Lara

sex: female
born: January 1986 (est.)
birth place: ?
died: 14 September 1998

Lara's Story

On August 21st Frank & Pat Wendland met a caring couple from Castle Rock, Colorado at the Holiday Inn parking lot in Fort Collins. The couple ran an animal shelter and had been brought a stray wolf-dog picked up by animal control. Her condition was not good and they had been nursing her back to health for several weeks. This of course was contrary to the policies of local authorities.

In order to save her life they needed to get her out of the shelter and placed at a sanctuary as quickly as possible. They searched, finally found and contacted Wolf. The parking lot began her life with the Wendlands.

She was a mess, her tail was broken, her hair was falling out in clumps, she was very emaciated (when weighed, at least 40 lbs. under weight), she walked very far back on her feet (not on her toes the way canines are supposed to) and had large bloody scabs on the tips of both ears (from fly bites). Her disposition however, was wonderful. She looked like a kind on an outing, bouncing, excited and happy to meet these new people. As your eyes met hers, though, you knew there was a sorrow deep inside and you wished she could share her story. She appeared to be somewhere around seven to nine years old. It was difficult to tell if it was her situation that aged her quickly or indeed the years were just taking their toll.

As the months progressed the major physical problems healed as she gained 45 lbs., grew a nice luxurious coat and was healthy enough to keep the flies away from her own ears. It was time to place her into an enclosure with another animal.

The decision was to bring her into the new enclosure first and then to bring in her future companion, after she had a chance to check it all out. Taking her through the gate and removing her leash and collar she began walking up the side of the mountain and did what we call the 'Heisman' (a sideways kind of jump that looks a lot like the Heisman Trophy). she immediately cringed and looked our direction as if to say "I'm sorry, I don't know what came over me, please don't hit me." We were horrified and yearned even more to understand her history. Even with continued reassurance we never saw another 'Heisman' from Lara.

Sasha was brought into her enclosure and the bonding process began. Sasha was too eager and Lara kept him in his place. Their pattern became one of devoted attention by Sasha and short bursts of tenderness followed by aloofness from Lara.

It was suspected that her hips were damaged from malnutrition as she never fully was able to walk correctly on her toes. Even though medications such as Rimadyl were disguised in meat, Lara would have nothing to do with anything being offered by hand. In fact, she would disappear into the recesses of her dog house.

Later Zeke was introduced to Sasha and Lara and became the companion that Sasha needed, providing endless hours of play. For Lara he was a pesky little puppy that she had to continually put in his place.

Lara's Memorial

On September 12, she experienced a stroke, was seen by the vet, prescribed medication and put into an isolated enclosure to recuperate. On September 14th she was found dead in the early morning, apparently from another stroke.

Lara's Poem
by Dana Renee Reynolds-Sakowski

Lara quietly whispered to me
as she went from this world to the next.
I could tell she was in no pain now,
and she is finally free to run and play and be.
Beside her I saw her true love Sasha,
their reunion brought me peace.
Lara told me to remember our good times
and she asked me not to cry long.
Because of Wolf she had many more years with love
and friendship from her human and wolf pack.
I am so grateful I was a member of her pack
and part of her life.
She had a quiet, loving spirit
which I have been forever touched by.
I used to just see her once a week,
now our friendship knows no limits or bounds.
She is part of my soul now,
I am lucky enough to be one of her people.

 

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