Kiara
September 1, 2004 - October 23, 2024
Loving Adoptive Parent: Rachel Banks - Paradise, TX
Loving Sponsors: Marsha Little - Richmond, VA and Miles Milner - Lubbock, TX
They say angels come in all shapes and sizes. I, for one, believe this with my heart and soul. All shapes, sizes…and fur.
I will never forget when Savanna passed—I mourned for days. I didn’t know if I could ever connect with another big cat as much as I had with Savanna. Standing at a checkout line in Walmart on the phone, Heidi told me about a lioness that had just lost her mate before coming to CARE. I will never forget her telling me Kiara needed someone.
Truth be told, I needed you more, Kiara. When we first met, I could see pain of a loss. I could feel it, too. Yet, you probably saw mine and could also feel it. I remember after only a couple of visits, you sat with me, consoled me, as I did for you. A few months later, you once again consoled me with the loss of my father, and few years later the loss of my mom.
Kiara brought a light into my life that no one else could. As time progressed, I saw the playful side come out. Videos of the kitty butt wiggle. The playfulness of our chase game. Yes, Kiara, you were sometimes crabby, but for me, you were always a bright shining star. You would always sit at the fence with me, and in your way, you shared your strength with me. Perhaps, I saw myself in her: sassy, cautious to get too close, but loving with all your heart those you let in. Perhaps that is why Kiara was so precious to me. Or, perhaps she was simply a dear love in my life, my angel brought to me at the most divine moment in my life. My angel with fur for wings!
As with every living being, time brings old age. The sand of the hourglass slowly dissipates. And, with old age as our bodies begin slowing down, the next cycle of life comes. Your time was more than most, being at least 20. You lived a long and happy life at CARE. You might be gone from this earth, but I always know: you will always be my angel from above.
“And when I feel like there is no one That will ever know me There you are to show me When I look to the sky Something tells me you're here with me” - “When I Look to the Sky” by Train.
Rest in peace, my dearest love. You have far exceeded earning every treasure in heaven possible. May your soul be forever blessed. Give my love to those that went before you, Savanna especially, from your momma. And, when I will still look to the sky, I will know you are still with me, my angel.
-Written by Rachel Banks, Volunteer and Adoptive Parent
Kiara's Bio
Kiara was due to arrive at CARE with a male lion. However, before her previous owners brought them to us, they wanted to have the male seen for a possible tumor. They performed surgery and it went well but the old male was very slow to wake up. Unfortunately, he passed away during the night, most likely due to his advanced age. We were crushed to hear that Kiara would now be alone.
When Kiara was being unloaded she did not seem very happy, we were told she had a bit of an attitude. We also noticed that she was the most physically fragile of the group. But, she went into her enclosure without much of a fuss and went straight for her toys.
What we have found out since she moved in is that she is the most comfortable and confident of the group. She is both sweet and spicey, and has actually adjusted to live alone exceptionally well.
Kiara still requires a little extra TLC though. She has a skin condition that flares up during allergy season and her teeth are not in great shape. But, she has come a long way from her first day at CARE and is a very strong lady!
To learn more about Kiara's arrival at CARE, click here.
