Xavier

sex: male
born: 21 July 1994
birth place: Colorado
died: 17 March 2006

given sanctuary: 09 July 1995

 

 

 

 

Xavier's Memorial
see Newsletter - Spring 06 (click)

Xavier's Story

Xavier was one of those animals whose owners came upon hard times. They professed a great love for him, but were being forced to move, and could not have him in their rental property. They promised to send money for his care and upkeep and, for a short period of time, they did. They even continued to visit him at the sanctuary, and occasionally would take him on camping trips for a weekend. It seemed these people really would follow through, but the visits soon became fewer, and the financial support less, until, one fateful day, his original family finally abandoned Xavier.

As in all wolf packs, there are the alphas and the omegas. It was Xavier’s fate to become an omega, the lowest ranking wolf in the pack. Because of his low status, the other animals often picked on Xavier. It was due to this fact that it was decided to place him in an enclosure with Kodiak and her pups. The pups were no longer at an age where their mother felt a need to protect them, and it was felt he could manage fine in that group.

This was not to be the case, and one day, when the Wendlands were out picking up food for the animals, fate again took its part in Xavier’s life. As the Wendlands were driving home to the Wolf facility, the axle broke and fell out of their truck. The Wendlands knew they needed to get back to the sanctuary, so a neighbor was called to pick up Pat, while Frank would wait for help with the truck. Upon arriving at the facility, Pat and her neighbor were doing a body check to make sure all the animals were okay. It was at this time that they discovered a horrific sight.

Kodiak and her pups had attacked Xavier! When he was found, it was believed he was already dead. Pat cradled him in her arms and began to cry and speak to him. Suddenly, Xavier took one large breath and Pat realized he was still alive. Quickly, he was gently placed on a board to facilitate moving him, was covered with blankets and placed in the back of the other vehicle. Pat immediately started down the mountain on the 40 minute trip to Colorado State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital. Meanwhile, the neighbors contacted CSU to notify them that Xavier was on his way.

As Pat approached Frank on the road, she barely stopped to tell him what had happened, since her neighbor was behind her and would fill Frank in on the details. Arriving at the hospital in record time, Xavier was met at the door by doctors with a gurney and was immediately taken to the emergency section. For the next several hours, Xavier was treated for numerous wounds, and it was unknown whether he would survive.

It is believed that Kodiak had done what wolf mothers always do. She had taught her pups how to take down prey and eat. This is how wolves exist. Unfortunately, Xavier was the only prey available on whom Kodiak could teach this life lesson. Kodiak was an exceptional mother wolf and taught her pups well. The pack had taken down their prey and eaten. Xavier had cavities the size of grapefruits in both of his thighs, his stomach had been punctured and was leaking stomach fluid into his body, and there was a 4-inch hole in his back end alongside his tail. Puncture wounds too numerous to count covered his body, and he was suffering from both blood loss and hypothermia. It was touch and go through the night; the doctors were not sure if he would even be able to survive stabilization, and, if he did, he would need immediate surgery on his stomach to prevent peritonitis.

Xavier is an amazingly strong-willed wolf-dog/coyote mix, and he did survive both the attack and the surgeries he underwent. The people who originally had owned him and were supposed to help with his care were notified. They came to the hospital once to see him, but when they learned that the expense incurred to save him was over $1,600.00, they were never heard from again.

Xavier still resides at the Wolf Sanctuary. He was accepted back into the very pack that caused his injuries, for it was nothing personal against Xavier, Kodiak was only doing what a mother wolf is supposed to do. We watch Xavier closely; he is still an omega, but one of the bravest and sweetest survivors we have ever had the honor of knowing.