Daisy Serval

DOB 5/1/90 – 7/3/08

Arrived at Big Cat Rescue  6/30/94
Daisy arrived at Big Cat Rescue on 6/30/94. Daisy has a typical serval personality, she is quite playful and responds to nearly everything with a hiss. She loves enrichment time and will rub and drool all over cardboard tubes that have been scented with spices like cinamon and cloves. Daisy is catching up with old age and is the second oldest serval at the sanctuary.
Daisy died of old age and renal failure 7/3/08 at the age of 18.

TRIBUTES FOR DAISY

Following the scent of the spice bag, Daisy would never take her eyes off the anticipated treat. She would hiss, and you could almost hear her say, “Hurry up. What is taking you so long to get over here?” It didn’t matter that she was a senior. She hid her age well and was quick to snatch her enrichment. She would ask if you had anymore as soon as you gave her a neck tube or spice bag. Most of the time, she would beg for more.
Loud noises made her nervous, and often she would pace as yard work was buzzing around her. Large tree branches and nests made of pine needles would hide her resting body, and you would have to make several trips around her Cat-A-Tat to make sure she was still in her home.

Daisy was a pleasure to be around. Most of the time, she wasn’t interested in helping you clean or making sure you were doing it right. She really enjoyed taking in all the action and wanted to be included in whatever was happening in her own way. She was a typical Serval and whenever you would greet her, the Serval hiss wasn’t far behind.

Another special spirit that called the sanctuary home for a long time now has a new home. She is running free and has no limitations. Daisy blessed all of us who knew her, and she is going to be missed. It’s difficult to say “Farewell my friend” as we realize we have been in the presence of another wise spirit who helped us remember our connection with the animal kingdom. Thank you Daisy.  …Laura, Former Volunteer Keeper

Daisy was my favorite serval.  When I cleaned her enclosure, she gave me the obligatory hiss that servals usually do.  One day, when it was about 95 degrees with no breeze, I was walking around Daisy’s enclosure and she was just as bothered by the heat as I was, evidenced by her extra hissy mood. Now when I was a kid, my mother would sing this silly song to me called “A Bicycle Built for Two.”  I didn’t remember the words to it, but somewhere in that song are the words “Daisy, Daisy.” So, I figured what the heck and started singing the song to her…and to my utter surprise…she stopped hissing.  So every time I had to approach her enclosure, whether to feed or clean, I sang that song to her and she never hissed as long as I sang her name.  I will miss her a lot….Regina, Senior Volunteer Keeper

My favorite memories of Daisy are when I was working on operant conditioning with Fluffy. Daisy would sit riveted to the side of her Cat-A-Tat and stare intently at me hoping I would switch servals!  She would call, chirp, and purr and even ‘gently’ stretch those lovely clawed paws out in an attempt to tempt me even more!

My last memory of Daisy, and perhaps the most poignant, was two weeks before she passed.  I was cleaning and she followed me around her enclosure ‘chatting’ at me and as a final note, she peed on my legs when I wasn’t looking close enough!  She had such a satisfied look on her face! She had such a feisty yet playful spirit.  I will miss her so but am thrilled that she can be chasing volunteers, lizards, birds and whatever in serval heaven.  I am happy she is free now…..Lisa, Volunteer Keeper

I was very fond of Daisy. Servals are my favorite of the small cats. I admire their independent attitude, and I really love the “hissy” vocalizations received from most of them. Daisy had a fine balance of independence without fearfulness. She would be lying stretched out comfortably in her enclosure when I would come to clean for her, and the queen would simply lift her head to deliver the required serval greeting. She felt no need to run and hide. It was up to me to maintain the appropriate distance – which I respectfully did.

At a recent volunteer meeting Carole reviewed the histories of a number of our servals. Once I learned that Frosty was Daisy’s son, I immediately connected the feelings I had about their two noble faces. I had always noticed the resemblance on a subconscious level, but now it was fully conscious and something I really enjoyed when I would visit “my” servals over the last few months. Go in Peace dear Daisy. You will be long remembered by this volunteer, and I will see your face and smile every time I pass by your elegant son…..Beth, Volunteer Keeper

Serval, Serval, Serval. Daisy was indeed a perfect serval. My first few months here, and the serval section was like a maze to me. I often wondered how I would ever come to tell each serval apart.  Servals are servals, they hiss, spit, growl and reach out to grab you. Daisy, was no exception. However, on those beautiful days where she basked in the sun, those were the days of peace. No hissing, no growling, just a gorgeous serval watching me clean. It made me smile. To see her calm, and rather lazy at that, allowed me to watch her for a bit. Such an amazing cat. As time grew on, Daisy didn’t bother me, she often spent it in her den, peeking her head out and watching me clean. I said my ‘hello’s’ and told her how beautiful she was. Just when I was getting to know her better, she had passed. It was indeed a sad loss for us. Daisy wasn’t ‘just’ a serval, she was a special cat that I grew to respect. R.I.P Daisy. We all loved you…..Shiloh, Volunteer Keeper

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