|
Some of Josef's credits included : TV's Tarzan, The Lion King, Naked Gun 3, "George of the Jungle", Meet the Deedles, The Postman, MGM, Animal Planet's - Wild on the Set, BORN FREE the
series, Dreyfus fund, countless still photo appearances and allot more!
In 2000, per a promise Charlie made Josef on set many years earlier, Josef was completely retired from entertainment and allowed to enjoy his retirements at Wild Things. He went for his walks with Charlie,
played loose on the ranch and visited with those lucky enough to be around when it was happening. Regardless of circumstances, Charlie turned down all commercial work for Josef in an attempt to keep a promise.
In 2006, Josef began truly showing the unfortunate signs of old age. His walks were shortened to accommodate his aching joints and his diet was enhanced with herbs and medications as needed to help him remain as
comfortable as possible in his old age. Towards the end of June and into July of 2008, Josef's health was failing more and more requiring Charlie to hand feed and water him daily but his spirits seemed calm and
relaxed. He was just old and in need of help, help Charlie was more than happy to provide an old friend and Josef seemed more than happy to receive from the same.
On July 7th, 2008, Charlie found Josef sleeping in the sun of his paddock as he normally did but this time, Josef wouldn't wake up. It was time and Charlie was faced with making the decision he had dreaded for so
long. It was time to say good-bye to a best friend, a partner and a true soul mate.
Those who knew Josef well have all contacted us with the exact same message, "our lives were blessed and made better for having met such a special being." In the industry, several
company owners have had special relationships with very special male lions but no-one seems to have ever had two in one lifetime. Charlie realizes this but he also realizes how many have never even
had one and he feels truly blessed for having had Josef. Because Josef started Wild Things, it seemed only fitting that be buried at its entrance. Never before in the history of the ranch has it ever been completely
closed to the public. On this day, the gates were closed, locked and manned by volunteers for the entire day. A beautiful memorial bench shaped like a sleeping male lion was placed next to Josef's grave where his
friends, family and Charlie can sit and visit with him for as Charlie has stated on several other such sad occasions, " We beleive ~ in another place, a better place, a place where I will join Josef and
my many other friends who left before me ~ a place where we will be reunited and never separated again." Josef is and will always remain the logo and the signature of Wild Things and Vision Quest Ranch. His
silhouette will never be removed from where we feel it belongs, on everything we do for animals.
|
