To all of my listeners, supporters, watchers, and stealth-gazers:

I owe you all a sincere apology for being so scarce and not having kept up with things as of late. In that light, I want to pass on a very brief (is there such a thing from me?) explanation for you all, that might, in fact, answer some questions that many of you have probably been asking, namely “why doesn’t he have any /recent/ pix of the animals?”

As I’ve said, I have worked with big cats in one way or another for now 25-years, 23 of that being hand-on, as in face-to-face, pounce-capable. I have spoken a little of being dragged away last year due to a job-related move. While that’s true, it’s not the entire truth. Here’s the rest. I hope your sitting down, cuz it’s a doosie.

I have, for now 7-years, boarded my animals at the compound that I volunteered at. I even rose to the lofty status of “Head Curator”. Don’t let the title fool you. That’s really just the “head tiger-poop scooper”. In August of last year, I made the request for the director of the compound to put my boarding agreement into writing; she refused. She and I had always been good with having a verbal agreement, but as can be understood, “verbal agreements” require that both parties have the utmost in integrity, and I found that I was faced with ever increasing occurrences of her “word” simply changing as it suited her. Therefore, the boarding agreement, dramatically altered (as in a 100% increase in my boarding fees). I disputed the change, and so, I have been, since August, forbidden to visit my animals, or any of them that I have become close to over all the years at the facility. I literally do not know if my animals - my children - are alive or dead.

So, while I won’t go into all the details, lets just say that attorneys have been involved for months, all to no avail as she simply refuses to negotiate in good faith on any front. So, with no other choice for a remedy, I have finally made the difficult decision, and I filed a lawsuit against her and the organization last week. I cannot allow her to hold my animals (and other property) for ransom any longer. It is bound to be a bitter fight, and in the end, all the animals at the facility will lose, including mine (if they are still alive). There are simply too many improprieties, that have gone on for far too long under her management, and I can no longer, in good conscience, allow it to continue any longer.

So, needless to say, this situation has take the absolute top priority in my life, and the vast majority of my spare time is dedicated in one way or another to the pursuit of retrieving my animals from their hostage situation. This is why I’ve been so scarce, but nonetheless, I do ask for your forgiveness, and continued support.

Please understand that I’m not offering all this explanation in solicitation for sympathy, empathy, pity, or comment. As you all have probably figured out by now, I’m a communicator. I try to offer as much understanding to my viewers and readers about the topic-at-hand as possible; this particular topic is no different. It has been weighing quite heavily on me, as you can probably imagine, and so I hae been quite negligent in my efforts and responses to you all here.

My experience on FA has been a wonderful one, even though I truly don’t “fit in” to the general genre of the site. Nonetheless, I have been made to feel quite welcome, and there has been much interest in my various works and photos, and you all have been a part of that; I am most appreciative.

It is my intention to keep plugging away at life, my burdensome situation, and keep things as up-to-date as possible here. Please be patient with me in my sometimes very belated responses, shouts, and comments.

My warmest and most earnest thanks to you all!

Most Sincerely and Respectfully Submitted,
Shasta