Precious the Bobcat at Big Cat Rescue

Precious

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PRECIOUS

Female Bobcat

DOB 4/1/92  DOD 1/27/14

Rescued 11/15/92

 

Precious came to Easy Street from an auction when she was about six months old. She is a Texas Bobcat, which is the most dramatically spotted variety. She lived in the house for a while, but she was never house broken and never trusted people. She seems happiest to have people keep their distance and admire her from afar.  She shared a 900 square foot Cat-A-Tat with Shiloh and Indian Summer for many years and then, one day, they decided they didn’t like her anymore and wouldn’t let her come down, out of the tree, to eat.  Vern built her another Cat-A-Tat with a great climbing tree so that she can live near by them, but not have to worry about being attacked.

 

Clipping Bobcat Claws

 

 

Physical Therapy

 

 

Oct. 16, 2013

 

Precious and the Great Pretender were both on the Vet Observation Chart yesterday (2/18/13) at Big Cat Rescue. Pretender wasn’t hungry, which never happens, and Precious was said to have a long toe nail that looked like it might be hitting her paw pad when she walked.

Precious Bobcat used to climb trees all the time, but is 21 years old and barely even uses the ramps that were constructed up into the tree for her. Pretender is also 21 and both suffer from periodic neurological symptoms, but have been in amazingly good health for their age.

It would be very risky to sedate a bobcat this old, just for a hang nail, so Dr Justin Boorstein and President Jamie Veronica came up with a plan to clip the nails while causing the least amount of danger to the bobcat. This is a long video, but pretty amazing footage that has probably never been captured before.

Some cats, including Precious were purchased at auctions where the uncaring owners were dumping the cats with no concern about their welfare.  The people bidding on such cats were usually taxidermists or those who owned canned hunting ranches.    There is much controversy over whether we did the right thing by paying the ransom for these cats.  We still accept many unwanted cats each year, but do not pay for them and typically require that their owner surrender their license, in an attempt to keep people from just trading in their cats each year for a newer, cuter model.  We have to turn away more than 100 cats each year due to a lack of space and funds and the lack of regulation of the exotic pet trade. Read more about our Evolution of Thought HERE

 

Jan 27, 2014:  Precious Bobcat suffered a major stroke today. She was sedated to halt the seizing, but an exam showed that her bones were softening and bowing to the point that she wasn’t able to walk, and she was euthanized. She would have been 22 in April.

 

Note from Carole:  Some things just can’t be unseen.

I just hate days like today. I got a call saying that a cat was having a seizure. There are some things that are so painful to witness that I wonder, “Was it harder for the cat, or those of us who could only stand there and watch while waiting for instruction from the vet.”

Thankfully, Dr. Wynn answered her phone and was able to come immediately but every minute seems like hours when a cat is suffering. I knew this was the end for this cat, and that I would have to be the one to say so, and hated that I am in a position to have to make such decisions.

The cat’s suffering was over in a few minutes. I may never be able to forget what I saw or what has to be done. I know that those with me suffered as greatly, or maybe even more, because they aren’t in the position to decide. I don’t know what is worse, actually.

There is no escape from this and I hate it.

 

Tributes to Precious Bobcat

Unknown Jan 31, 2014
Such a beautiful creature inside and out. She helped prove that with love and care you can give back to someone’s life, even if they are near the end of their time. Precious, you were a fighter. No doubt about that! I only hope you are showing that same fierce attitude on the other side.

Unknown Jan 29, 2014
Precious, you beautiful little fighter! You tried and hung on as long as possible, Jamie and Carole are awesome the way they took care of you. I know you knew you were loved immensely. Now your spirit is free and no more pain little one, you are loved and will be missed and you are at peace. RIP baby girl

Unknown Jan 28, 2014
I have only known you for a brief period of time, but you touched my heart deeply, little Precious. You are in a world without pain now, may you roam freely, chase squirrels and frolic happily <3

Unknown Jan 28, 2014
She had the cutest round eyes and was such a fierce survivor. Precious was proof of Big Cat Rescue’s dedication to our animals. While other places would have given up on her long ago, she received phenomenal care to the end. The fact that Carole and Jamie gave Precious physical therapy even at her old age shows the love we have for our cats. I’m glad we gave her more time when she clearly wasn’t ready to call it quits. But I’m also glad that she is at peace now. I will miss you and your adorable face Precious.

