Conversations with Critters
Walk with the animals. Talk with the animals. And an animal ambassador…
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Today, Critters, our conversation takes a rather diplomatic turn with a tale from our Reader Submission Series. We are about to go from zero to sixty on the path unwinding. As we heed the clarion call of the wild, a special sound is bound to be heard. And so, without further fanfare, our Core Community Critters, Jasper Kitten, Chris and Kermit are ready to take it away! Please, join us now in excellent accelerating critter conversation.
Heidi: Hello, Friends! Welcome to our Conversation which is picking up a great deal of speed as we speak! We’ve got a Big Cat story brought to us by our friend and highly esteemed writer
!Jasper: Hello, Critters! This is the story of the survival and the triumph of an Orphan who went on to lead an incredible historic life as an Animal Ambassador. We are truly humbled to present the One, the Only, Sylvester who helped educate many Hoomans during his lifetime.
Chris: This is a harrowing tale. I can hardly bear it. It was a battle between two apex predators. A male lion attacked the mama cheetah and her kittens.
Jasper: Critters! This is a tale of survival that we can still learn from throughout our lives:
…A ranger took pity on the lone survivor. He saved the baby cheetah and named him Sylvester. Growing up with humans, Sylvester never learned to kill, so he could never be returned to the wild. The Zimbabwe government set up a grant, and an educational group won the right to keep Sylvester and use him to educate people about animals. Sylvester spent the rest of his life meeting tourists, being petted and pampered like a big, beautiful, gentle house cat. His destiny was special and unique. —
Jasper: During Sylvester’s lifetime, he helped open the hearts and minds of many many Hoomans.
Chris: Sylvester was a messenger of peace. He helped Hoomans understand the need to protect Cheetahs in the wild, to advocate for their conservation as a threatened vulnerable species, to protect habitat and stop poaching.
Jasper: Critters, let’s share a photo of Ambassador Sylvester for the edification and enjoyment of our Readers.
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Jasper: Chris, when I consider the incredible speed of the Cheetah, I also consider how I feel when I chase you around the Condo. I can reach a top burst speed of thirty miles per hour.
Chris: Jasper, this is an excellent way to feel our kinship with Cheetahs. However, you are fast when you chase me, but I am faster. I simply can’t be caught.
Jasper: True, Chris, but only because I give you a head start.
Chris: If you say so, Jasper.
Jasper: Yes.
Chris: Cheetahs, however, can run at sustained speeds of fifty to eighty miles per hour and have remarkable acceleration even in a single stride.
Jasper: To say they go from zero to sixty is truly an understatement and no mere exaggeration either. They. Are. That. Fast.
Kermit: Helloooo, Critters!
Chris: Kermit! Hello hello!
Jasper: Gosh! Kermit! We didn’t think you were going to join in the Conversation about Cheetah Conservation. Where have you been?
Kermit: I have continued my quest at Sea Level after my deep deep dive with the California Sea Lion Pup in our Previous Post. I realize that the focus today is all about cats, particularly the incredible fast fast Cheetah, but I have a startling realization to share with you. The end.
Chris: What.
Jasper: Kermit, we’re being held in a state of animated suspense!
Kermit: I will now let you in on a little secret. But first, I must ask, as a canine, for diplomatic immunity.
Jasper: Diplomatic Immunity! This sounds very serious, Kermit!
Kermit: Yes. It is.
Chris: This must be an earth shattering startling realization!
Kermit: Yes. It is.
Jasper: Oh no oh no! Kermit, is it about fluctuations in your oxygen saturation after traveling from the Mountains to Sea Level? I’m very concerned.
Chris: Jasper, please, do not, yourself, hyperventilate at a time like this! Kermit, please, we’re all ears.
Kermit: Thank you. Thank you very much. Critters, when Cheetahs communicate with each other they do not roar. They bark.
Chris: No!
Kermit: Yes, Critters. Cheetahs bark. They also have many other vocalizations, including chirping, mewing, and purring on both the inhalation and the exhalation which, of course of course, I find very appealing. But. I am most impressed that they bark.
Jasper: A barking Big Cat. Well, I never.
Chris: Are you feeling a kinship with them, Kermit?
Kermit: Yes. I am. The end.
Chris: Thank you to all of our Friends here for opening your hearts and minds to the magnificent Cheetah, a Critter of world renown, speed and grace under pressure. I must now take my leave. It is time for my automatic feeder to open open open. Fare thee well.
Jasper: We’ll see you next time, Critters, so until then, stay safe and have fun out there!
🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾
Poetry with Pets
Open our hearts
Animal ambassador
Open our minds
By Jasper Kitten, Chris & Kermit
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Notes:
Photo and Video of Kermit courtesy of Cheryl Patzer
Thank you to
for sharing the story of Sylvester the Ambassador Cheetah with us! Previously, we also featured Archie the Bichon:Join us for our recent post on Critter Kinship here:
Look at Kermit running on the beach, so wild and free! How excellent.
Cheetahs are amazing. I had no idea that they barked! That's very funny. Also fascinating that Sylvester was unable to be a standard cheetah without having learned the art of hunting from his mother. I hope he was satisfied with his job as ambassador to hoomankind.
Lovely story fo Sylvester the cheetah. I've seen several viseo's of cheetah's purring and meowing and find them quite endearing. I'm happy Sylvester was able to lead his life in harmonay with and teaching hoomans.