Our Knutstory started in January, 2007. On the 27.1.2007 I sent an email to my husband with the link to an article about Knut. Since this day we have followed the life of Knut. We have always been interested in animals. However, we have never seen a polar bear’s baby. The first videos were very interesting, the baby weighed about 800 g, but the voice was great. At that time I have thought that our cat weighs 6 kg and shouts very loudly if he is hungry. However, one cannot compare his voice to the voice of Knut. The small Knut is unambiguously a bear. I have looked every day after the news and have informed my family of everything. On this way I found the RBB-Blog. First I have thought, a Blog is something stupid, but I read, nevertheless, in the Blog.

Wir haben 2006 intensiv mit dem Laufen angefangen. Deshalb haben wir uns für den Halbmarathon in Berlin am 1.4.2007 angemeldet. Diese Entscheidung erwies sich als sehr gut. Wir kamen am 31.3.2007 nach Berlin und gingen in den Zoo um Knut zu sehen. Es gab damals die Shows, aber es gab noch keine Sicherheitsleute. Die Zuschauer standen einfach vor dem Gehege. Es waren sehr viele Leute da, aber wir fanden doch die Möglichkeit, Knut,Thomas Dörflein und Markus Röbke zu sehen.

In 2006 we started intensely to run. On the 1.4.2007 we have enrolled ourselves to the half marathon in Berlin. This decision turned out to be a very good one. We came on the 31.3.2007 to Berlin and went straight in the zoo to see Knut. At that time there were the shows, but still there were no security people. The visitors stood simply at the enclosure. There were a lot of people there, but, nevertheless, we found the possibility to see Knut, Thomas Dörflein and Markus Röbke.

Am Tag nach dem Halbmarathon fuhren meine Tochter und ich in den Zoo. Wir standen an der Ecke und haben Knut und Thomas Dörflein wortwörtlich durch die Blumen gesehen.

The next day after the half marathon my daughter and I went to the zoo. We stood at the corner and saw Knut and Thomas Dörflein literally through the flowers.

Nach diesem Besuch fing ich an, im Blog zu schreiben.

Im Sommer 2007 waren wir mehrmals in Berlin und besuchten jedes Mal Knut.

After this visit I started to write in the Blog.

In summer 2007 we were several timed in Berlin and every time visited Knut.

16.5.2007

x

19.6.2007

4.8.2007

Wir haben uns über den Tierschützer aufgeregt, der die Einschläferung von Knut forderte. Wir haben uns gesorgt, als die Shows abgebrochen wurden wegen den neuen Zähnen von Knut.

Knut ist ein Teil meines Lebens geworden. Ich habe jeden Abend nach den neuen Bildern geschaut und alles meiner Familie gezeigt. Manchmal wollten mein Mann und unsere Tochter nichts mehr von Knut hören. Die Söhne hat das alles nicht interessiert. Sie lachten nur.

We have got angry about this animal welfarist who demanded to euthanize Knut. We have worried when the shows were canceled because of the problems with Knut’s teeth.

Knut has become a part of my life. I have looked every evening after the new pictures and have shown everything to my family. My husband and the daughter sometimes did not want to hear about Knut any more. The sons were not interested at all. They only laughed.

Dann kam der erste Geburtstag. Wir hatten im Blog ein Treffen im Zoorestaurant vereinbart. Dort wurden die Knutschals verteilt. Es war ein sehr aufregender Tag. Wir hatten auch einen Jutesack für Knut mitgebracht.

Then there came the first birthday. In the Blog we had agreed on a meeting in the zoo restaurant. The Knut scarves were distributed. It was a very thrilling day. We had brought a jute bag for Knut with us.

Am Nachmittag stand Herr Dörflein neben dem Souvenirladen und schrieb Autogramme.

In the afternoon Mr. Dörflein stood beside the souvenir store and signed autographs.

Wir besuchten Knut auch 2008 immer wieder. Ich las im Blog und schrieb auch regelmaßig. Ich sorgte mich um Knut und freute mich mit ihm. Knut wuchs und entwickelte sich gut. Am 6.9.2008 sahen wir Thomas Dörflein zum letzten Mal.

We also visited Knut in 2008. I read and wrote in the Blog. I worried about Knut and was happy for him. Knut grew and developed well. We saw Thomas Dörflein for the last time on the 6.9.2008.

