When Marilyn and Aleksandr Dmitrier saw a sick puma at the Saransk Zoo in Penza, Russia, they felt compelled to rescue him.
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The 8-month-old puma was part of a litter of 3 cubs born at the zoo. He had been experiencing health issues since he was 3 months old. The Dmitriers had always wished to have a large feline as a pet, and they felt a strong desire to assist him.
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The couple didn’t make their decision lightly and for several days pondered over the ethics of owning an exotic pet, such as a big cat, and allowing it to reside in their home. Eventually, they wanted to rescue the puma and devised a plan and reached out to the zoo to discuss the possibility of buying the cat.
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Surprisingly, the zoo agreed to their proposal and they negotiated the purchase of the puma. The Dmitriers named the sickly cub Messi, after the world-renowned soccer player, and provided him with all the medical care and attention he needed to regain his strength in his new home.
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Up until then, Messi had lived a very sedentary life, so his new owners started taking him on two walks a day. His owners found that in this regard, the cat was much like a dog.
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They also found a dog obedience school that was willing to accept Messi as a student. He was enrolled and started his training. Currently, he knows 10 different commands. One can only imagine what the other dogs thought of the puma in their class.
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Messi’s owners describe him as a gentle and well-behaved creature. Although they acknowledge the risks associated with owning a large, wild animal, they say that he is a friendly member of their family who interacts well with people. They note that in many respects, he resembles a regular cat, albeit on a much larger scale.
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Messi’s owners are committed to keeping him safe and healthy and understand that he can never be released back into the wild. As an adult, pumas can reach heights of 2 to 3 feet and weigh between 120 to 220 pounds.
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Please share Messi’s story with your family and friends.