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This
is Takoma
Big Cat Rescue
Acrylic
14 x 18
Original
$700
SOLD
at Auction -
The
Fur Ball - Tampa
Florida
October
16th 2006 Weekend
Giclee's
Available in a variety of sizes: please contact me for availability
: Sales@liznicholas.com
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Takoma, a Male
Northern Bobcat born in June of 1996, came to Big Cat Rescue
in Tampa Florida with another exotic cat, Divinity. His owner
became ill and unable to care for him any longer, so she asked
the sanctuary if they would consider taking them both - well
of course the did! He is without any doubt the prettiest Bobcat,
with a coat like no others. His dramatic spotting caused much
confusion a many thought he was an Ocelot. The sanctuary says
he is as lovable as he is gorgeous! Since Bobcats are not
endangered, he was neutered in order to ensure that breeding
issues don;t become complicate, as breeding more cats like
Takoma is not an good idea because there just aren't enough
good homes available for these special cats to justify breeding
them.
"When I first was introduced to the good
work of BCR, I was amazed to find out how many big cats have
been illegally kept and bred in this country yet alone around
the world. I considered myself pretty educated on the plight
of wildlife but quickly became more and more concerned, and
then appalled as I read and learned about exotics and native
wildlife, specific to the felines and big cats who were suffering.
I remember hearing about the Florida Panther
from a wildlife rehabilitator friend of mine - Lloyd Brown
(from Wildlife Rescue Of Dade County) when I was working with
him at a whale stranding in Key Largo a few years back. Literally,
a big cat was the last thing on my mind surrounded by the
beauty and water of the Florida Keys. However, I quickly became
educated on their lives, and death on this planet due to the
loss of habitat, disease and a host of other conditions. Whale
in arms, I admit I began to daydream of all the animals that
needed help, and wondered how I could do anything which could
be of any significance.
I started to peruse the Internet and specifically
the pictures and stories on the Big Cat web site. Takoma jumped
out at me from all the rest. His soulful eyes, his restful
disposition, his wisdom and knowing, seemed as if he was trying
to say something.... I saw him in cool blues, like the ocean,
thus how I captured him in his painting.
I hope that his image will help to educate
others, and raise funds for the great work the sanctuary does.
They are such a worthy organization. My hope again is to draw
in children to this "turquoise cat", so I can tell
them of his story...and ultimately have his image raise more
funds to help all the cats there at the sanctuary.
It is my hope that Takoma can become a visual
reminder (in color) of all the cats who have suffered, and/or
need our help....get the attention they deserve, and that
ultimately, we are able to stop the madness caused by "us
humans" as we inflict much distress on these beautiful
creatures.
It is my hope that his image will live to
educate and generate good energy (in action, thought and cash)
so all those animals who now reside at the sanctuary and around
the world, can feel the same love and safely that he does
at the sanctuary, and if possible "in freedom" one
day."
The overall Vision and Mission of Big
Cat Rescue is to work towards a better world where
the animals we share it with are treated with respect and
caring and where habitat is preserved to insure the indefinite
future survival of these wonderful gifts of nature. In creating
such a world, we hope the same principles of respect and caring
will carry over to the way humans treat each other. To provide
the best home we can for the animals in our care and to reduce
the number of cats that suffer the fate of abuse, abandonment
or extinction by teaching people about the plight of the cats,
both in the wild and in captivity, and how they can help through
their behavior and support of better laws to protect the cats.
Please support them in their efforts, and visit their site
at http://www.bigcatrescue.org/
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