Marie Schoubert Jan 28, 2014
My poor little girl. I loved you so much Precious… my love for you will never end. Taking care of you every morning was my favorite time of the day… looking at you eating your breakfast with meds was all I wanted. Now I will miss that moment, but I know that where ever you are,, you can go back to your tree, scar at everything going around, eat all you want and enjoy freedom again. I will just miss you miss you miss you…

Desmond. Fowles Jan 27, 2014
Will miss you Precious, you were a fighter till the end. What a fantastic job the staff did in giving her a few more months of quality living with us by nursing her so patiently after her previous stroke.

Regina Rinaldi Jan 27, 2014
In that very tree in the picture, Precious would lay and wait for me to circle her enclosure so she could scare the life out of me by hissing from the branch. After her first stroke she became so much nicer. She’s a fighter for sure and I will miss her feisty self. I think she appreciated all the keepers taking extra timeto care for her. I loved Precious to pieces. I will miss the feisty spirit that lived in her. Forever gone, but not forgotten.

Karma Hurworth Jan 27, 2014
I didn’t know her for long, but she was such a little warrior, that I loved her. Every time I cleaned her enclosure and I talked to her, she would look up and greet me. Run free and whole, sweet Precious.

Unknown Jan 27, 2014
What a little fighter you were feisty Precious! While I will miss your spirit I am happy to know you are pain free and picking & choosing whatever tree you want to climb & hang out of. Happy too I got to see your sweet-looking face & wiggling tail yesterday. Be at peace fierce girl!

Carole Baskin Jan 27, 2014
Precious got her name because of her precious appearance, but make no mistake; she was the epitome of ferocity and I loved that about her. I will miss her every day inspiration to keep on trying, no matter the odds.

More Memorials at https://bigcatrescue.org/category/memorials/

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43 Comments

  1. We were born just 11 days apart. I would have loved to celebrate 22 circles around the sun with her. At least she is no longer suffering and is in peace, and we can celebrate that she lived a long life.

  2. Don't beat yourself up Carole. You and your staff did so much to help Precious right up to the end. She knows that she was loved.

  3. I'm so very sorry for little Precious' passing. Thank you for taking such great and loving care for her. You made the right decision….she's no longer in any pain…RIP Precious… :""(

  4. Praying for you and the staff in this time of grief. I know what a difficult decision that was, having had to do it for one three of my cats over the past few years, but when our Smoky, our precious pet had seizures, I felt so helpless. After his third one in as many days, it was time to make that decision. I cannot describe the pain and feeling of helplessness watching him suffer through the seizures. He is at peace now, having crossed the Rainbow Bridge. I'm sure Precious will meet up with him there. Bless you at BCR for all the loving and hard work you do to give all the cats a wonderful, loving home. <3

  5. I have memories imprintd in my mind that I wish I could erase from the many cats I've had in my life. When they try to creep in I try to switch to a happy memory & push the sad ones away.

  6. Carole, it takes an enormous amount of love to make that decision. You put her suffering over your own personal feelings. I hope you know this. Peace to you. It never gets easier, but rest in the thought that you gave her a gift, that only you were in a position to give.

  7. You acted from love and respect. It always hurts to be the one who decides. Bless you and bless Precious who is strong and free once again.

  8. So sorry for the loss of precious. You have all done so much for her. I know she appreciated it all. Carole, so tough to have to be in that position. It's never easy to make the right decision for our beloved critters. Much appreciated for all you and our staff do.

