Remembering Two Zoo Friends On Their Shared Birthday

I have another post for today near finished, but yesterday realized the date.

Today, June 27th, is the Birthday of both Tatiana, the Zoo's Tiger who was murdered on Christmas Day 2007, and my friend Lee, who passed away unexpectedly Christmas week last year.  Lee, like myself, had a long history of deep involvement with Our Zoo.  That dedication to Our Zoo included our efforts making Enrichment Toys for the Big Cats and Bears, as well as like me, being the target of former Director Tanya Peterson's jealous wrath.  She loved Our Big Cats.  She would be horrified at what is happening to Our Lions, Jasiri and Lulu, and that Our Zoo will soon no longer have them, or any Big Cats.  She had tattoos of three of them.  She also loved and was besties with Our Farm Friends.

Walking with Paprika

We met in 2008, the year we both lost kitty babies of our own. We bonded over our love for our babies and zoo friends.  We shared a lot of good times, and sad times.  I miss that friendship and talking to her. 

The other night in my Facebook Memories Tati's bench came up.  In 2019 I had gotten permission to touch-up the lettering.  As a Donor of this bench, it was something I wanted to redo then, and for the last couple years.  I thought I might get to it by her Birthday this year, but kept forgetting and then when reminded, I couldn't make it happen in time.  Not even sure I can get permission now, but will try.  

That same year, a friend from out of state who Tatiana had touched, mentioned he wished he could put Flowers on her bench for her Birthday.  I did that for him, and for those of us who loved her.  Left them for her and our other lost Zoo Friends.  

After a full week of June Gloom, the Sun is Shining today.  I hope it's doing the same on the other side, like it was on this Christmas day.  

Raising a glass at the Tonga Room for Lee's Birthday in 2010. This year, I bet she's celebrating with Tatiana, and all our beloved lost zoo friends.   

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I used to use (search) labels, but too often forget.  I started noting "Hot Topic" in title, but fell lax on that.  Now I'm just going to add labels, keywords, etc., here at the bottom with hashtags.  Does it help in searches, who knows.

#SanFrancisco , #SanFranciscoZoo , #Zoos #SanFranciscoZoologicalSociety  , #SanFranciscoZooCEODirectorCassandraCostello , #FormerSanFranciscoZooDirectorTanyaPeterson , #SanFranciscoRecreationAndParksDept , #FormerSanFranciscoMayorLondonBreed , #SanFranciscoMayorDanielLurie , #AssociationOfZoosAndAquariums , #AZA , #SpeciesSurvivalPlan , #SSP , #Animals , #Wildlife , #Nature , #AnimalWelfare , #AnimalCruelty , #AndeanBear , #KomodoDragon , #Chimpanzees ,  #PatasMonkey , #Fossa , #Orangutans , #Barriers , #PerimeterFence , #Pandas , #Bison ,  #Gorillas ,  #Lemurs , #Lions