Badknee95 on 12/27/2006 2:12:10 PM wrote:
As a zookeeper and the Education Coord in the late 80's I remember Ruby so well. I started right after her arrival. She was always ready to greet you with grunt and a puff when you first came in and anytime you walked by. Her eyes would stare you dowm and she loved to make you the prey as she stalked you. I left just after her new exhibit was complete and was so happy for her. Ruby made everyone happy and today I am conflicted with feelings. Sad and somewhat happy that she now runs free. See ya later "Rubes". MJohnson
|
lynnellen3 on 12/17/2006 10:00:34 AM wrote:
Ruby was the first tiger my grandson ever saw. When we went to the zoo, Ruby was the high light of our trips. I, too, loved seeing her, as my family and I are all cat lovers, both large and small. And no matter what anyone says, animals do go to Heaven; I have quite a lot of animal friends and loved ones there, too. We will all miss you, Ruby. Rest in peace.
Lynn, Scott, Adam, and Chessie Cat Thompson
Roanoke, VA
|
lynnellen3 on 12/17/2006 9:59:24 AM wrote:
Ruby was the first tiger my grandson ever saw. When we went to the zoo, Ruby was the high light of our trips. I, too, loved seeing her, as my family and I are all cat lvoers, both large and small. And no matter what anyone says, animals do go to Heaven; I have quite a lot of animal friends and loved ones there, too. We will all miss you, Ruby. Rest in peace.
Lynn, Scott, Adam, and Chessie Cat Thompson
Roanoke, VA
|
charsduke2005 on 12/16/2006 2:50:12 PM wrote:
MAY RUBY REST IN THE HEAVEN FOR ALL THE ANIMALS FOR US TO ONE DAY SEE....HOW SPECIAL WE MUST BE FOR US TO HAVE HAD SUCH A GREAT TIGER AND HOW LOVED SHE WAS AND STILL IS...
MAY YOU BE MY FIRST PIECE OF ART ......
|
1950bing on 12/16/2006 8:40:15 AM wrote:
Ruby, one of God's beautiful big cats. How sad to learn that she is no longer with us. As another post stated,the first time my wife and I saw Ruby, she was in the corn crib. We are proud that we were able to give money to her new home. On seeing her new home
we were so pleased to see her with so much room. She was so beautiful. We know she got great care and love. Let her passing bring new interest to the zoo. Let her be the chief fund raising icon. Christmas cards,ornaments to stand for the zoo and Roanoke.Let her passing save the zoo.Thanks so much Ruby, we will miss you and remember you always. You are such a wonderful animal.So powerful yet so calm and gentle. Now it's time for you to rest. Thanks ole girl. RIP
beautiful t
|
allgrainer on 12/16/2006 8:02:52 AM wrote:
It is a damn tiger get over it.
|
deb212crafts on 12/15/2006 1:16:58 PM wrote:
My daughter always loved going up to the zoo, small as it is and especially to see Ruby. In her younger days we would spend a lot of time at her exhibit watching her run around and jump. The last time we were up there was kinda sad, she was just laying there, and not like her normal self. She will be terriby missed in this community. Debbie Elig
|
TheSFlame on 12/12/2006 5:37:38 PM wrote:
ruby....... only thing in this town worth driving up to that zoo and paying the fee for a third rate zoo that zoo is in ALL honstey the worst zoo but somthing about that tiger made it seem all nice.
|
ShaneOverstreet on 12/12/2006 12:14:51 AM wrote:
Ruby was one of my most uniqe friends. I used to be known to her, and I will miss you ya old Mongral.
You know, she alwasys remembered me from when I used to work at the Zoo, even years later.
|
springer on 12/11/2006 4:12:40 PM wrote:
What a sad thing to learn of Ruby's death. I grew up in Garden City at the foot of Mill Mountain. As a child a favorite event was to go through the woods to the zoo. Each summer a group of us made the trek at least several times. What memories, from the train to Frump Frump, and of course Ruby. I haven't lived in Rke. for 25 years now but my children know and love the zoo and we will dearly miss Ruby.Just seeing Ruby was always such a thrill but I think her greatest gift was making people aware of the consequences of having a wild animal as a pet. She had a rough start in life but the zoo provided her with the best a captive animal could receive. She was lucky. A special thank you to the dedicated zoo keepers who loved and cared for her
|
tank75rm on 12/11/2006 4:03:49 PM wrote:
I vaguely remember Ruby the tiger before the tiger came to the zoo. It is weird that something you grew up with has passed on. I was even in one of the first groups of people that first saw Ruby at the zoo. We can all have confrot that Ruby now is free of pain and in a better place.
|
sandramoore95 on 12/11/2006 3:13:59 PM wrote:
The first time my family and I viisted Ruby, she was in a corn crib. I had my two year old grandson, and she eyed him very closely. I couldn't decide whether she thought he was a cub or lunch.
