Farewell Windalker

A while back I was asked by a friend if I wanted to collaborate on some music for a short video about a mountain lion. I’m not gonna lie. It’s a sad video. But that afternoon began what turned into the soon-to-be-released project I’m currently working with my fellow collaborator Chris Ahrens.

Windwalker was a 14-year-old cougar at The Earthfire Institute Wildlife Sanctuary and Retreat. Veterinarians claimed his congestive heart failure had developed to such a state that the then-13-year-old big cat wouldn’t be around much longer. But according to Wildlife expert and Earthfire Institute co-founder Jean Simpson, Windwalker knew people were coming to see him, so he held on until after the last retreat of 2011. Watching Simpson sit with the big cat in his arms is heartwrenching and surreal.

You 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 Techsoup.com. It features another song by Chris. So go give them a vote, and stop by their Youtube channel to click the “like” button on “Farewell, Windwalker.” You can follow the Earthfire Institute on Twitter — @earthfireinst.