I just heard about the need to euthanize the elaphant named Pet. I can only imagine how difficult and sad this must be for all involved. Since elephant are so smart and intuitive, is there a process / ceremony that the elephant keepers go through for the other elephants to help them grieve her passing away? (private and respectful viewing of her body or something?) Do they also need some closure upon her death? Please let me know. Thanks, and I am sorry for the tremendous loss of such a magnificent creature (and the sadness that is in store for he elephant keepers).
--Anonymous

This is a response to the above inquiry from Mike Keele, deputy director and former elephant keeper

Thank you so much for your thoughtful words of support. We do allow Pet's herd mates access to her once she has passed. We really don't know what's going on in their heads, but we sure want them to be able to confront this important phase of life. We hope this process allows closure for them. We know they will miss her in the herd dynamics because she was their leader. But, it's time to pass the leadership baton on. I think her daughter will become a wonderful herd leader - just like her mom.

Thanks again for sharing your thoughts and comments.
--Mike Keele

I was sad to hear about Pet and would like to extend my condolences to her people. It is always a sad, sad thing to see a loved one in constant pain and then to make the hardest decision that the only way now to end the pain also involves ending her life... I weep now and will weep again. Thank you.
--Deborah R., Lincoln City, OR

This is a response to the above inquiry from Mike Keele, deputy director and former elephant keeper

Thank you so much for your kind words of support. It is a difficult time for us and you've pretty much captured how we all feel. It's especially tough when you care so deeply for a wonderful creature yet
know that this will be the last good thing you can do for her. I will share your thoughts with her caregivers and I know they will appreciate your sentiments.
--Mike Keele

I am so sorry to hear about Pet. I have followed her existence since she came here. I know that euthanasia is very appropriate. I will miss her. My grandchildren were just there 2 weeks ago and we have a picture of her.
--Peggy S.

I am so sorry to hear that you are going to loose Pet. Over the years, she has brought so much joy to so many. She will be sadly missed.
--Leonore L., Fairview, OR

I wanted to extend my sympathies to the Elephant keepers and what must be an emotional time for all of them. I know you must get very attached to the all the animals in your care. It must be particularly hard when it is an elephant such as Pet with whom you have had a long term relationship. I wish that I could have known her.
--Susan S., Portland, OR

Good morning. My wife and I were sad to read of Pet's health issues. The articles were well written, but we didn't see what was to happen to her. Due to her size, cremation seems out of the question. Will she be burried on the zoo grounds? At any rate, thanks from two fans for the care you've given her.

We also thinks it's a great idea for the rest of the "family" to visit her when she is gone, for their closure.
--Steve and Danette S., Corvallis, Oregon

This is a response to the above inquiry from Dr. Mitch Finnegan, veterinarian.

Normally we cremate all of the animals that die at the zoo. There are facilities that are set up to cremate large animals like horses that can cremate animals as large as elephants. In Pet's case, she was buried on Metro property out in Clackamas county.

It saddens my heart to know that we have lost our beloved Pet.
You see I grew up with Pet...coming to the zoo over the years.
When Pet arrived in 1962 I was only 4 years old...Oh how I loved to come see the elephants as well as all the animals.

And even after I grew up and moved away I still followed the stories of the Oregon zoo.
I would like to say thank you to all the staff at the Oregon zoo for not only the wonderful care and teaching of each animal but the love you have all given...THANK YOU.
Pet will forever be in my mind and my heart.
--Charlene F., Spokane, WA

To her keepers,
Your loss is our loss,
Pet was beloved, by all.
Our Heartfelt Sympathy is with all of you.
-- Nancy B., Aurora, OR

My fondest memories of being a volunteer at the Zoo will be working in the elephant barn and giving you a bath my sweet friend. I will miss your watchful eye taking care of the younger cows.
I love you and miss you my dear friend!
-- Marilyn, B., Portland, OR

To Mike, Tony and the entire Zoo Family,

Today, I have a hole in my heart where Pet used to reside.  What a lady!  My heartfelt feelings go out to all of you.

I worked with many of you from 1978 through 1981.  Mike Keele was then working with Head Elephant Keeper Roger Henneous.