An diesem Tag hatten wir einen Kürbis für Knut mitgebracht.

This day we had brought a pumpkin for Knut.

Am 22.9.2008 las ich die Nachricht über Herr Dörfleins Tod in den Nachrichten. Mein Mann sagte erst:“Guck schnell in den Blog, das ist bestimmt ein blöder Scherz“. Leider war das kein Scherz. Es hat mich sehr getroffen. Wir sprachen mit Thomas Dörflein am 6.9.2008 und er war gut gelaunt und nicht kränklich. Das war sehr traurig, aber es gab Knut.

Im September 2009 kam Giovanna zu Knut. Wir waren zu dieser Zeit im Urlaub auf Teneriffa. Abends ging ich immer ins Internetcafe um nach den Neuigkeiten zu sehen. Der Anfang war sehr schwer für Knut. Giovanna war dominant und energisch. Es kamen dann aber auch bessere Zeiten. Knut und Giovanna fingen an, zusammen zu spielen. Sie fraßen trotzdem getrennt voneinander. Giovanna war schneller. So kam es auch, dass sie am dritten Geburtstag Knuts Eisbombe auffraß.

Am 6.12.2009 spielten Knut und Giovanna zusammen mit einem Brett:

On the 22.8.2008 I read the news about Mr. Dörflein death in the news. My husband said only: “Look quickly in the Blog, this is certainly a stupid joke“. Unfortunately, this was no joke. It has struck me very hard. We spoke with Thomas Dörflein on the 6.9.2008 and he was in a good mood and did not look unhealthy. This was very sad, but still there was Knut.

In September, 2009 Giovanna came to Knut. We were at this time on vacation on Tenerife. In the evening I always went to an internet cafe to look after the news. The beginning was very difficult for Knut. Giovanna was dominant and vigorous. But then better times came. Knut and Giovanna started to play together. Nevertheless, they ate apart from each other. Giovanna was quicker. Thus it happened, that on the third birthday she finished with Knuts ice bomb.

On the 6.12.2009 Knut and Giovanna played together with a board.

Als Giovanna zu Knut kam, fiel uns auf wie schön ihr Fell war. Dagegen sah Knuts Fell gar nicht gut aus.

Im Sommer 2010 ging Giovanna nach München zurück. Knut blieb allein, aber er fühlte sich wohl. Er fing wieder an, mit den Besuchern Ball zu spielen. Ich hatte auch einmal die Möglichkeit, ihm den Ball zurück zu werfen.

As Giovanna came to Knut, we noticed how nice her fur was. In contrast Knuts fur looked not good.

In summer, 2010 Giovanna left to Munich. Knut remained alone, but he felt fine. He resumed to play ball with the visitors. I also got the possibility to throw the ball back to him.

Dann kam der schreckliche Moment für mich, als Knut auf die große Anlage zu Tosca, Nancy und Katjuscha kam. Für den Umzug wurde Knut unter Narkose gesetzt. Der Tierarzt teilte mit, dass Knut gesund sei. Leider war Knut sehr dünn, sein Fell sah schlecht aus und seine Krallen waren sehr lang. Wir haben uns um Knut gesorgt. Unsere Familie hat die Petition unterschrieben. Es half leider nichts, Knut blieb auf der großen Anlage. In meinen Augen hat er aus der Situation das Beste gemacht. Er kämpfte um „Anerkennung“ und freundete sich erst mit Tosca und später mit Nancy an.

Knut hatte einen schönen 4.Geburtstag.

Then came the awful moment for me when Knut moved into the big enclosure to Tosca, Nancy and Katjuscha. For the move Knut was put under anaesthetic. The veterinarian informed us that Knut was healthy. Unfortunately, Knut looked thin, his fur looked bad and his claws were very long. We were worried about Knut. Our family has signed the petition. Unfortunately, it did not help, Knut remained in the big enclosure. In my eyes he has made the best from the situation. He fought for the “recognition” and he made friends first with Tosca and later with Nancy.

Knut has had a nice 4th birthday.

Zum letzten Mal haben wir Knut am 20.1.2011 gesehen. Er spielte im Wasser und er hattte etwas zugenommen. Wir waren voller Hoffnung, dass er bis zum Sommer auch von Katjuscha akzeptiert werden würde.

