General Info, History, Why Wolf?

History

Wolf came into being after circumstance, fate, and love led the founders to this calling, which continues to fulfill their lives. Frank and Patricia Wendland were peripherally involved with an individual who maintained three very beautiful, high-percentage wolf-dogs. The intelligence and depth of spirit of these creatures was reflected in their eyes. There was a “knowing” and healing of the human spirit that emanated from a very large black male named Nicodemus. Both Frank and Pat were so moved by his spirit that they continued to visit the animals regularly.

One day the animals were gone. Through ignorance and lack of commitment to the special needs of these animals, Nicodemus was found dead by a neighbor, and the two other animals were close to death. Nicodemus died from dehydration, sacrificing his life to give his pack mates a better chance of surviving. After six weeks of treatment at the Colorado State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital, the other two wolf-dogs recovered and were placed with caring individuals.

Circumstance continued to push the Wendlands toward the founding of Wolf, when a misguided friend was going to euthanize a three-month-old wolf-dog because it did not act like the house pet they thought they were buying. Pat and Frank could not allow this animal to be destroyed, because she practiced a very typical wolf behavior. When greeting her pack members (in this case human pack members), she would welcome them home with what we have termed the “lick, lick, bite.” Although the bite is not vicious and is meant as a “kiss, kiss, hug,”, as wolves use their mouths like humans use their hands, the owners became convinced that the animal had to be destroyed. The Wendlands adopted their first wolf-dog in April 1994, and the process escalated from there and Wolf was born.

Why Wolf?

The Wendlands started receiving phone calls about wolf-dogs that needed homes, and within a year had 12 animals sharing their home. As they tried to get them placed and tried to get rescues to help save others, they began to realize the gravity of the problem.

Individuals purchasing wolf-dogs did not understand them, and few breeders educated them. General pet rescues and shelters classify wolf-dogs as not adoptable, killing those that are either surrendered by or unclaimed by owners.

It was too late for the Wendlands; they were hooked, and decided to dedicate the rest of their lives to saving these misunderstood animals. They formalized the process they had begun, and incorporated as a nonprofit corporation in June 1995.

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