31.12.2024 by Mervi
I had hoped I could begin this new year article with the words ‘The war is over in Ukraine’ but unfortunately my wish didn’t come true. The current situation in the whole world isn’t looking good so it’s hard to be optimistic but we must try anyway!
Smetanka is still hoping …
Despite the dark clouds in our sky I don’t want to publish a dull and dark article so I’ve illustrated it with bright collages.
It’s not easy to keep an optimistic mind when the world situation is awful and the destiny of the whole planet is going to be a catastrophe if the people keep closing their eyes and minds!
However, loosing our optimism and faith is no good! We must concentrate on doing what we can to make things better. For me personally the world of animals – both the real one and the phantasy world – are good ways to keep up the optimistic spirits. This magazine is a humble effort to make the readers feel the same.
Just like all years the year 2024 has been filled with both sad and happy moments.
Our cat Nalle’s passing was the saddest thing for me in 2024. I hope our sweetie is now happily playing with Miffe in the cat heaven. Vesa, Mimmi and I miss him so much.
Even Wilbär crossed the Rainbow Bridge which was a big loss for me and for us all. Now he’s walking on the eternal ice.
I met Wilbär several times in Orsa. The first time was just a few days after his arrival from Wilhelma. I remember so well when I called him in German and believe it or not – he came very close to the fence. I’m sure he understood me!
Of course, we miss even other animal friends that have left us during this year.
There were some good and happy news, too. Only one polar bear cub was born in Europe last season so little Otis is a real treasure for us.
We also know now that the animals from Orsa have found new homes and they’re all doing fine. In this magazine you can find several reports from Berlin (brown bears), from Peak Wildlife Park and Jimmy’s Farm in England (both with polar bears).
Great Britain is nowadays a real polar bear kingdom but to my great disappointment there’s only one polar bear in Finland – Venus in Ranua. However, the polar bear enclosures are having a ‘face lift’ so I hope she will have a companion soon. In Sweden there are no polar bears – what a shame!!
I can’t count on everything that happened during the year here but there are lots of articles in this magazine telling you the stories.
Finally I want to thank all readers of Knuti’s Magazine for being faithful visitors here. Naturally, I also want to thank all the eminent reporters and photographers. Without their generousity it wouldn’t be possible for me to run this magazine!
THANK YOU ALL!
I wish everybear and everybody a HAPPY NEW YEAR 2025! May this year be better than the last year!
Hello January
May the next year be a year of peace!
Smetanka
Dear Mervi,
despite the many bad and sad events of the past year, of course not everything was bad, as you are fortunately able to point out here.
The painful losses remain, but we must not lose hope for a more peaceful 2025. And that is also shown by your lovely collages with our favourite bears.
The sudden death of Wilbär was particularly poignant for me because Wilbär had a special life story with his move to Orsa at the time, which was the envy of all bears. After the park was closed, he came to the Netherlands, where he settled in perfectly and then sadly died at the young age of just 16 following an operation.
I am very surprised that Venus is all alone in Finland. We have several male bears in England who are certainly longing for a partner in their bachelor flat and are of ‘good lineage’ in order to be able to reproduce, if Venus is not already too old for love affairs….
Well then, let’s remain hopeful and welcome 2025 tonight with our best wishes for ALL OF YOU!
Dear Mervi!
This year was not nice. We can only hope that the next year will bring more happiness in the world.
Happy New Year, dear friends!
Hugs
Ludmila
Dear Mervi!
Thank you for your New Year’s wishes and greetings and the wonderful winter collages!
No, we won’t miss the old year, but will the new one be so much better? But it comes as it comes and a little optimism and hope can’t hurt in any case… You’re absolutely right: ‘We must concentrate on doing what we can to make things better.’
I wish you, Vesa and Mimmi a wonderful New Year’s Eve and a good start to the New Year! I wish the same to everyone reading here, as well as health, happiness and contentment! Have a great party and take care of yourselves!
Hugs
Anke
Liebe Mervi, Du sprichst mir aus dem Herzen ❣
Ich danke Dir und allen, die mit Dir zusammen diesen Blog gestalten,für die Wegbegleitung durch das Jahr 2024, das nun zuende…
Mögen sich die guten Wünsche für das neue Jahr 2025 erfüllen, zum Wohle für Mensch und Tier und den Planeten Erde..💝🌠
Liebe Grüße und alles GUTE, Mirjam
dear Mervi,
thank you so much for your greetings and wonderful collages. We cannot forget our beloved animals, they are for ever in our hearts
I wish you and Vesa and Mimmi a good year 2025
dear greetings to you and also to all the dear friends who read here
Filomena