It seems appropriate to touch on the subject of loss... to give tribute to the great spirits who have passed through my life and touched my soul,  if only for a very
short time. Because after all, the mission of Panther Ridge is to provide a lifelong home to animals who need our care; and ultimately, that means we must sometimes say goodbye.

In the past year, we have had to say goodbye to several animals. When our beloved Zeus (a majestic jaguar) passed away last summer after suffering too long from an incurable condition,  I realized that it is my responsibility to help these noble beings leave this earth as peacefully and painlessly as possible.    

In the wild,  death is either quick and violent or slow and agonizing.  As humans, caring for these animals,  we have the obligation, and hopefully the sensitivity to let them go while they still have their dignity.  Cats are all about dignity; they may have invented the concept.    

As I walk around the grounds of Panther Ridge,  I see cats from the age of one year to almost seventeen years of age.  Curiously,  a few of them may out-llive me.  I
know if the tables were turned, they would help me leave with dignity,  too.