July 10th is Caplin Day, also known as Capybara Appreciation Day. We celebrate this day in honor of Caplin Rous (2007/02/10 – 2011/01/03) . He would have been seven this year. This year we are also celebrating the life of my beloved Garibaldi Rous (2010/03/11 – 2014/02/16).
Me and Gari shortly after I came home from the hospital
It is an especially hard year for me. When I became disabled due to a massive brain hemorrhage in October, the one thing that sustained me was that I would be able to spend more time with Gari. After a month in the hospital, I came home. Garibaldi spent the first two days constantly at my side, though all I did was sleep. He lay beside me the whole time, asking to be scratched but settling for a gentle hand on his side. I cannot tell you how much that helped. Because my vision was (and is) so bad, it meant the world to me to feel his coarse fur and quiet breathing.
Me with Caplin Rous
Of course, I will always remember Caplin Rous, who was my first love. He captured my heart when he was just a baby and held it tight. He also seems to have convinced the internet that capybaras wear bandanas. I think that is only fair.
Gari swimming
Gari, on the other hand, tried his best to convince the world that capybaras are the clowns of the rodent world.
What they both taught me is that capybaras are individuals. They each have a unique and wonderful personality. I’m not sure Gari’s would have been conducive to survival in the wild though. Maybe the jaguars would be too stunned to attack?
Caplin & Garibaldi
This year, to celebrate Caplin Day, you can eat a popsicle or yogurt in Caplin’s memory. Or you can roll around in the pool like Garibaldi. Or you can make a small donation to the ROUS Foundation for Capybara Veterinary Medicine so that we can continue our work to understand what it takes to ensure that captive capybaras lead long, happy lives.
what a sweet piece in their honor..good job
Thank you for staying in touch with your many followers. This is a great piece honoring Caplin and Gari, who will always be remembered, as will your hard work and tremendous contribution to the recognition of the wonderful capybara. Looking forward to reading more from you again, soon. xo
Thank you for posting. I know how hard it must be for you but we all appreciate you keeping in touch. You touched my heart with Caplin and Gari. I truly enjoyed following Gari and what he was thinking. Made my day!!! Take care Melanie xoxo
A lovely article about your two special boys Melly. I only found you after Caplin, but have enjoyed hearing all about him and Gari. I will certainly eat a popsicle in their honor. Keep posting Melly. We love to hear from you. (y) xx
That y in brackets was supposed to be a thumbs up Melly! xx
I, along with many others, will be celebrating Capybara Appreciation Day. Although I won’t be eating a popsicle or rolling around in a big patch of mud (tempting as that is), I will, in my own way, honor the lives of two very special capybaras who came into my life and touched my heart forever and always.
What a great tribute to two very special capybaras. I miss them both and I will be eating a grape popsicle in their honor. Take care Melly.
Sweet beasties!
Thank you for the words and pictures. Such sweet boys.
I really had never known what a capybara was until something about Gari was shared to my page. I immediately fell in love and enjoyed checking his page every day to see if there were any new antics. Since then I have become thoroughly captivated by these special beings.
I have a yogurt in the fridge! Cheers to these precious critters!
Wonderful tribute.
Thanks for all that you do.
🙂