Tiger Missing Link Foundation, Saving Tigers One By One, tigerlink.com, tigerlink.org

From the famous sculptor Bertel Thorvaldsen (1770-1844), most well known for his masterpiece, the "Lion of Lucerne" (pictured above).

The "Lion of Lucerne," a famous masterpiece of the early 19th century, is dedicated to the memory of the heroic fight and final defeat of the Swiss Guards in 1792 in Paris. August 10th of that year marks the beginning of the bloody days of the French revolution with the storm on the royal palace, the Tuileries. The Swiss regiment of the Guards had to lay down its arms by order of the king Louis XVI and as a result was literally torn to pieces by the murderous mob.

The lion, always considered a symbol of courage and strength, served the artist to demonstrate a tragic event, a fight to the death. His heart pierced by a lance, the lion still holds his protecting paw over the shield with the lily coat of arms, emblem of the Bourbon kings.

The erection of the monument was made possible by donations of comrades from other regiments and friends and especially by the initiative of Ch. Pfyffer of Altishofen. Also, it was his idea to use as a symbol the dying lion. The model is the work of the famous Danish sculptor Bertel Thorvaldsen (1770-1844) and was hewn into the rock in 1820/21 by L. Ahorn (1789-1856). The original model (in stucco) is on exhibition in the Glacier Garden. The niche in the rock wall measures about 43', the animal alone 30'. The Latin inscription carved into the rock above the monument reads: "To the fidelity and bravery of the Swiss"; below follow the names of the 26 officers who fell defending the Tuileries.

TO KARMA: THE HEART THAT COULD NOT FAIL
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The surgeons labored long and hard
To mend his broken heart
And prayers were said around his bed
To bless their healing art

The starry night like diamonds bright
Brought peace to everything
Its spell was deep when in our sleep
The phone began to ring

Our baby's gone, our Karma's gone!
He's gone--how can it be??
Our path will go through pain and woe
His through eternity

Dear friend who stands beside the place
Where little Karma lies
Remember through regret and tears
A tiger never dies

His tiger heart was strong and true
Although his limbs were frail
Because his heart was full of love
And true love cannot fail