My Latest Big Cat Project

[NMarti]

I have been working on a tri-fold brochure for Big Cat Rescue. The idea is to let people know the plight of tigers in captivity (outside rescue shelters). It's a little hard to see the real effect this way but you can get the idea. I'm pretty happy with how it turned out - but may still do a tiny bit of tweaking. The cool thing is I used all my own pictures and text and BCR was very happy with it.

Here is the front/back/right leaf

http://img246.imageshack.us/img246/1650/tigerbrochure1jv.th.jpg (http://img246.imageshack.us/my.php?image=tigerbrochure1jv.jpg)

Here is the inside

http://img253.imageshack.us/img253/6295/tigerbrochure27hq.th.jpg (http://img253.imageshack.us/my.php?image=tigerbrochure27hq.jpg)

[cathy]

that is wonderful !!!

[Valerie]

Nancy, love the brochure, you have done an excellent job.

[ktnoon60]

Nancy, that turned out so great! They are lucky to have you as a volunteer, it sounds like it is a great organization. It made me quite sad to read the pamphlet and hear what happens to those magnificent animal.

Terry

[NMarti]

Thank you Cathy, Valerie and Terry. I fell in love with the cats there 2 years ago and have wanted to do something to help ever since. My big cat poster set things in motion and now I love doing these and the cool part about learning Elements is I can use it for something good.

[Robyn]

Nancy,

Just how professional is that! You have done a tremendous job. So sad to read about the big cats. I can't think about any sort of animals in captivity, it just goes against everything in my being. I only ever buy free range eggs etc.etc. Caged birds for egg production is just an horrific concept in my view. And as for tigers, they are the most magnificent animals. I haven't been to a zoo for many, many years. The last one I went to just broke my heart with these magnificent big cats prowling around in a small concrete enclosure. I think (I hope) that this philosophy has changed quite a bit of the years though.

I hope that your brochure helps make a difference.

[vawitt]

Gorgeous pictures! When they are printed, will they bleed off the edges like your sample does, or will the printer leave a white border around the paper? (Hope not - it would spoil the lovely effect you have going...)

~Val in IL

[NMarti]

Thank you so much Robyn. That's a real compliment calling it professional - since I'm anything but a professional. I just love the cats. You're right - I went to the zoo last weekend and the cats are so lethargic and bored and it is sad to see them like that. They really haven't changed the cages much in all these years.

Val - thank you. Yes - it is set up to do full bleed off the edges. I sample printed it and it worked very well. The printer that will do these will also be doing full bleed.

[karen donnybrook]

Nancy, I echo Robyn's words; it is a truly professional job you have done. Keep working for those lovely animals, I am sure your message will get across to more people.

[Wendy]

Hi Nancy ...

Wow that just looks so professional ... you have done an excellent job on it and what a truely worthwhile cause it is for :)

Wendy

[kevq]

Nancy,
what a wonderful brochure!
I go to two zoos here in the UK - Marwell near Winchester and when I'm in Jersey, the Jersey zoo.
Both of these zoos are dedicated to the breeding and return to the wild of endangered species. They both have large enclosures for the animals.
I won't go to a circus or any zoo where the animals are not treated with love and respect.
Keep up the good work, the big cats need more people like you.
Kev.

[NMarti]

Karen, Wendy and Kev - thank you so much. It means a lot that you guys think it looks good. I am starting a series of posters for them as well but have not yet "formulated" the idea in my head totally.

Kev that's so good to hear that there are places dedicated to the return to the wild. Unfortunately, the cats at Big Cat are seldom eligible for that since most were raised in captivity by humans with strong human contact. That means they would most likely seek out human contact if freed and that would be a recipe for disaster. They do have some success stories of returning injured animals back that have been nursed back to health after being struck by cars or shot by hunters.

[Diana]

Nancy,

I agree with all the others...a beautiful brochure and very professional-looking. The information in it should make an impact on readers...it almost made me cry. How wonderful to use an application so fun to work with for a cause you believe in and really make a difference with it!

Diana

[bwolford]

I live in Tampa Nancy and I hear about that organization all the time! Wonderful job. Terrific.

By the way, Pixentral now allows you to post links via thumbnail and no no more Imageshack pop-ups... Whoopee...

Brice

[SCRAPPYGIRL]

Nancy,
How wonderful!!! Big cats are a particular favorite of mine, so this really hits a cord with me. I think you have done a fantastic, professional job with this. Hope it's a paying job!!

[Dorrie H.]

Nancy,
What a wonderful project, and you did a very professional job indeed. If only people would realize how important it is to save our wild animals. The cats are such beautiful creatures.

Keep up the good work...the world needs people like you.

