u/BeeBarnes1

Post your favorite photos, stories, or random little moments. Let’s make a thread full of the good stuff today.

Today we say goodbye to our fierce queen.

First and foremost, thank you to the incredible veterinarians and staff at Ojai Raptor Center who cared for Jackie with such dedication and compassion. And an enormous thank you to Friends of Big Bear Valley, who have documented and shared Jackie’s life with the world for so many years. We will always be grateful to you.

For so many of us, Jackie has become a fixture in our homes every year starting around January when the vigil begins. We've watched her peer down when those little cracks start appearing. We've watched her lying for days covered in snow. We've watched her feed and nurture her hatchlings and we've had the absolute privilege of witnessing the culmination of her hard work when her fledglings took their first flights.

Jackie leaves behind a legacy that stretches far beyond her nest. Stormy, Simba, Spirit, Sunny, Gizmo, Sandy, and Luna have carried her story forward into the world. Cookie, BBB, and Misty were also part of her story, however briefly. Every one of them is part of Jackie's remarkable legacy.

And then there is Shadow.

For eight years, these two built a life together that captivated us. Shadow was her partner, her constant, and often, the patient recipient of her very strong-willed opinions. We will always cherish the life he and Jackie built together. Whatever comes next for Shadow, we look forward to witnessing his next chapter.

And finally, this subreddit is not going anywhere. Jackie and Shadow's nest is a part of them. We will be here to celebrate whatever comes next.

There will never be another Jackie but there will always be a place here for her.

Fly free, Jackie. You were loved by more people than you could ever have known.

Today's update about Jackie was really hard to hear. We know how deeply this community loves her and we desperately hope she pulls through. 

That said, we've seen comments suggesting different ways of caring for Jackie. This is not okay. Her caregivers have the full picture of her very complex case, we do not. Therefore, unless you are a veterinarian or staff member directly involved in Jackie’s care, please don't comment about how she should be treated, whether she should be released, or what you think they could be doing differently. 

It has always been this sub's stance that we trust the eagles. We also trust the veterinarians and staff at Ojai Raptor Center. 

As always, please be kind to each other, especially during this difficult time. We are all stressed about Jackie, please don't take your frustrations out on your fellow members. We need to pull together and support each other.