "Donna" (he can't say "Sayidana"); and once in a while he will call out her name and ask where she is. He is too young to understand the concept of death and dying, so we tell him that she got very sick and she ended up going to sleep for a very long time, which is what sometimes happens.
That seems to satisfy him for the time being. But it doesn't make it any easier. Both M'buti and I miss "Sayidana", "Sambeke", and the cubs terribly.
"Sayidana". She will truly be missed; she was a stunning, magnificent creature that brightened all who knew her or came into contact with her.
Loved your story. Sometimes our pets become as children to us and it is just as hard to take or understand the lost of a pet as it is a child. My heart go out to you both and may God shed His Blessings upon you. Always, Paul
poor little saiyadana. :( i love cheetahs...they're endangered...why'd ya have to kill one off?? this is a heartfelt tribute to a beloved family pet...it's always sad when a cat or dog or horse or snake (urrggg) or bird or WHATEVER pet you have dies...i know you miss "friday" and "ouizer" and especially "cajun" (even though she didn't die, you gave her to someone who wanted her, you still miss her)...(((HUGS))) and love, karla. :( :(
A poignant story about letting go of a narcissist in your life. Have you ever been attacked FULL force by a narcissist? It's the closest thing to being stabbed over and over in the back.
Suspenseful and close to home, Rain of Deception 2 will leave you in Tears. Much like Part 1, this will shocking sequel will keep you on the edge of your fingertips.