Dorrie

[NMarti]

Thanks guys, I really appreciate your comments.
Brice - I didn't know about pixentral - that's great news. You should stop by and check them out. They are north of the city by the Westfield shopping center - turn right next to Mcdonald's. It's a great place to visit - you would not be disappointed. I go every November just to take pictures and get new inspiration for my artwork.

[jazzfisher]

Nancy,
I can't really add anything that hasn't already been said. You did a fantastic job--extremely professional & very moving.
When you come out here to visit me,:) I'll take you to the Wild Animal Park---all the animals are in large natural habitats...:D

[bwolford]

Sherry, that sounds like Lion Country Safari in West Palm Beach...

Brice

[crljean]

Nancy -
Ditto! ;-)

[jazzfisher]

Brice,
10-12 years ago we also had one in Orange County, (when I lived up there--hour away). But the Wild Animal Park is thousands of time better, they really promote education & repopulating --animals back into their habaitats if possible. They have more Black Rhinos than anywhere else on earth now.. Check it out on line: http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wap/wap_landing.html

[Dorrie H.]

Hey Sherry,

You mean this place.....It's wonderful..was there about 3 years ago. This is one of the pics I took there.

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1h4aPDzCwlgSHktIpP9U4Le8pEYg1_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1h4aPDzCwlgSHktIpP9U4Le8pEYg1)

Dorrie

[jazzfisher]

Yes, Dorrie,
So you got to have the Lorikeets sit all over you????
I'm a "member" so we buy a yearly pass. They have wonderful photo caravans--got to pet the Rhinos & the giraffeses!!! Also have done the "Roar & Snore" where you get to camp overnight right next to the African enclosure with elephants & giraffes, gnus, & everything right on the other side of fence (roaming free)

[NMarti]

Sherry
Sounds like a plan!;)

Thank you Carol, Dorrie and Jean. I really enjoy doing it for them.

[kayser]

What great work! And it would be really cool to receive a brochure that YOU made. Thanks for sharing with us!

[Maureen]

You did a beautiful job with the brochure. It really gets the message across.

Maureen

[Norm F]

Nancy,

Excellent work! You are really making good use of your PSE skills. Congratulations on a great piece.

[mom to 4]

Nancy: That is a great brochure! You have used some wonderful images of beautiful animals! It is really put together well. Great work!

[WingAnimal]

Nancy - WOW! I mean... WOW!!!

[NMarti]

Thanks guys - I really appreciate it. Carol gave the final okay last night so it is off to the printers. She's having 750 printed to start.

[luvmydigital]

Nancy---what a great job you have done. Thanks for telling me about this place---I enjoyed my visit!!!!!

[Pauline]

Nancy, your brochure is excellent!! Very professional looking. They must be thrilled to have you doing this work for them.

[NMarti]

Thank you Pauline and Sabrina. She emailed me that they are now printing 5000 of them. Wow! I feel really good about that - that she thinks it's good enough to do print that many.

[Jodi Frye]

Nancy, wow, that is really well done. How I would like to do something meaningful like that....all of it. Wildlife rescue is a great thing and there is soooo much involved in it. Bravo and my hats off to you (if I had a hat )

Dorrie, the birds...that is what we have, a Rainbow Lori. He is so beautiful but such a pain ! He yells at us....loudly. I've heard that if you walk into the down under woods where a flock of rainbow lorikeets have landed that you would lose your mind...and certainly your hearing. I can believe it. Good thing he only does this a few times a day for not 'too' long a period...otherwise he's be a bird in flight( if i lived in Australia he would have been a bird in flight a long while ago)

[NMarti]

Thanks Jodi - it is a great feeling.

Did I understand your post right? You have a Lori? My daughter wants one soooooo bad. She loves them. We went to the zoo last week and she was so disappointed that the exhibit had so few left in it. They gave us some vague excuse about old age and such but I suspect they are keeping them protected from possible exposure to bird flu or something. I didn't realize you could buy them. Maybe I won't tell her or I would never hear the end of it.

[NRiceDesigns]

Very professional indeed Nancy! Please share your series of posters with us. I, too, am saddened by the treatment of animals in captivity.

I often compare the inhumane treatment of animals in captivity to the elder population in nursing homes who are often treated as captive animals.

[jazzfisher]

Ok Jodi & Dorrie& NancyI will have to find my photos of the lorikeets sitting all over everyone, sh*ting on everyone---only problem you won't be able to hear how loud they are!!
Nancy there are different kinds of Lorikeets--some can even learn to talk. When I worked in the pet store, we had one named Cowboy who could talk. But be cautioned they are nectar eaters--that means they squirt big time--if you get my drift.......

[Jodi Frye]

Yyup, our talks...talks to0 much !!!

