Sunday, January 23, 2011

Goodbye Beautiful Dora

Dora_sleep
Dora
July 26, 2010 ~ January 22, 2011
It is with a heavy heart that I find myself writing another goodbye post and asking why life is so unfair.  Diego's sudden passing last week left many people in tears and completely heartbroken, including myself.  As if the devastation of loosing one incredibly sweet jaguar cub wasn't enough, now we must say goodbye to his sister Dora.

Dora_Jan2011
Just a few weeks ago, Dora exploring the snow
The beautiful babies crossed over the Rainbow Bridge far too soon, just a week apart - they would have been six months old later this week.  Tragically, both suffered from an infection that their tiny bodies just couldn't fight. 

Dora & Diego, tiny little babies...

DoraDiego DoraDiego2

They say "only the good die young" and I'm beginning to realize this statement holds true for most all animals... their life spans are far too short to begin with.  But when those already short lives are cut this drastically, it really leaves you asking why? The only comfort I can take is knowing that Dora and Diego are together once again...

Dora The Explorer, snoozing with Diego & Mohan and munching some din-din...

Dora_lunchDoraMohanDiego


Jag_101410b
Dora playing with her piggie toy during our cub experience

 Since I had just posted most all of our great photos of the cubs, I borrowed many of these amazing shots from the wonderful girls at Tiger World.  I hope they don't mind.  I know they are all missing their babies and can only imagine how they are dealing with not one, but two sudden losses.


Dora
Rest in Peace Beautiful Girl
A few serene shots of Dora during our cub experience with her, Diego and Mohan in October...

  Jag3 Jag
Jag2
 
If you missed them, you can scroll back to Diego's Goodbye post and to this video of Dora on Fox news earlier this week.  I thought it was bittersweet to see Dora on the news just after Diego's passing... now I'm just grateful for having been able to "see" her in this manner. 

While I selfishly can't believe Dora & Diego won't be at Tiger World when we go back to visit this year and I won't get to see them grow up, I very much cherish the time that we were able to spend with them in October.  I feel so honored to have had the unique and amazing opportunity to have gotten to know them.  They are two little cats who truly stole my heart....

DoraDiego3
Two Special Babies. Everyone loves & misses you dearly.
Dora & Diego touched many people in their short lives and they will never be forgotten by all those who loved them.   Rest in Peace babies....... we love you.


8 comments:

gypsyknits said...

aawwww....I am so sorry to hear they've crossed the Bridge. ((hugs)) to everyone who was touched by these beautiful creatures.

Sue said...

It does seem so unfair. We live close to the zoo and this zoo has lost several baby elephants since we've been here. They all got a disease similar to chickenpox in humans. I have to wonder if the zoo is putting them on display to the public too soon and they're catching something from the children visiting them.

For the good of the animals perhaps they should be kept away from the public until their immune systems are more developed.

Unknown said...

poor little angels. so cute.

Dan B said...

It does seem unfair. I never got to meet Dora or Diego, but I am fortunate to know their parents (Aztec and Tia) and their big sister Isabella.

I can only imagine the pain involved in losing such beautiful spirits.

Dan

Marjie said...

Such a pretty girl. So sad that both of them are gone. I'll be sorry to not see pictures of them in the future.

Courtney said...

So sad :-( What beautiful little kittens.

SissySees said...

I'm so sorry...

Bubblesknits said...

That's so awful that both of them are gone. : (

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