Roar Like A Lion!!!

It has been awhile since I've posted something but we just had to share this...

Two lion cubs, a boy and a girl, were born at the Saskatoon Zoo on Sept 24, 2011.  The Zoo had a Name the Cubs contest which received over 2800 submissions. Our nephew Johnathan McLeod submitted one of those entries with a letter and pictures suggesting the cubs be named Nathan and Shadow.  Johnathan's submission has been selected as the winner by a panel of representatives from the Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park and Zoo, Saskatoon Zoo Society, Saskatoon Zoo Foundation, and PotashCorp (they sponsored the lion enclosure). The lion cubs will be officially named Nathan (boy) and Shadow (girl) Thurs June 28th, at 4pm during a presentation with Johnathan at the Saskatoon Zoo.  I can't begin to write how honoured and touched we are by this gesture and know Nathan would be absolutely thrilled.   I have posted Johnathan's letter, photos and the official news release below.  What a wonderful job Johnathan did in writing this letter...

Hi – I’m Johnathan.  I was wondering if the lion cubs names could be “Nathan” and “Shadow.”  I want to name the boy lion “Nathan” because my cousin’s name is Nathan and he had Leukemia which is a type of cancer.  He died 2 years ago on July 23rd. Nathan was 6 years old.  I want to name the girl “Shadow” because Nathan had a stuffy dog named Shadow.  Shadow went with Nathan to all of his doctor appointments, chemo appointments, and surgeries.  Now Nathan’s family has a dog named Shadow.

It would mean a lot to our families if the lions were named “Nathan” and “Shadow” because we always went to the Saskatoon Forestry Farm and Zoo together.  We liked to go in the summer and in the winter.  I’ve included some pictures of us together at the Zoo.

The lion cubs should be named “Nathan” and “Shadow” because our Nathan was brave and strong like a lion.  When he had to go for surgeries and chemo Nathan had to be really brave and strong – but sometimes he would get upset and roar like a lion!!!

Another reason the lions should be named “Nathan” and “Shadow” is that for the Skating Carnival one year our Nathan was dressed as Simba the Lion!  So, he has a close connection with Lions.

If the lion cubs were named “Nathan” and “Shadow” it would remind us of all the fun times we had together with our Nathan at the Zoo.  And would be a way to help us remember our cousin and how much we love him.

Thank-you,

Johnathan McLeod

Here is the news release from the City of Saskatoon - they captured my favourite part of the letter!

“NAME THE CUBS” CONTEST WINNER ANNOUNCED

The Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo is pleased to announce that the two lion cubs born at the Zoo on September 24, 2011, have been officially named Nathan (male cub) and Shadow (female cub). The winning entry selected for the “Name the Cubs” contest was submitted by 10 year old Johnathan McLeod of Saskatoon. 

Johnathan’s entry form was accompanied by a heartfelt letter explaining the meaning behind the names he selected.  The name Nathan was chosen in honour of Johnathan’s cousin, Nathan, who died in 2010 of leukemia at the age of 6.  Shadow was the name of Nathan’s stuffed animal that he brought along to his many doctor appointments, chemotherapy treatments and surgeries. Johnathan has fond memories of visiting the Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo with his cousin Nathan and their family. 

In his letter Johnathan wrote, “The lion cubs should be named Nathan and Shadow because our Nathan was brave and strong like a lion.  When he had to go for surgeries and chemo Nathan had to be really brave and strong, but sometimes he would get upset and roar like a lion!!!”

Johnathan will receive a prize package that includes a one-year family membership to the Saskatoon Zoo Society, a framed photo of the lion cubs, and two plush lion toys.  An official presentation will take place on Thursday, June 28, 2012, at 4:00 p.m. in front of the Zoo’s PotashCorp Ark exhibit.  Media and Zoo patrons are welcome to attend. 

The “Name the Cubs” contest ran from April 24 to June 1, 2012, and received over 2,800 entries.  Submissions were carefully reviewed by judges from the Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo, Saskatoon Zoo Society, Saskatoon Zoo Foundation, and PotashCorp.

"It was very difficult to select just one entry with all of the fantastic names that were submitted," said Moran, "we were very pleased to see the number of people who took part in this special contest.”

Nathan and Shadow are currently enjoying life as a pride with their parents, Dobi and Cooey, in the PotashCorp Ark exhibit at the Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo.  The lion family will remain in Saskatoon until October 2012, when they will then be returned to their permanent home in Ontario.
For more information on the Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo, please visit www.saskatoon.ca/go/zoo or call 975-3382.

We are very fortunate to have family like this - thanks Johnny!  Johnathan was on the radio this morning to talk about his entry with Brent Loucks from 650 CKOM - you can hear the podcast here.

Also wanted to add this picture at the end of one of the cubs on his mom's back, how many times did Shelley have to give Nathan a piggy back ride....