Thomas Doerflein, the best friend a bear could have
Writing for this website is a true joy. Usually. But, along with writing about great animal-related events comes the responsibiity of covering the tragedies. With over 14,000 site views, it is my sad duty to report that Knut’s loving keeper has died.
No one knows the cause of death yet and we should all just take time to mourn and remember. And we can’t blame Knut-it’s highly unlikely he had anything to do with it and he’s mourning too.
RIP Doerflein.
We should have more people like you in this world.
Rest In Peace
From Italy
Beloved Mr. Doerflein was a joy and brought much happiness into all of his fans’ lives. Precious Knut will surely miss his Daddy. According to the article in http://www.bild.de/BILD/news he took the day off and stopped by a friend’s house, when suddenly he grabbed his throat and chest. Paramedics worked for 90 minutes in an attempt to save his life, to no avail, as reported by BILD. Thanks to precious Knut and now Flocke, I have become an avid bear fan. Since I have no business sense nor ambition, I have offered my art for fund raising earlier this year on WEBSHOTS (karenvstefanini) for environmental groups, especially bears in Knut’s honor. Mr. Doerflein’s passing has broken many hearts, especially Knut’s, as he will be lost without his playtime with Daddy when Mr. Doerflein tossed toys, balls and held branches over the moat for Knut to “cavort” with.
All polar bears weep today for a forever friend.
From Memphis, TN
USA
God bless Herr Doerfein and his invaluable work with Knut. May this work help us save out world so that there be more ‘Knuts”.
Evidently precious Knut’s beloved Mr. Doerflein’s sudden death was caused by a sudden massive heart attack due to a major coronary event to paraphrase what I remember reading in one of my Knut Google Alerts that I receive. What is so sad is that one of my Google Thomas Doerflein alerts reported that his son auctioned off his personal belongings stating it was to raise money for a gravestone, as his mom wants a statue of Knut and a wolf also as Mr. Doerflein was a wolf keeper as well erected over his grave. If they have an official collection website, I as would countless others, be willing to donate.
Submitted by Karen V. Stefanini, Beautiful Back Bay, Boston, MA
Of course, we would all donate, no question about that. Unfortunately, I do not believe the son, who is a rapper and has suggested on public record that he was jealous of Knut, had any intention of using the money for funeral statuary. What a tragedy, the car was taken from Thomas Doerflein’s partner, leaving her and her son without an automobile, it and Thomas’s personal belongings were sold on eBay and I would bet my own money that the money was diverted to a rapper’s band for some teenage hangout in Berlin. If Thomas Doerflein’s mother had made these statements about caring for the cemetery I would trust them. I do not trust the 18 year old boy after seeing his TV interview.
I’m sure I’m not in the minority by any means, but I do intend to improve. I suppose my main problem is that I find large numbers of comments overwhelming, I can honestly say that I’ve skipped reading entries at friends’ blogs, just because there’s already ninety comments on it, and I a) don’t want to get lost in the shuffle, or worse b) don’t want to be obligated to spew out forty comments of my own.
Berlin is just one of those cities that you need to visit over and over again. So much to see, I have been there now once for 5 days in total and still I want to go back. Nightlife is fantastic so many sights to visit and read about. Just like Berlin in the spring.