The author would like to acknowledge the following
people/organizations for their support of this project:
John and Barbara Williamson of Tiger
Touch in Fallon, Nevada
Ray Thunderhawk and the staff of Thunderhawk
Big Cat Rescue in Cocoa, Florida
The Morehead Foundation in Chapel Hill, NC for funding support
John Burkitt for advice and guidance in the world of sanctuaries
The author would also like to acknowledge the
following cats for making the experience magical:
Tiger Touch:
Niki, Tigress - For every morning kiss, and every fantastic pose.
Leroy and Passion, Bobcats - For growling and singing during the
night so that I would always know you were there.
Missy, Cougar - For stopping me on the way inside and letting me
rub you all over.
Kicky, Cougar - For letting me help heal you, and appreciating it.
Nala, Lioness - For not eating my finger and showing us your
strength.
Rocky, Lion - For your majesty, and letting me roar with you in the
morning.
Detonator, Tiger - For every chuff and pet, and getting Nala off my
boot.
Peggy Sue, Siberian Lynx - For demonstrating exactly how fast cats
can be.
Streaker, Serval - For being cute.
Thunderhawk Big Cat Rescue:
Freedom, Tigress Cub - For surviving, and reminding me what it
means to survive.
Liberty, Tigress Cub - For reminding me never to turn my back on a
tiger.
Hota, Tiger - For accepting my presence and reminding me of my
heart.
Quinn, Tiger - For pretending to let me look in charge.
Ohinni, Tigress - For being very cool and helping me practice my
chuff.
William, Tiger - For proving everyone who said that male tigers
couldn't be good fathers wrong.
Nuni, Tigress - For being a good mom to America.
America, Tigress Cub - For the great game of hide-and-seek.
Inila, Tiger - For keeping the herd in line.
Ohitika, Tiger - For your coolness in the face of overwhelming
curiosity.
Wicahpi, Tigress - For dumping that spider out of the bucket when I
asked you to.
Mahpia, Tiger - For giving me kisses with that sandpaper tongue.
Gleska, Tigress (Princess) - For your magical presence, and letting
me be in it on occasion.
Wisake, Tiger - For keeping Tompii from splashing me.
Peyta, Tigress - For letting me look into your eyes.
Ake Nitunpi, Tiger - For tightening my resolve, and steeling my nerves.
Ape, Tiger - For keeping me cool on a hot day.
Wowicala, Tigress - For expressing such interest in seeing me come
inside.
Ahiyanka, Tigress Cub - For showing such resiliance in the face of
adversity.
Wakuwa, Tigress - For flirting with me.
Cikala, Tiger - For reminding me that I am on the menu. (Run wild
and free, friend)
Sargeant, Lion Cub - For being so cute and spending time with me.
(May you never suffer again, brother)
Kola Kici Ya, Lioness Cub - For showing us where your teeth were.
Osceola, Leopard - For letting me see.
Cante, Leopard - For those nifty mock-charges at me.
Nunpa, Cougar - For letting me rub your back and purring at me.
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