I remember my first day on the job as Marketing and PR Director.  In meeting Roger and Mike, little did I know that my first test as to whether or not I would "fit in" would follow shortly. I was invited by Roger to meet "his girls."

Roger and Mike brought me into the front elephant yard and had Pet and one of her harem come over to welcome me.  Within moments, I had one trunk up my crotch and another one running through my hair and under my arms.  Soon I was covered in the wonderful baptism of elephant drool all over my suit! Ahhhh that great smell! My crowning moment was when Roger and Mike invited me to slap Pet's tongue...an experience that I will never forget and will always cherish.

Pet, thanks for the wonderful memories.

Sincerely,

Jack McGowan

Hillsboro, OR

I am so sorry for the loss of our beloved, Pet.  I am a lifelong Oregonian who raised money to keep Packy in Oregon when I was treasurer of my grade school.  Now at 56, I am a part-time tour guide and love telling stories of the zoo's great success with Asian elephants.  I was fortunate enough to travel to Africa with my family in November 2005.  When I said I wanted to see elephants, my sis-in-law commented that they weren't very interesting, but I claimed them as my "spirit" animal so she humored me while we searched for them.  After observing many herds and the amazing instincts and skills of the matriarchs in watching over a family group, as well as their playfulness and comraderie, my entire family became fans. Pet had a wonderful life in Oregon and we are honored that she shared so much with her fabulous staff and with zoo visitors.
-- Judy W., Portland, OR

Nowhere in your press release of August 2nd does it state that the other elephants were given time to view Pet's body and mourn their loss ... especially her daughter Sung-Surin.
-- Michael S., Adelphia, NJ

This is a response to the above inquiry.

Observations from Mike Keele, deputy director and former elephant keeper

Following Pet’s passing, the girls, Sung-Surin, Rose Tu and Chendra were given an opportunity to visit with her.

The following is my interpretation of what I observed.  This may differ from the interpretation of others who observed the same events.  The cows spent about 35 minutes with Pet before returning to the front exhibit room.

All three cows entered the room with Pet and began to touch her.  Within a couple of minutes, one of the cows chirped, which was followed by a roar and trumpet.  Rose Tu and Chendra seemed more interested than Pet’s daughter, Sung-Surin.  Sung-Surin touched and smelled different parts of Pet — her eye, her ears — then she left the room and turned around to face the room where Pet was.  It seemed like she was waiting for the other two cows to follow her out of the room.  When they didn’t, Sung-Surin returned and found some hay to eat.  She seemed interested in other novel places in the room. Chendra went back and forth, from Pet to other places of interest.  Once, she left and returned with a mouth full of hay and she stood in the room and finished it.

Rose Tu was the most tactile with Pet.  She smelled behind both of Pet’s ears as well as her trunk.  Rose has always found comfort with Pet’s tail where she grabs it with her trunk and then pulls in under her front leg — almost like a security blanket. She spent some time maneuvering Pet’s tail, never really able to put it under her front leg.  She also rubbed her body against Pet’s back side and, a couple of times, partly straddled her. As time progressed, both Sung-Surin and Chendra moved out of the room, leaving Rose Tu alone with Pet. Once, Rose started to slowly leave the room and as she walked away, she would slightly swing out her left rear toward Pet and look back.  She did this a couple of times before leaving the room. Then she turned around and faced the room where Pet was. It looked like she expected Pet to follow her. When that didn’t happen, she came back into the room.  She spent a little more time with Pet before joining the other cows.

There wasn’t a lot of vocalization — at least at a level that humans can hear.  One roar, one trumpet, a couple of chirps and some rumbling.  Occasionally, the cows would open their ears and face one another and touch one another’s trunks.  For the most part, it seemed peaceful and tranquil.  I wish I really knew what was happening…

Having had to euthanize my beloved horse that I had from the day he was born I understand the grief that the keepers are feeling. You know it was the best thing for her but it doesn't lessen your heart ache. Please post how the other elephants are handling this. What did they do while the procedure was happening? Did you allow them to watch or see her after she was gone? I would like to know. God bless all of His beloved creatures and the humans who care so lovingly for them.
-- Nancy R., Vancouver, WA

Mike Keele's observation

My condolences go to the keepers who loved and cared for Pet. As hard as it is to accept just remember she is free of pain now. I know it will be hard for you in the coming weeks and months.

