Cody

sex: male
born: 01 December 1985
birth place: Colorado

deceased: 11 April 1998

given sanctuary: 18 March1995

Cody's Memorial

We are sorry to report that on Saturday April 11th, Cody was euthanized due to extreme cancerous tumors that invaded his right leg and shoulder.

After appealing for funds to buy Rimadyl for the arthritis in his back legs and hips, a tumor broke through the skin surface on his right front elbow. A concerned supporter, Mary Lockner of the Thrifty Nickel, arranged to pay for surgery to be performed by Frank Frucci, DVM at City Park Animal Hospital. Although there was concern for Cody's ability to withstand surgery because of his age, the tumor was removed and the elbow re-stitched.All went extremely well for two and a half months. Cody responded to the medication and was even seen, a few times, bouncing around and chasing birds. However, small bumps began to become apparent around the right front elbow and upper arm and eventually broke through the surface of the skin. During examination, Dr. Frucci discovered a very large mass in the armpit or joint area of the shoulder. The only solution to saving his life would have been to amputate the leg. Unfortunately, due to the pain and sensitivity of using that leg, Cody was putting more pressure on the left front leg and his arthritic rear legs that were then failing as well.

After several weeks of steroid and antibiotic treatment and a continued deterioration of his overall condition, he was even having trouble getting in and out of his dog house. The only decision that seemed fair to him was to let him move on. He was surrounded by those that loved him when we let him go.

Cody's Story

In December, 1995 Wolf received a phone call from Elizabeth, a neighbor of a gentleman who owned a wolf-dog in a small residential area of Longmont, Colorado. The wolf-dog was a nine-year-old large male (130 lbs.).

His owner was in the process of moving. He believed that no one but he could manage the animal, but he had no intention of taking the animal with him. For him, the recourse was euthanasia.

Apparently, Cody's owner had an ongoing problem with a commitment to animals. Reportedly, he had owned a female pure wolf before Cody and, like most wolves, she was not satisfied being confined in the back yard of a track house and would frequently escape. Never harming anybody or anything, the sleek and stealthy spirit loped through neighbors' backyards and definitely brought out the "Bid Bad Wolf" fears in the homeowners. As animal control was called out yet again, they made a comment to the owner to the effect of "This animal is a nuisance. It should be shot." To which the owner replied "OK." The animal control officer immediately called the Sheriff's Department and an officer shot the animal as it ran through a neighbor's yard.

The current situation with Cody seemed to be another psychological problem involved this person's image of himself. In talking to the man, it appeared to Elizabeth that the wolf-dog had never been socialized with other animals. Elizabeth wanted to take Cody in, however she had two Rottweilers to which she had tried to introduce Cody -- with less than acceptable results. Cody would be very friendly for about three and a half minutes and then go straight for the jugular.

After meeting and talking with the man Wolf made arrangements to take Cody to the facility. The exchange was made a week later at a halfway point. Indeed, the man did show emotion at the parting.

Cody's new life began with a bang. Not wanting him to be companionless, Wolf tried introductions to all of the available females at the Sanctuary. He attempted to be playful, but there was three and a half minutes of the usual posturing and then the quick attempt to attack.

It was decided to keep Cody in an enclosure by himself which, thankfully, did not end his attempts at playfulness. Throughout the rest of his life, he would join in the excitement of those playing just on the other side of his enclosure. Although humans may have been emotionally sympathetic about his inability to make physical contact, we believe it was enough for him just to be surrounded by the activities of many vital and energetic animals.

Cody was always good with humans and loved being scratched on the belly, going for walks, and getting roast beef from his pet human, Steve. Though Wolf does not encourage wolf-dog ownership, especially of just one animal, Cody would have made n excellent one animal companion for a responsible human.

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