Braveheart: The Final Hour
In November of 2025, a 22-year-old rescue lion named Braveheart arrived at Shalom Wildlife
Sanctuary to live out his remaining days. The moment local artist Michele Wiesen saw him, she was
captivated by the immense wisdom and deep soul in his eyes. She took numerous photos, knowing
with absolute certainty that she would eventually paint him.
When Braveheart’s health began to decline, David Fechter of Shalom reached out to Michele with a
poignant image. It showed the old king with his massive paws pressed together, looking as if he were
bowing his head in prayer. David also shared a beautiful vision for the background, providing the final
spark of inspiration for the artwork.
As Michele painted this piece, titled Braveheart: The Final Hour, her thoughts stayed with his final
sunset. She envisioned his quiet last hour on earth as his soul peacefully departed back to our
Creator. His journey serves as a powerful reminder of the ultimate grace available to us all: the
promise that we can return to be with our Creator for eternity if we accept Jesus into our hearts.