For the last time we have seen Knut on the 20.1.2011. He played in the water and he had gained weight a bit. We were full of hope that until summer he would be also be accepted by Katjuscha.

Am 19.3.2011 ist diese Hoffnung gestorben.

Knut hat uns mit vielen Tierfreunden zusammen gebracht. Durch die Blogs habe ich mehrere Freunde auch in den USA und Kanada gefunden. Ich liebe unsere Treffen in Berlin oder in Wuppertal. Knut lebt weiter in meinem Herz. Es macht mich sehr traurig, dass er nicht mehr da ist.

On 19.3.2011 this hope died.

Knut has brought us together with many animal friends. Through the blogs I have found several friends even in the USA and Canada. I love our meetings in Berlin or in Wuppertal. Knut lives in my heart. It makes me very sad that he is not here any more.

As you all remember our Knuti loved the plants and the green grass in his enclosure. He hadn’t so many toys, he hadn’t a playmate but he wasn’t alone….. When I look at these lovely photos by LeenaP I’m sure he considered the green grass as his friend.

In some pictures it looks like he was ‘talking’ to them, in some others like he was ‘listening’ to them. Every now and then he looked at the visitors as though he wanted to say: ‘Watch and learn’. Now afterwards I understand what he meant. He wanted us to take time to enjoy the nature – the green grass, the flying butterflies and bees, the scent of beautiful flowers, the birds’ singing…..

Let’s remember even this message from our beloved bear!

In these photos we can see our Knuti very white and fluffy. No wonder we used to call him His Royal Fluffiness….

The photos were taken on March 15th, 2008.

These photos are from 2008, 2009 and 2010. What a lovely, innovative bear he was……

The whole album

Gudrun wrote this poem on the 19th of February 2012.

11 Monate sind bereits vergangen,
nachdem Knut von uns ist gegangen.

Noch heute kann man es nicht fassen,
die Erinnerung kann man nicht lassen.

Wie oft steht man am Gehege,
in Gedanken geht man eigene Wege.

Knut ist allgegenwärtig und man blickt zurück,
die schönen Zeiten kommen nicht zurück.

Ein Vergessen gibt es nicht,
Knut bleibt im Herzen, das ist wichtig.

In English:

11 months have gone by
that Knut has left us.

Even by now you cannot comprehend
And memory just works without end

How often are we at the enclosure
And our thoughts take turns of its own.

Knut is ever so present and you look back
The good times however, they don’t come back.

Forgetting him is just impossible
Knut remains in our hearts – and that’s what counts.

I still remember this visit by Knut very well. He was totally relaxed and it was such fun to follow his yoga program. After having done all the exercise Knut seemed to say: ‘Now that I’ve been entertaining you it’s your turn to entertain me’. Unfortunately my lunch break was over and I had to leave. I hope Knuti understood…..

 The whole album

In these lovely Winter photos we can see the charm of our beloved Knuti. His beautiful face, sweet paws, cute ears and the most wonderful ‘lakritznase’. But Knuti’s charm wasn’t just his good looks – no, it was his ‘knutish’ behaviour that made us love him so much.

 Dear bear angel Knut, thank you for leaving us these unforgettable memories!

When I woke up this morning and looked out I saw snow flakes dancing in the air. They made me think of our beautiful white bear boy Knuti and remember how much he enjoyed the snow – especially when Giovanna was there to fool around with him.

When I started to look for Winter photos of Knuti I found these wonderful pictures by LeenaP and, of course, I want to share them with you. Even though watching photos of our sweet bear makes us sad they also make us smile…. and happy because we had the privilege to know him!

The photos of Knut and Giovanna were taken on January 24th, 2010

More Photos

Dear Knuti, ten months have gone since you had to leave us. Ten months of disbelief, ten months of sadness….. We all miss you so! We know that you are our guardian angel now but oh, how we would like to have you here with us.

Thank you, dear bear boy, for all the lovely memories!

These lovely photos of our Knuti were taken exactly a year ago. How is it possible that this lovely bear would have to leave us so soon after this day? He looks so beautiful and I can see no signs of him being ill…… I never stop asking, I never stop wondering, I never stop missing him so much….. Mervi