On August 25, 2014, after years of treating and hoping, watching and waiting, I lost my beloved Serval, Zohari. The condition that ultimately took his life was a chronic and insidious one that required constant research, nursing, and crisis management. He had a congenital left ventricular septal defect, with micro valve regurgitation (born with a defective heart). The last years of care were both labor- and cash-intensive, requiring me to hover around him in an effort to meet his every need. Monday, my Zohari left this earth, and I am left with a feeling so empty it defies description. I am aimless and drifting without my Zohari. He gave me a much higher understanding of the word “commitment.” My love for him is the most intense of any previously, and again defies description. He gave me more love than I have ever experienced in my life.

This memorial website was created to celebrate the life of, and preserve my recollections of ZOHARI. Zohari was born on Monday, November 4, 2002, and left this world on Monday, August 25, 2014 at the age of 11, almost 12. He was determined to use his "spiritual heart" to over come his defective physical heart. I believe his spiritual heart, and our love for each other, kept his physical heart beating. Zohari was always happy, had the sweetest temperament, and strong constitution.
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November 4th, 2014: HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY BABY DARLING! This your 12th Birthday, Zohari - this year celebrated in heaven. How I miss you, how I love you! How sorry I am that your life was marred and cut short by your defective heart.
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This video was taken on his 11th birthday, 11/4/13
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__lcXv-py9s&feature=player
~~ We have this moment to hold in our hand,
~~ And to touch as it slips through our fingers like sand.
~~Yesterday's gone and tomorrow may never come.
~~ But we have this moment today. ~~
When Zohari was real sick after his stroke, in July 2013, we developed a way I could bathe his face, ears and chin for him, when he was too week. Since then we often did this ritual. This video was taken on November 4, 2013, his 11th birthday. I was very blessed to find it in my videos and photos as I was uploading for his memorial website. We continued doing this, and quite a lot during the last weeks & days we had together. He licks my hand and I stroke his head with it, over and over, till he has a nice bath.

~~The measure of love is what you are willing to give up for it.~~

Four Paws In Heaven
Your favorite chair is vacant now, no eager purr to greet me, No softly padded paws to run ecstatically to meet me. No coaxing rubs, no plaintive "chirp" will say it's time for feeding. I've put away your bowl and all the things you won't be needing. But I will miss you little friend, for I could never measure The happiness you brought me, the comfort and the pleasure. And since God put you here to share In earthly joy and sorrow, I'm sure there'll be a place for you In heavens bright tomorrow!

So this is where we part, My Friend,
and you'll run on, around the bend,
gone from sight, but not from mind,
new pleasures there you'll surely find.

I will go on, I'll find the strength,
life measures quality, not its length.
One long embrace before you leave,
share one last look, before I grieve.

There were others, that much is true,
but they be they, and they aren't you.
And I, fair, impartial, or so I thought,
will remember well all you've taught.

Your place I'll hold, you will be missed,
the fur I stroked, the nose I kissed.
And as you journey to your final rest,
take with you this...I loved you best.

My version of 2 Samual 12:3
She raised him, and he grew up with her. He shared her food, drank from her cup and even slept in her arms. He was like a son to her.

(will write more later & add more photos later).
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To answer some questions that have been brought up, here is a website address and an excerpt on Domesticated Servals.

http://www.domesticatedservals.com/
The domesticated Serval is different than the Servals living in the wild in Africa. Even though these cats have the same DNA and look the same there are some differences. The Domesticated Serval cats have been domestically bred in captivity for multiple generations going back to the 1960's or even earlier. None of the cats you see in homes today were taken out of the wild. They have all been hand raised for years in loving homes. They make extraordinary companions to their pet owners. It does take a special animal person to own one of these animals but once you bond with one, they are your friend for life unconditionally.

In captivity, Serval's do very well, being one of the most commonly kept African feline species. The servals are a medium sized African species averaging 20-30 pounds and standing 15-25 inches at the shoulder.