  9. Heartbreaking- and it has to be traumatic to you and everyone at BCR to make the decision when one of the cats is suffering. They may not be pets, but they are still part of your extended family. I'm sure Precious is at peace and can be wild and free.

  10. My husband and I are saddened to hear that Precious died. As I am in the field of physical therapy (of the human variety), I was really touched to hear the story of her rehabilitation after her first stroke. This would be my dream job! You are all amazing people to care for these amazing animals. We plan to make it a yearly event to visit when we are down for our anniversary in November. Prayers for all those who loved Precious.

  11. I am truly sorry for your loss and deeply aware and grateful that all of you give such care and love to all the cats there, from the greatest to the smallest.

  12. Bless you dear lady. I know it is hard when you have to make a decision like you made, it is never easy. You are a wonderful person and I truly commend you for your work and efforts for these beautiful cats. Precious knows that you loved her and cared for her. She has gone to a beautiful place were she will always be well and beautiful. RIP pretty baby.

  13. It's one of the hardest decisions to make…and one of the great gifts we can give to end suffering…RIP, Precious…and thank you, Carole, for giving these beautiful cats a good life and peace at the end – even through your tears.

  14. I'm so sorry, Carole. I think the worst thing I ever had to go through was having my beloved ginger tom, Peanut, seize while he was nestled in my lap. All I could do was hold him until it was over and he awoke from his post-ictal daze. It's horrible. My heart goes out to you and all the wonderful people at BCR.

  15. I know that must have been so hard for you to make that decision even though it obviously was the right one. I had been following Precious online after her stroke and was rooting for her to get better. I feel sad that she’s gone, but feel comfort in the fact that you rescued her from a most likely horrible fate and gave her the best possible life in captivity.

  16. You were there for Precious when it counted I'd we could have more compassionate people like you we would be one step closer to a better wildlife world. Thank you for tue time and live you invested in this beautiful creature. Sending love and light from Texas.

  17. Carol I know how hard that must have been for you. Making that decision is always hard even if its obviously the right one. I had been following Precious online and rooting for her to get better. But I guess she was old and sooner or later we have to say goodbye. Feel comforted in the fact that you rescued her from a most likely horrible fate and gave her as good a life as possible in captivity.

  18. What a great life she had!!! Just short of 22y.o. Is amazing. You all did the right thing in 1992 and again on this sad day. But we all have to pass and it is less painful after a long & happy life than when they are young & had no chance. So don't be too sad- be happy about the life you gave Prescious & how her story has reached people & will hopefully be a positive example to support the good rescue programs Like Big Cat Rescue. Thank you for all you do!

  19. You had a good run, Precious. You're free from pain now, and can climb all those trees on the other side of the Rainbow Bridge to your heart's content.

  20. ugh. I know myself and others know the feeling of that decision, and I'm sorry you had to go
    through it. she's at peace, comfortable now.

  21. I'm so sorry, Carole. It's been a tough time for all the kind people at BCR recently. I hope you all can find comfort in knowing that you gave all the cats a better life than they would have had without your help and love.

  22. I am sorry to hear about Precious! I watch your videos from time to time and imagine what an honor it would be to be able to be so close to these amazing creatures. You are doing a wonderful thing for them. Thank you for that.

  23. If there is compassion in the universe Precious was unaware of her circumstances and did not suffer. Those of you who witnessed her troubles and demise are the ones I hope get a hug tonight. It is never easy to see someone else in their last moments. You are doing good work for wonderful creatures. I am so glad that Precious had you to care for her.

  24. I am so sorry for the trauma for everyone. I have followed Precious for some time and this was a shock for me too. I am just so grateful for all of you and what you do and what you have done for her. Take heart in knowing that she was surrounded by those who loved her and wanted only the best for her. I will be sending lots of love, light and healing to you all. RIP dear Precious. God Bless BCR!

  25. Bless you, dear lady for having the strength and love to care for these beautuful creatures as you do. RiP, Precious; run free and greet all your neighbors and our babies who have gone before.

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