Monday, April 19, 2010

"Shirley" #5


!cid_X_MA3_1271632561@aol, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Posted by Buckles at 4/19/2010 06:25:00 AM

1 comments:

Unknown said...

The Cristiani elephants retired together and so were never sold or separated from each other, except in death. Carrie was the first to pass on from cancer. There's a heart-wrenching story relating to her death (and equally inspiring accounts relating to each of the other bulls in the herd who followed her): Carrie's sisters refused to leave her body, and moments before she took her last breath, the bulls tried desperately to lift her to her feet. Their mourning ritual lasted for days ... all the while, not allowing anyone to remove her for burial until measures were taken to lead them far away from the scene.

After Carrie's death Carin and Brian relocated the rest of the herd to another facility for a short while (it didn't work out) and eventually to the Georgia park where Shirley resides. Babe was the second to go and not long thereafter Emma. (All cancer-related I believe, but in addition Carrie suffered from years of arthritic problems with her legs). As everyone knows, Christy (the oldest) died from phenomena on the ship retuning from the Ringling/Cristiani South American fiasco. Ironically, we thought Shirley would be the first to go ... mostly because of her ongoing bowel problems, which continues to plague her (she has to be cleaned out at least twice a day). But, apparently, God had other plans. He knew fiercely independent, smart and sassy, Shirley had the strongest will to survive and that she could handle the passing of her sisters far better than the rest. Still and all, if you look deep into her eyes you can sense her hidden sorrow ... because she has not forgotten the memories of her circus family and exciting life she lead under the big top.

One day I'll write ... the rest of the story.

Vickie

21 April, 2010 17:27

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