"Very, Very Special"

The Meerkat and the weird Cat:

Lion cub makes

an unlikely new best friend
Last updated at 12:41 PM on 18th September 2010

It could be straight out of Disney hit The Lion King but this Lion cub and meerkat cuddling up to each other is real. Meet the real-life Simba and Timon.
The loveable duo have been best chums since new-born Lioness Zinzi was rescued by being taken into the home of zoo and safari ranch owner Marcell Tournier, 33, after the mother rejected her.
Just like cartoon character Simba -the Lion cub hero of Disney classic The Lion King- young Zinzi was also separated from her family and incredibly formed and bond with a wandering Meerkat.
In another incredible real-life parallel, Meerkat Bob acts like the movie character Timon as a drifter. The cheeky critter only comes to Marcell's when he feels like it and enjoys free meals.

Pictures show how the pair were inseparable from the beginning and are still good pals today- despite rapidly-growing Zinzi, now six months old, now vastly out-sizing her cheeky chum.
And there's nothing they like better than Lion around together in South Africa's summer heat.
Marcell added: 'Bob seems to have a "Hakuna Matata" problem-free philosophy and taught Zinzi how to relax'.
Zinzi was brought in at just one day old when Marcell realised her mother was refusing to feed her- a harsh reality of nature that could have meant the end of adorable Zinzi.
But almost as soon as the Lion had moved in to the home, near Sun City, South Africa, Marcell quickly realised he wasn't Zinzi's only fan.
Lively two-year-old Meerkat instantly took a shine to his new playmate.
Amazingly Bob began following his much bigger friend day and night and would even snuggle in at nap time.

'Bob likes having anything cute and cuddly around,' said Marcell. 'If it'll lie down and cuddle him he will love it'. The pair quickly formed an unlikely friendship and were soon doing everything together.
Marcell said: 'They play together, eat together and drink together. Whatever Zinzi was having in those first few days and weeks Bob would have as well'.
Bob is a celebrity face around the zoo, with some visitors coming back five or six times to see him again and again.
'Meerkats can be very aggressive but he's really cool', said Marcell. 'He's got loads of friends around here who he goes and sees every day. He plays with the Hyenas and other animals and they don't mind him.
'He pretty much runs the whole farm', he joked.
Bob's runs the sprawling Predator World Zoo and Game Farm, which covers 1,000 hectares in the country's north-west.
It is home to over 36 species of animal including Leopards, Cheetahs, Hyenas, Snakes and Birds.

"Remembered Ones"

Continuing with my writings based partly in songs, I fortunately made this new one, dedicated to Mitch Wihskers, whose birthday was yesterday. In this case, the song would be "The fool on the hill".


Guardian Angel Meerkat

The Sun took height
born again from beyond
and in the morning quiet and cold,
there already he was.
Protecting his Mob from dangers
that only a good Watcher sees.
And the others could always trust him
for he was called Eagle-Eye Mitch.
Mitch, the Eyes of his Clan,
he was born to make them
never have any harm.

The Sun was high
as if burning the clouds,
and by the bushes standing proud
he was doing his job.
Like the best Guardian Angel Meerkat
he would never leave his place,
and the others were safe around him,
for his name was Eagle-Eye Mitch.
And he fought in his way,
for his people to stay
like a 'Kat Livingstone.

“Tosca & Daisy Relief And Happiness”

Having seen that there wasn't almost anything about Tosca Whiskers, yesterday I wanted to write this for her, and with luck or help, I finished it today.


If we ever could cross our way,
I'd be there just to hear your words;
and you could tell of your life the whole day
like sad songs of ancient cords.

And if suddenly tears
start to fall from your eyes
I won't tell you 'no, don't cry',
'cause you'll know for yourself
that when big sorrows shine
they make all your sadness disappear.
So don't hold them,
they'll take all your sorrows away
and you'll have wings
that take you to Heavens of joy.

If you, little girl, could see me some day
just as you were born that time,
I would always let your little hands stay
like birds in the nest of mine.

Dear Tosca, your name will mean always so much
to millions of following friends;
and though you never enjoyed your crown,
you lived like a very true Queen.
So remember,
some crowns are for no one to see
while they shine there
like the Sun of the dawn in your head.


(The lyrics goes with this song by Enya):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?


And here, a picture of Tosca (or Baddiel) from the first days of this blog: