For
a few years, while my son was working by assignment
at
a bank in Manhattan, I created a scrapbook of local pictures...
depicting
scenery, animal & bird life, and events occurring
in and about Hamilton and Burlington. His office cohorts
were astounded at the beauty of 'Canada'
since most could not relate to southern Ontario,
or the Golden Horseshoe.
in and about Hamilton and Burlington. His office cohorts
were astounded at the beauty of 'Canada'
since most could not relate to southern Ontario,
or the Golden Horseshoe.
Although, now working locally as a computer analyst (and how could
I exist without his knowledge and skill assistance?), I've continued
my collection with pics of interest: scenery plus, harbour
activities, wildlife, the RBG's floral displays and home gardens. My
favourite animals are cats (especially the tigers, leopards, lions
and jaguars), dogs, horses and deer...the latter two, in my heart and
soul, are the most graceful 4-leggeds on our planet...should also
include Panda Bears and Koalas.
Recently, I snipped a dramatic photo from an advertisement in a local
newspaper ~ he was a majestic, stately lion sprawled across a wooden
wall ~ regal beyond imagination! He spoke to me!
My
Burlington home is nestled in Escarpment country, close to the shore
of Lake Ontario...adjacent to Hamilton's 2-tier city which features
over 100 waterfalls within its region...Couttes Paradise (a nature
water gem of aquatic significance). Burlington North is loaded with
'escarpment's green rolling hills, winding streams and rock
formations'...one being Rattlesnake
Point, near
Milton. Its panorama is one of treed beauty across the broad
nature-blessed valley...and from where, on a clear day, one can see
the CN Tower in Toronto. Many locals, tourists and rock climbers
ascend to this Nature gem to explore.
A year ago, in early October, I drove through our autumn-hued
countryside to photo-record Jack Frost's transformation of greens to
golds and reds. Partway up the escarpment toward Rattlesnake Point, I
stopped to admire the 180-degree scenic panorama enfolding before my
eyes. Then, at the Point, parked my car...trail-walking to the rocky
precipice to savour Nature's extensive view. Returning to my
vehicle, I was followed by an adorable tawny-coloured lion cub...or
was it a lynx? He stopped as I searched for my key...and waited.
Where did he come from?
Where was his family...his Mom? (and Dad was nowhere to be seen!)
How could anyone not LOVE him?
Still, he sat like a small statue before me. Kneeling before him, I
held popcorn in my open hand. With roughness of tongue, he licked it
firmly. His chocolatey-brown eyes haunted me. Should I report
him...or should I feed and protect him? The little guy must be
hungry.
Needing
a name...I called him
Zeke.
He yawned...his eyes dreamy...wanting to lay down and curl himself
into a cub-ball. Unable to resist, I cuddled him in the crook of my
left arm...and drove him to my abode.
After the demise of my 'Maine Coon”, Sheba, I'd kept her toys, her
sleeping mat and some cat 'kibble'...the latter I placed on a saucer
in front of Zeke who quickly gobbled all of it...then drank water
from a bowl (lapping as though from a woodland stream) to quench his
thirst. Zeke curled on the mat beside me feet...quickly drowsed into
more than a cat-nap...and dreamt he was in paradise.
Decisions! Decisions! Awakening, Zeke was frisky, wanting to play.
Like Sheba, he brushed past my right leg...looking enquiringly into
my eyes.
At that moment, he won my heart.
As a cat, he'd leap to the sofa cushions, then to the top...sprawling
his lean body, stretched head to tail along this upper edge for a
cub-view of the room. “Well, Zeke, as a child-lion, you must learn
some manners...and household regulations.” Locating Sheba's blue
collar and leash, I introduced him to this 'control measure' and
taught him to walk on my left side at all times.
Zeke
quickly learned that there was a time to play...and a time to learn!
Zeke
was an intelligent lion cub...one who'd say, he was a 'quick
learner'!
Zeke
Was a Good Boy!
* When he needed to 'relieve himself' (if in the house), he'd look
for me...then head for the door...sit and and wait for his exit to
the back corner of the yard.
* Bursting with wake-up energy, he'd look for food and water to sate
his voracious hunger and thirst...then wait at the patio door for his
outside romp and play. If I failed to respond to 'his signals', he'd
locate the leash, then drag it and place it at my feet.
* As his 'protector' he lavished on all attention I gave him; daily
I'd hold him on my lap and brush his teeth by holding his jaws
open...he seemed to enjoy the minty-taste; then cuddling him on my
lap, I gently combed and brushed his mane as it steadily grew in. In
appreciation, he licked my hands.
* Neighbours became intrigued with my 'household kitty' as daily I'd
walk, trot and run along the sidewalks with Zeke...while all
passer-bys were confounded by this energetic pet.
Overnight, he'd sleep on a mat beside my bed...mornings he'd waken me
with gentle paws.
- In early December, winter arrived with a 6 to 8 inch snowfall. Letting Zeke outside, he was stunned, lifting a front leg to shake off the snow, then the other front leg (as my Sheba did)...then with his back legs, he playfully kicked off the white stuff...and Oh, What Fun it was, to Dash Through the Snow!
- Through constant effort, he learned to Sit..Stay...and Come, upon request; and he learned not to jump at visitors with his outlandish enthusiasm.
Always, I praised him for good behaviour...patting the side of his
neck...and looking into his golden-brown eyes, I'd tell him: “Good
Boy!”
Dependent
on me as his saviour, when showing his affection, he'd stand on his
back legs...place his front paws on my shoulders (claws
withdrawn)...and as I bent, he'd lick my face. This action reminded
me of the Husky Dog Teams (each of 16 dogs) in Alaska's annual
Iditirod race of about 1,000 miles over 8 to 15 days in early March.
Siberian Huskies love to run...and they loved their 'mushers'...and
often, one of the team dogs would stand on back legs and with front
paws on the master's shoulders, would 'kiss'
the
human face at day's end.
Quickly growing was Zeke...and soon I realized that I could not
forever keep him...he needed to return to a lion's life. I called my
friendly veterinarian who advised me to prepare for Zeke's return to
a habitat replacement for wild animals; a few contacts he gave me:
Ontario Wildlife Rescue...The Wildlife Centre for
Rehabilitation...even the African Lion Safari based in rural
Cambridge.
Saddened to consider this dilemma, I knew it was necessary for Zeke's
livelihood to engage in LION LIFE with fellow pride members.
Occasionally I returned to visit Zeke...who'd always meet me with his
Husky-Dog-Hug and Kiss!
* * * * * * *
Lauren Hill states, “The strong mother doesn't tell her cub,
“Son,
stay weak so the wolves can get you.”
She instructs, “Toughen up! This is the reality we're living
in!”
Composed by Merle Baird-Kerr...August 29, 2017
No comments:
Post a Comment