Tho they are beautiful birds a I would not advise anyone to buy one as a pet. They eat fruit, nectar and are extremely extremely messy. Keeping the cage clean is a major chore. They are also extremely loud so if you live in an apartment your neighbours would surely complain. We got him when he was about 4 months old and he was very tame. He is 8 now and completely unpredictable. Some days he kisses and other days he would just assume rip your nose off. Nope, I would not advise anyone to cage a Lori. As I said, if I live in his native land i would have set him free long ago.

[bwolford]

Second that. A Cockateel is generally more domesticated, will talk, and can be quite friendly.

We had one named Dudley Dooright. We had him at college. We left him near a window during the day to watch the sites and the little bonehead learned to talk like a mockingbird. More of help than a bird whistle. He usually did it when he wanted attention. He hated my wife. He would site peacefully on my hand, arm, head, whatever and preen peacefully. When my wife held him, he would squawk, pinch her, and do his "business." I would take him and he'd quiet down immediately. I taught her how to bribe him with millet and eventually they tolerated each other, but most women were a problem. Men never were.

Never had that problem with other birds. We think he had male only handlers or an abusive female handler. Smart birds with great memories.

We took Dudley outside for short flight (wings were clipped enough to prevent him for taking off too far, or so we thought). He heard the mockingbirds in some oak trees and took off. Didn't hear from him for 2 weeks. One very cold night and he was standing at our door when I left for classes the next morning. Hopped right in and never wanted to leave the house thereafter.

Brice

[NMarti]

Jodi
I don't think a Lori is in the future. We do have a cockatiel and I have enough trouble getting her to take care of him. He is not caged and has free roam of her room. We have "cleaning pads" everywhere he sits so cleanup is easy. He is very tame but has never learned to talk. The only problem is getting Sophie (our new dog) to understand that just because she is a bird dog does not mean she has to eat birds. :eek: Auggie - who was also a bird dog was so scared of him that he would run when the bird made a sound (probably because the bird landed in front of him one day and my daughter screamed so loud the neighbor came to see if she was okay and Auggie was so afraid she would scream again he ran every time the bird came near).

[Wendy]

Oh Nancy ...

The story about Auggie is just so funny :)

Wendy

[jazzfisher]

Birds (Parrots) tend to take to one sex or the other, does't necessarily mean they were abused by one or the other.
Brice, I had Cagney the Cockatiel (they are good whistlers-not great talkers)
Also Bogart & Bacall (Parakeets)
And Peter Lorre (A Red-loried Amazon parrot--the large "Reg". green parrot) He was adopted from the St. Louis zoo-so I never knew how old he was. His favorites were popcorn & spagetti, he had free roam, the cats & dogs never bothered him. He even would climb on the bed everyday & sleep on the pillow next to me. (he never talked)

[Jodi Frye]

Nancy, too funny !!! :) Dogs are funny. Ya we had a cockateil as well and they are sooo much easier. However, our cockateil found freedom down in New Port Richey where we lived about 7-8 years ago. He also had free roam of the house and he never bothered too much with freedom until the one fine day he flew out the door. It was unexpected of him and I watched as he flew a zillion miles an hour out into the wild blue yonder. Never saw him again. I'm actually glad he found his freedom. There are soooooo many 'escaped' birds in Florida. They do just fine down there. At this point even if I found my way to the land down under i would not be able to have the heart to let my Lori go as i would be afraid that he would not be able to take care of himself. So I have to deal with his behaviour for another 20 years or better :rolleyes: ...anyways, in summer when it warms up we put his cage out on the backporch and so that is where he is now. I can have some peace during the warm seasons. :) BTW, he 'used' to have time outside of his cage but when he started biting the kids he lost his privileges. Now the only time he gets to leave his cage is when i have to clean it and then i put him inside the bathroom behind the shower doors with his 'bath' dish. He's such a pain but I still love the little bastard.

[NMarti]

Jodi
That's actually how Bird came to live with us (sorry - he never has gotten a name):o . My brother found him sitting on his driveway one day and he just walked up and picked him up. He was obviously a tame pet. The bird hopped onto his shoulder and sat there. His girlfriend did not want a bird so he took it to my parents. They were camping a lot at the time and didn't want to be bothered so she gave it to my daughter. He loves my husband but is not overly fond of me or Caitlyn. He never bites or anything but will only come to me when he's hungry or thirsty. My daughter accidently pinched his foot in the door one time and cut the flesh. He came flying right to me - wierd how they know who the caregiver is.

[CarolLHB]

Nancy-
Just saw your work for the first time-wow!:eek:

[Jodi Frye]

Nancy, you know the old saying... 'birds of a feather flock together' :) Perhaps you were a bird in a previous life. ;) PS, ya our bird is called ' Lori Bird ' ...we had such an imagination didn't we ? :rolleyes: That is one of the things my bird says alot " Lori bird, Shut Up ! " Anyways, animals end up where they are meant to be....they choose us !!!