Thank you for letting the girls go see her after she passed away.
Be sure to give them extra attention because I'm sure they will miss her immensely.
--Marcia N., Portland, OR

I am so saddened by the death of our beloved PET. She was the great and greatly loved, matriarch of our elephants. In reading the about the visitation of her "girls"
I am touched by their confusion, their loss and how they said their goodbyes. Goodby, dear PET. loved by so many for so long. My deepest sympathy to all who worked with her and to those who loved her for so any years. I will miss you, PET.

I will always remember how you outsmarted the researchers. Such a smart girl! And so loved by so many.

Goodbye, dear, dear PET.
-- Mary E., North Plains,OR.

We will miss Pet so very much! We always enjoyed coming back home and visiting not only the zoo but Pet and the other elephants. What a beautiful gift!

Many blessings to the great staff that loved and cared for her! We hold you and Pet in our hearts!

May your wonderful soul soar!
--Liz S., Chicago, IL

It was with great sadness that I learned of Pet's passing on Wenesday. I grew up seeing Pet, Packy being born and the others - so I feel close to these huge animals. It brought me to sobbing reading the article that detailed how the keepers and other elephants reacted to Pet's Passing. She was a grand old lady and now she is out of pain and at peace. I hope the keepers and staff are doing ok, I know it is hard for all of us.

God Bless you all.
--Mark H., Portland, OR

After reading Mike Keele's recollection of the girls visiting with Pet I was brought to tears. It reminded me of a special trip to the zoo where I witnessed Rose's affection for Pet with the tucking of Pet's tail under her front leg. This was the day the zoo let a few people in with the elephants to photograph them (behind the scenes?). Having been able to see all of the females up close and their affection for and frustration with each other I found myself at times just watching instead of photographing. They acted like a human family. There was the "the order sister" - Sung-Surin that tried to keep to her self, the "youngest sister" - Chendra who played around all of them in her own little world, and the "middle sister" and the "mom/matriarch" - Rose and Pet.

Rose started out eating with Chendra. Then Chendra wondered in a different direction leaving Rose alone to eat. Then Rose moved over to a spot right next to Pet and as Rose started to "share" Pet's hay, Pet used her trunk to take the hay away from Rose. She then pushed Rose's trunk up and away. Rose got the hint and walked to the back of Pet. That is when she took Pet's tail and tucked it up behind her front leg. I have seen Rose do this one other time but is was with Chendra by the water in the front yard. It was so endearing to see that kind affection from such a large animal.

I am so thankful that I got the opportunity to see Pet up close in the back yard area. I will cherish those memories and pictures forever!
--Jessica D., Grove, OR

My daughter is a volunteer at your zoo, and I could feel the sadness in her voice when she told me about Pet. Years back, a very special gorilla named Samson died..at the Milwaukee(WI) Zoo.It was a very sad time as he had been a patriarch at the zoo for a long time..Animals show unconditional love...and aren't we glad they do.

--Connie P., Sheboygan, WI

Dear Mike and all of Pet's keepers,

My heart aches with you at the loss of our beloved Pet. I was especially pleased and grateful that you gave the other cows the opportunity to spend time with Pet after she died. I think it was a thoughtful and tender response. Well done.
--Kathryn W., Portland, OR

I live in Ohio and I am friends with Tom and Gayle Nelson. They shared with me the story of Pet and her journey through life in Portland.

I just want to extend to all the staff and zoo visitors who had the opportunity to know her, that you are in my thoughts and prayers while you grieve her passing.

I can almost promise there is a Rainbow Bridge for her as well, just a bit stonger to hold all the love she takes with her from her years of being loved so much by so many.

