I’ve been working very hard at improving my life and the life of my animals:

Making plans, Soliciting the money;  Drawing diagrams for the facility and redesigning what will work best for now and future use of these facilities, knowing I will eventually have a place of my own.

The tent went up in January, thanks to Chewey Davenport and his family and crew, to be used as a permanent ‘building’ for the show.  A risk, yes, but all I have to get started, a risk in getting past the end of winter and spring and the ever changing Texas weather but, a risk worth taking!....it being all that I have.

I rewrote the show and revised it after the first showing failed so miserably! 

Finally after testing the script and making changes we have a working show.  It is nothing like a circus but will include performance as time goes on.  There are plans for special events and fund raisers, and a ‘Special Edition’ for taking the show out into the surrounding community, teaming up with Chewey on this.

Opening this weekend and it will be open every weekend, weather permitting.  Accepting reservations and going to schools promoting the show.  We are ticketing and purchasing advertising.  The location is not the best but easy to find with potential, lots of parking and bathrooms.

The next step is to focus on the business of building the facility.

I made the final draft of what I wanted with room for expansion. 

I then set out looking into materials and visiting other private facilities to see the materials that they have used.  I need this to be economical and something that, with the exception of the welding, I could work on myself as I do know how to cut and grind after all the years of transport cage construction and arena building.

After seeing what materials were available I began my search.  The materials had to be a special order and  I wanted the best price!  That seemed almost impossible as the materials were priced differently with a spread of a $25.00 difference for each panel of 8X20 4’squared horse panels, galvanized and powder coated, requiring a bundle of 25!

The best price came from a farm supply on the outskirts of San Antonio, D and D Farm and Ranch supply.  They also had the fencing that the USDA requires. They were willing to deliver for far less than what it would cost for me to pick it up!  The wait began with daily calls.  Were the materials in?  Did the price go up? Were there any deliveries coming this way?

I raised the money from several sources; People I have met down here; Friends and fans we had made friends with over the years.  Continuing to acquire more funds for the balance of the materials needed and the welder, all under the stress of knowing that there is a target date for completion and I upped the date by three months.

It became complicated three weeks ago when one of the tigers required vet care and she had a bad reaction to the antibiotics she was given, there is no other explanation. 

Each day for the past three weeks I go out and force feed the cat with hopes of reversing this.  I put antibiotics down her throat, and force fed her with strained turkey and chicken threw a large syringe.  Nutrical, lots of nutrical, B12 shots every other day!  Needless to say I’m thrilled she began to lap at the water from the hose but there is a bag of emergency fluids hanging nearby.  This has taken its toll on me as I sit vigil with this incredible animal day after day, stroking her face and eyes, scratching behind her ear and stroking her under her chin so she will know I care.

Almost three weeks that cat has not touched a bite of food on her own; she should have been dead by now.  I had begun administering the fluids the day before getting as much into her before she would pull the plug; she’s beginning to dehydrate which would certainly seal her fate.  Last night, for the first time in three weeks, my cat ate, consuming half the brisket that was purchased for her, I cut into small bites. 

Last Night, she ate!

Back to the facility, interviewing welders, checking their work.  I even received an offer from another showman to hire his man knowing that would never happened as no one from his camp has been by for several months to check on me and the tent or just to say hi!

I finally found one willing to work with me, welding one panel at a time as I prep the steel.  I have a friend who should be coming soon, who will be able to help with this project and might stay as permanent staff of the facility and the show!

I’m planning on including pictures and a video of this project.

A ‘behind the scenes view’ of Building a Facility for the Great Cats that has never been seen before. 

Enjoy!

by Barbara Hoffmann

     to be continued

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