This is the story of the final days with Windwalker, who lived at Earthfire Institute Wildlife Sanctuary & Retreat Center.
Windwalker is a cougar who came into what appeared to be a spiritual state of beauty and gentleness as he reached a ripe old age. In his book Alzheimer’s Isn’t What You Think It Is, Elmer Green describes how statements of great spiritual wisdom came through his wife even as Alzheimer’s destroyed her physical brain and left her unable to speak for months. It was as if she were occupying two worlds at once, bringing glimpses from beyond. Perhaps as age weakens the grip of biological forces on the brain, a similar thing happens with all old creatures—humans and animals—allowing a connection with the larger life forces to blossom.
As he neared the end of his days, he became more and more connected to humans and was a powerful force in the retreats. At 13 years of age, the vets said he would soon pass away from from congestive heart failure, but he so wanted to teach about cougars and the possibilities for a better human-wildlife connection, that he stayed, against all odds, for another whole year. He passed away just after finishing the last retreat of 2011, where several people had flown in just to see him one more time.
Thanks to Rose De Dan for footage from her Walk on the Wild Side retreat, in September 2011 and to Chris Ahrens and Adam Lamar for their original music.
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Sweet and Wise Windwalker
Dear Friends
A Long Tail from Earthfire
I had the sadness but much pleasure to spend the last few hours with our friend. He left with happiness and hope for his kind, our own and all species, for all>
This year will be my second visit to Earthfire Institute, and while there are many good friends there, I am especially looking forward to spending more time with Windwalker the cougar.
Windwalker has a powerful presence and a great heart that>
For those of you who never had the chance to hear a cougar purr. . . here is the sound of a happy cougar. Jean put the tape recorder right up against Windwalker as he held and petted him. We>
I don’t know if anything can look as miserable as a miserable cat. Not miserable for any actual suffering – but just because it is being asked to do something it does not want to do.
After years of planning and fundraising>
Earthfire Institute is a place to experience the profound connection between all life. 
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I am not sure I have ever seen anything more touching that Jean and Windwalker being with each other. Thanks for sharing this.
Comment by Terri H — March 5, 2012 @ 1:15 am
[...] can view the video on their website in the “Meet the animals” section. They also have a video entry about the mission of the institute in a contest on [...]
Pingback by Farewell Windalker « (?°?°??? ??z?? — March 9, 2012 @ 5:20 am
hey guys, sorry to hear about the Windwalker. I’m wondering if that is the same cougar I met so many years ago? sounds like he went peacefully.
Comment by Rochelle — March 16, 2012 @ 7:30 pm
This video breaks my heart, and uplifts it, too. So sad to witness the parting of such dear friends, and so wonderful that this friendship was, and was shared with all of us, too.
Jean, I share in your grief at losing Windwalker. I know his love profoundly changed you, and he is happy for all that you do in the cause of helping bridge humanity with all other species. We cannot help but be changed, too, by sharing in these moments, and hearing for ourselves what the animals have to say.
Thank you so much for sharing these private moments with us, which I am sure was hard to do. Windwalker was such a bright and powerful being. His spirit comes through in the sound of his purr, and the loving energy is palpable in the video. Though I didn’t get a chance to meet him in person, I feel glad to have shared in his life through the message of Earthfire. I am sure you have made him so proud.
Comment by Blaze — March 16, 2012 @ 10:56 pm
I too have a profound (spiritual) relationship to Cougar. She came to me in a Vision Quest many years ago but that is not really why I leave a comment here. To walk this Earth with a “Soulmate” in Animal form is a most treasured gift. Windwalker was such a one for Jean as was my Wolf Phoenix, for me. Their spirits call out to, touch and teach many, many souls. After Phoenix died, I spent time at a Wolfdog Sanctuary in the US and returned home to Canada with a mini cat I adopted while there. She came into my life unexpectedly to help me stabilize after the loss of my four-legged soulmate. She jumped into my lap as I was crying and watching this video to offer me comfort and remind me of the work I strive to carry on, in honor of Phoenix teachings and memory. I know I have been blessed to experience a great love and I wouldn’t trade any of it for the world. This video is a testament to the power of love bridging incredible differences between species.
Comment by Sonara — March 17, 2012 @ 1:01 pm
How incredibly sweet to experience a relationship such as this beautiful one with Windwalker. My heart just swelled when I saw him licking your arm and leaning his body against yours. Farewell wild spirit! May you continue to walk the heavens with grace.
Comment by Nicola Karesh — March 18, 2012 @ 12:07 am
I’ll look for that new star in the sky and listen for Windwalker’s voice and purr in the winds. The Puma/Cougar is my spirit animal.
Comment by Jessica — May 11, 2012 @ 7:14 pm