For Flower,
I have waited a while before I wrote this tribute. for a couple of reasons. The first is that I was devestated over Flower's death. I was angry at those filming that they didn't protect her (knowing full well that was not the way it was supposed to be). And, I was so heart broken that I could not write.
It is amazing how such a small animal I never touched, held, or played with grabbed my heart and wrapped herself around it. From being a cute little animal I watched on a TV screen, Flower became, in a very short period of time, so much more. I looked forward to seeing her on TV. My friends and I talked about Meerkat Manor at work and other places. Flower became a "close friend" to so many people. I know - it sounds crazy, but she had an impact on the feelings of everyone who got to know and love her.

I could go no and on praising her strength, leadership skills, compassion and love for her family, even when she had to be stern. She had a lot of wonderful qualities that we "2 legged" animals could learn from.

Thank you Flower for all the wonderful memories you brought to us. The "rose" has faded on the Kalahari never to bloom like that again. I do feel that your offspring have great genes and my hope is for them to pick up the torch you so gallently carried. Life will go on in the Kalahari, as it does everywhere but it will never be the same without you. Thank you for sharing your life with so many and thank you for giving so much to us all.
You will be missed.
Wayne