Another time, after she had been moved to her habitat, we watched her "stalk" a worker, who was cutting grass around her habitat. My Mother thought it was not right that she wasn't allowed to breed. After all, she probably wouldn't have cared that her babies were pure bred. I think she would have liked the company. She donated $500 to her.I have cried about her as tho she were a friend. She was a lovely animal.
Sandra Kitchen Moore
|
LadyDavis on 12/11/2006 1:36:33 PM wrote:
I remember the first time I got to come to Mill Mountain Zoo, and saw Ruby for the first time. See was a magnificent animal and always a favorite of mine! Me and my husband are currently stationed at Fort Campbell, Ky. However, when we get to come home to Virginia I like to see the things I remember growing up. I have always loved Mill Mountain and mostly Ruby's exhibit. Ruby will be greatly missed. I'm only sorry I didn't get to the chance to come to Mill Mountain this year. My prayers are with the staff at Mill Mountain who got to work with this incredible animal for so many years, and provide her with the love of a family.
|
walker123 on 12/11/2006 12:44:09 PM wrote:
I moved to Roanoke back in 1998. Since then, I have unfortunately witnessed what Chris Ellis is referring to. Hopefully, with Ruby's sad passing, more attention and concern will be directed toward the zoo. I am proud to live and raise my son in such a wonderful community. However, we should take more pride and support what we have.
My family will dearly miss Ruby and our thoughts are with the zoo staff.
C'mon Roanoke, don't let the zoo fade away!!!!
|
BCBrandt on 12/11/2006 12:09:55 PM wrote:
When I moved back to Roanoke this summer, one of the first things I did was to buy a zoo membership. I'd make my way through the cages, saving the big cats until last. The first time I saw her was a quiet day when I was the only visitor at her pen. She padded to the fence and chuddered at me, peering at me through the bushes. The greeting floored me. On future visits she'd sometimes repeat that, or walk back and forth along the fence, chuffing or murring with each pass. It was incredibly special, having such a regal predator acknowledge you without wanting to eat your head. Throughout her illness, I never saw her lose her dignity. She was always a princess.
We'll miss you, Ruby. I'll miss you. Thank you for everything you gave us.
|
sickandtired on 12/11/2006 11:06:45 AM wrote:
I'll also miss Ruby. When our kids were young we would always go "hunt" for her from the observation deck above her area. Our kids all wanted to be the first to spot her prowling through her habitat, or playing with a large ball that was there. In her prime it was really neat to watch feeding time for her. But Chris makes a good (although inarticulate) point - the zoo is in dire need of membership and other support. It is a neat place to go with family or even by yourself. We should all go up there and check it out.
|
kwkeith on 12/11/2006 11:01:44 AM wrote:
I am so saddened by the passing of our Ruby. She was a beautiful creature that was caged but cared for in a superior way.
I do agree with early post of Chris Ellis that we as citizens of Roanoke are not good with the backing of our area activities that seem to decrease year to year for no other reason than we as citizens do not back them.
But Ruby did not care about that she only knew she was loved by her caretakers and a mystery to her onlookers.
Ruby we will remember you as you were...
Simple Beauty.
|
cmchurch on 12/11/2006 10:45:01 AM wrote:
Wow. I think ChrisEllis needs a hug.
|
ChrisEllis on 12/11/2006 10:06:13 AM wrote:
Ruby the Tiger didn't die of kidney failure; she died of lonliness. Mill Mountain Zoo is probably the *least* utilized asset of Roanoke - a town known for wanting activities but never supporing them [re: hockey teams, arena football, etc., that has come and gone].
The Zoo is open 364 days a year. Every time I am there, I have the place to myself. It is a ghosttown up there.
Death of a tiger, soon to be followed by the death of the Zoo. Typical Roanoke.
|
LindaF on 12/11/2006 9:54:17 AM wrote:
Since her coming to Mill Mountain Zoo, Ruby has been one of the highlights for us, particularly for my children, one born in 1980 and one in 1988 - our main reason for vising the zoo regularly has been to see Ruby. My older daughter volunteered at the zoo one summer so she could see her daily. Ruby was a magnificent animal and the three of us will miss her dearly.
|