Thank you Webbie for allowing me to live this experience through you. She has touched my heart by way of our friendship. My tears are for you, Gayle and those who feel the loss of Pet. I know you had a special few moments with her before her last walk and I think that was fate.
God Bless.
--J.C. C., Brecksville, OH

Martha Fischer advised me this morning of Pet's demise yesterday. I had the privilege of meeting her when I attended the EMA Conference last year. She caught my eye because I really could see the Thai in her and I loved the tales about her keepers and volunteers shared with me.

While we rejoice at the birth of our baby Asian elephant girl yesterday, my heart is also heavy with your loss. Each individual elephant is precious and I send you my sincere and deep sympathy.
--Linda R., St. Louis, MO

My heartfelt condolences to Pet's caretakers during this time of grief; a loss such as this is no different than the deeply felt loss of closest friend or family.

I saw Pet when I visited Rose Tu during the first week she was introduced to the world. What a treat that was!

Thank you for the compassionate work you do.
--Evelyn S., Portland, OR

Hi Pet,

I will miss you a whole lot. We all love you love

--Erica H., Portland, OR

Dear Pets keepers and the zoo staff,

I am so sorry to hear about your loss. Pet was and still is a beautiful elephant my family and I will always remember her. Thank you for all that you have done for Pet and all of the other wonderful animals. We love you Pet!
--Megan H., Portland, OR

Echoing the sentiments of so many others on this sad occasion, my heartfelt condolences to the elephant keeper staff and volunteers during this time of loss of your beloved Pet. Thank you for allowing us to share a small part of this experience with you. I hope you'll take comfort knowing that your final compassionate act, difficult though it was, to alleviate Pet's pain and discomfort was truly the kindest, most humane act of all. My feelings of sadness on this day are tempered by this knowledge. Fond memories and the passage of time will help ease some of the heartaches being felt by all of you now.
I'm uncertain what this vast universe holds for any of us after our time on this earth is over. Today, in my minds eye I'm picturing Pet standing tall and proud on four strong legs watching over a herd of her kids finally free from pain and the boundaries of her captivity she so graciously endured during her life here on earth.

Dear Pet, now that you are free to wander eternity may your watering holes always be full and your fields and forests plentiful. Be at peace.
--Bruce S., Vancouver, WA

I've been an OZ volunteer since 2002 and have many fond memories of Pet. A recent one is from the introductions between Tusko and the girls. Chendra would not behave as the other girls and Tusko tried to force her to submit. After he attempted to pin her down a couple times, and she escaped, I started noticing that Pet was strategically placing herself between Tusko and Chendra.

I said my goodbyes on Aug 1 and I have a picture of Shine's trunk wrapped around Pet's foreleg to keep as a memory to cherish.
--Jeanie K., Beaverton, OR

Pachyderm Extraordinare. Thank You.

Our thoughts are with you, Mike Keele, Zoo Staff and Pet's extended family all the way down to the smallest who know they have lost a special elephant. Be at peace.
--Therese C., Milwaukie, OR

I was at the Oregon Zoo in 2003 (and as a 2 year-old but I haven't any clear memories from then) and, as a Friends volunteer at Melbourne Zoo, was impressed with your elephants, particularly the training programs. One of the lovely keepers pointed out the elephants and told me their names. I remember Pet and I remember thinking how her eyes looked (at the risk of anthropomorphism) very kind and thoughtful. Maybe I was wrong and she had tantrums all the time; I don't know, but that day at that time, she made an impression.

All my sympathy and thoughts are with the keepers.
--Victoria D., Melbourne, Australia

Pet,

As I was working one day, I remember hearing one loud bang after another. The sound was almost deafening. I went up to a keeper and asked what that sound was. He told me that an elephant was banging against a two ton door. I walked up to the elephant enclosure where the cows were, and lo and behold, there was Pet banging against the door. I heard that wonderful sound for many mornings and now that sound is gone forever. I cry when I do not hear that sound because I know that it will never be there again, but I smile when I know that pet is smiling on us from the heavens above. Pet may have been the leader and guide for the elephant herd, but I suppose she banged on the door in order to be with her human family who she was secure with. May the keepers take pride in knowing that they not only loved Pet, but she loved them too, and has left a legacy of love behind that will always be in your hearts.
My eternal gratitude and love for all the keepers of the Oregon Zoo who give all the animals the best lives possible and make them feel safe and secure.
Love Always,
--Brigit S., Yacolt, WA

In the Fall of 1978, Warren Iliff, then OZ Director, gave me a private behind-the-scenes tour of the Elephant Barn.  It smelled like home to me and I thought "What a wonderful thing it would be to work here."

