Dear Miles,

Hey there, little boo. I got wind of what happened with your mommy Noel and your brand new sibling. No words (or whinnies) could express my condolences quite completely enough. I'm so sorry.

Now you've got more in common with Bambi than those knobby knees and wobbly legs. And I know, my dear, it wasn't supposed to happen that way.

Life's not fair, fuzzy friend, but sometimes, angels get their wings a little earlier than we hope. Even the ones that already have their heads halfway to the clouds.

Remember when we met in March 2009? You were such a sweet, gentle creature, all limbs and wild-eyed and bushy-horned in your fledgling state. I could tell by the way your mama nuzzled you, she really loved you so.

I know she was wary of me, with the somewhat lethal combination of my eager, outstretched arms and your infantile curiosity. But she was just looking out for the apple of her eye. She trusted your judgment — even then — when you deemed me worthy of a head scratch.

Don't let your mama down now.

You were Noel's bumbling bundle of pride and joy. But it's time to be the big boy in the family.

Your mama is counting on you to be a positive role model for your half-brother Hasani. He looks up to you, you know (and not just literally). And you're ready to step up to the plate.

Your mama would want you to behave yourself. She knows you can be a bit of an imp. So no sticking your neck out to Zoo guests (well, not too far), and no kicking up too much dust in the yard. Well, she'll give a little errant dust her blessing. And she promises she won't tell your dad.

Your mama hopes you'll listen to your father, Kiva, and your aunties, too. And when they tell you to eat all your leaves, or they say it's lights out in the barn, she doesn't want you to shout, "You're not my mom, anyway!" She wants you to know that they love you and want the best for you, just like she does.

But most of all, your mama wouldn't want you to mourn her too long or too hard. After all, you've got so much life ahead of you. And just think of all the places you'll go.

Love,
Fayza

Nota bene: In a former life, I was a web marketing consultant for the Houston Zoo. As one of the perks of this gig, I had once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to spend some private time with the Zoo's amazing animals (and their keepers). In March 2009, I spent an afternoon behind-the-scenes with the newly augmented giraffe family, where I was able to meet Noel, Miles, Kiva, and other members of the extended tribe.