Our Story - Bailey

Bailey’s Story

Hi everyone!
I thought it was about time I did an update on my dear Puma Bailey (Wonky Tonky) especially since the wonderful response I have had from the Baby planet program! Well for those of you who have been wondering about her, and for those who don’t know the story of Wonky here is her story and the latest news:

It all began on 12 November 2008, when our North American Puma female ‘Lara” gave birth to three cubs, unfortunately it being her first birth, she was inexperienced and left her babies, showing no maternal instincts. Lara must have given birth in the early morning hours, as they were found at 7am when the staff came on duty, they were cold, lifeless and two were still in the sac, which I removed as quickly as possible, but this meant that the babies had been without sufficient oxygen for an unknown amount of time. We had not suspected her to give birth so soon, otherwise we would have surveyed her throughout the night. Also meaning that according to our calculations, she was still mating after she had conceived.

Nonetheless, with heat, a cosy dry bed and vigorous stimulation I slowly managed to get some life into the cold little bodies. After many hours of trying I finally got them to suckle one by one, they took to the teat. It was a huge relief, and they all seemed fine, bar for my dear little boy Benjie (who is another story I shall share with you).  The next few days were gruelling and fragile; they needed two hour feeds 24 hours a day, with lots of care regarding hygiene and supplements, as they were very susceptible to infection due to the fact that they did not get any colostrum from their mother.  Once I had managed through the first three days they started gaining good weight and they all seemed lively and healthy. It was only really wanted to pursue the matter. It was then that my prayers were answered,  Nicole Brunda of Back to back productions had heard of Bailey’s quest and offered us a wonderful opportunity to investigate her illness further, and in exchange we would film her story for Baby planet. I was over the moon! I truly wanted to believe that there was something we could do………

So it came about that Bailey (by now had the nick name Wonky Tonky) and I were off to Cape town, where Nicole had arranged for us to see Dr Melville, a renowned neuro surgeon at the Constantiaberg hospital. As we could not find any accommodation that were happy to house a Puma and understandably so! It was decided that Wonky and I would stay with Nichole and her family, being animal lovers it was a real treat for them to have a real Puma live in their home, and it was a real treat for Wonky and I to spend the upcoming days in such a beautiful home, with such an adoring family.  It was their son JP who willingly gave up his room for Wonky and I, so we were cosy and set for the next few days and of course many nights of little sleep firstly due to my concerns and worries about the outcome of Wonkys’ tests and also because Miss Wonky believed that I should take up one tenth of the bed while she sprawled out like queen of Sheba!

After an initial house call by Dr Melville he agreed that a CT scan was necessary to assess the problem. All had already been arranged, from Dr Ross being the veterinary anaesthetist, to reserving the radiology unit at Constantiaberg hospital exclusively for Wonky! It was on a Saturday morning, that we drove Wonky to the hospital with high hopes that Dr Melville would be able to tell us it was something she could grow out of or even that there was an operation to help her be a normal Puma. I felt such a deep need for a positive answer that day, I so wanted that sweet little girl to be free of this handicap that she had been dealt, she did not deserve it. I also felt so much amazement and saw so much hope just by the people that she and I were surrounded by, I could not believe the love, the dedication and the care that all these people showed, it was truly a heart-warming and reassuring moment, in a world that is so full of destruction and selfishness. Wonky and I were blessed, simply for the people we met on that trip. The CT scan went off well with no stress to Wonky at all, Dr Ross was really amazing. It was a nail biting experience though, she looked so vulnerable asleep on that huge scanner, and not knowing what that radiograph was telling the experts in the room next door. Dr Ross and I stayed close to her the entire time. Once it was over, I was relieved when Dr Ross gave her the antidote to wake her up, and she was fine, there is always a risk when anesthetizing and I especially worried about her. But if she were human she would have had a smile on her face when she woke, such a sweet girl as though she knew exactly what this was all about and that we were trying to help her.  Unfortunately the day turned into a very sad and heart-breaking one (and I still have tears even as I write this), the news was not good at all. The results showed without a doubt, that Wonky had cerebral palsy, due to lack of oxygen at birth.

Wonky Tonky had won the hearts of too many, she had grown into a beautiful young Puma, with a unique and beautiful character, I decided there and then that she deserved a chance to live out her life. Assured by Dr Melville that she was in no pain, and that she was not aware of the fact that she was different, we started with plans for her life at Lory Park, even though she had many offers to stay in Cape Town!!

Nicole arranged meetings and workshops for myself and Wonky, from animal whisperers and behaviourists to physiotherapists, and we spent the next few days getting much help and advice that would help us make her life comfortable and even improve some aspects of her disability.  After a busy week in Cape Town, and some down time on the beach (which proved to have a very positive effect on Wonky’s balance) it was time to return home.

A safety enclosure was built for Wonky and her sister Baruk, where they could live and play without Wonky injuring herself. I continued to do physiotherapy with her, as did many professional therapists who kindly gave their time in helping Wonky. That is how it still is today, Wonky( Bailey) lives a happy life with her sister Baruk, she has weekly therapy sessions, support medication and lots of love from all the staff, as she and her sister Baruk have become the “little darlings” of Lory Park. Although Wonky is still not aware of the fact that she is a fully grown Cougar! She still wants to jump into your arms, and suck fingers, regardless of the huge fully grown Cougar teeth in her mouth! They are both loving and affectionate, not realizing that they are no longer cubs, and their affection can get quite rough at times!

We have in the mean time we have renovated  their enclosure, and have made Wonky her own private beach, with a safe new playground, as the old one has been battered and ruined by the two energetic sisters!

Well that’s all for now, I will keep you updated regularly and would like to thank everyone who has shown their interest, support and care since seeing the program on television.

Much appreciated always

Love

Matty, Wonky and the Lory Park team