The experience prompted me to become a docent.  As a reward, we were given the opportunity to work for a day with the keepers in our favorite area.  I figured there would be a long line wanting to work with the elephants. There wasn't, and that quickly led to the best and most exciting day of my life to that point.

Because the Elephant Barn was short one regular keeper, I was lucky enough to be allowed to continue volunteering nearly every day for a long while thereafter.  And eventually I applied for and was hired as an official member of the Zoo's Keeper staff.

While awaiting the birth of OZ's next calf, I found some Thai-English dictionaries at Powell's Books so we could research ideas for ethnic names.  We looked up each elephant's name and discovered that, in Thai, Pet's name meant "diamond in the rough."  It was a very appropriate description of her!  Roger Henneous was Head Keeper then, and he used to remark that Pet was always checking the rules to make sure we hadn't changed them and not informed her!

Along with Roger, I worked with Mike Keele and Doug Groves.  The day Mike's first daughter was born, we wrote up her arrival in the Daily Keeper Report as though we'd had a new addition to the herd.  During this early time in the Barn, an elephant "crush" (a structure for safely restraining an elephant for vet care, etc.) as well as the new sand yard behind the building was being constructed.  Jim Riccio, the Project Manager, was just as thrilled as I was to see and greet all the elephants each day.  On Roger's days off, I was the "oldest critter (and person) in the barn," so now with the last of that original herd gone, I *really* feel old!

When the new pool was being poured, cement mixers would line up alongside the front yard and Pet flirted with each and every one.  Also, when a high school band arrived one day for a Packy birthday celebration, she proceeded to fling water at them as they tried to get off the bus resulting in a lot of laughter and wet musicians.

Dr. Michael Schmidt, the zoo's veterinarian at the time, was conducting an artificial insemination reseach program with Pet and Packy as the main participants.  Pet nearly always decorated the top of her head with hay and a fresh green lettuce leaf, resembling a lovely girl on her way to the Prom.

I was priviledged to be there when Thongtrii was born to Rosy in October 1978, and I'll always remember Pet as a terrific and protective Auntie to that amazing and inquisitive little fellow.

When I read that Pet had been suffering from arthritis, I thought of  Tuy Hoa, my personal favorite elephant, and her challenges with arthritis, too.  A special pair of leather "hiking" boots were made for her and many of the other zookeepers came down to "try them on and break them in" for her!  And also what a difficult time we had getting Tuy Hoa to take several large boluses of aspirin every day to ease her pain.  We tried hiding them crushed up in grain, and then chocolate and caramel sauces from the Commissary.  She was always very suspicious of anything new we encouraged her to try.  Having read Mike's story of Pet and her fondness for  sugar cubes, I hope she was more cooperative and enthusiastic if she was also treated with this remedy.

It was touching to read the description of the younger elephants saying goodbye to Pet.  I feel this is an important opportunity for any animal, so they don't think their friends have just disappeared without a trace.  Many years ago, after seeing a documentary on elephants and reading about this process in one of Dr. James Herriott's books, we began doing this with our pets as well.  African elephants are known for their interest and tenderness in handling the bones of dead elephants when they come across them in the wild.  I assume it must be the same for Asian elephants too.  It's very comforting to know that Pet's gentle spirit has rejoined those of the rest of her herd in the Great Beyond.

I have so many fond memories of the Elephant Barn, the keepers and the herd when I was there.  Those three years went by far too quickly and I still share stories of the time I spent with Rosy, Pet, Belle, Tuy Hoa, MeTu, Hanako, Susie, Tamba, Packy, Tunga, Hugo, Khun Chorn and Thongtrii.  Those days were, and still are, among the best days of my life.

I send hellos, hugs and much love to all my friends who are still at The Oregon Zoo!
--Diana (B.) E., Sacramento, CA