C.C. The 'House Dog'

Before there was the Wolf Sanctuary, before there was a couple called Frank and Pat, there was a special animal who came to live with Frank. CC arrived of her own volition, her name stands for Chocolate Chip (Frank’s favorite cookies). Frank at this time was dog-sitting his daughter’s puppy, Ginger, and he knew it would be some time before Melanie could bring Ginger to live with her. He asked Pat to keep an eye out for a companion.

Not a week later Pat was outside when this very exuberant chocolate brown pup came running up to her. The dog was wearing a collar but had no tags. She was pretty young, a year old at most. Because Pat and her neighbor Frank lived in an area where folks allowed their animals to run loose, Pat told her “go home, go on you silly dog, go home.” With that she jumped up on Pat and gave her a kiss. Jumping down she went immediately to Frank’s front door and sat on the porch. Pat smiled, OK she thought, I certainly can’t leave her here. Frank opened the door, at which time, this little stranger politely walked past him into his living room and jumped on the couch, as if to say, “OK, I’m home.” Although Frank and Pat tried everything they could to find her people, CC never left and no one ever claimed her. She indeed was home.

CC was the dog that everyone wants; smart, protective, loyal and loving. She could make anyone smile. She knew if you were sad and would lick your tears. She grew up believing herself to be a wolf, Frank and Pat never told her otherwise. At the Sanctuary, she had the run of the property and did not have to be confined to an enclosure. She enjoyed running the property, chasing coyotes, exploring, rolling in anything smelly, swimming in the pond, mousing and seemed to know she had a special position — she was the ‘house’ dog! She would yell at anyone trying to sleep in her spot next to the bed.

The last few months of her life, everyone at the Sanctuary cared for her, helping her outside, bringing her food and water, loving her and spoiling her in any way they could. She accepted our ministering, we believe to give the humans time to adjust to the fact that she was leaving. CC joined her wolf ancestors on January 24, 2007. The wolves at the Sanctuary howled her Spirit on its final journey and the humans, well, if you have ever loved, you know how the humans feel.

Memories of Love Girl

Yesterday (Sunday, February 4th) was a very sad and hard day. Rhonda, Karen and I all found her not only to be struggling physically as she had difficulty controlling her hind legs and kept slipping or dragging them, but she also seemed to be in pain and very obviously “disconnected.” Whereas before, even when she still seemed weak in her legs, she would still eagerly approach each of us and take her treats by hand. But the past few days she was not at all interested in us or the treats. After much coaxing and finally taking the higher prednisone dose Saturday, she was found yesterday to have vomited it up and to have had dark runny stools. She wouldn't even look me in the eye, as she usually does and she refused the treats (meds) from all three of us separately. Steve and Kiley were present and agreed and were prepared for the worse. We all clearly knew in our hearts that it was time.

She was given a sedative beforehand. When we came back to find her sedated and curled up in the back of Bootsy's usual corner, Bootsy immediately curled up beside her and stared back up at us. It was the most sad and yet amazingly beautiful sight. It stopped all 5 of us in our tracks; we let him stay with her for awhile as we sat there in tears.

Love-Girl had always been so sweetly motherly to him. She passed very peacefully. We left her inside with Bootsy, for a time that we hoped was enough for him. Just as it was getting dark, the 5 of us hiked out of WideAwake together, pulling Love-Girl's beautiful long body along in the sled. All of the other wolves came up to the front of their enclosures to look as we walked by.

I’m so sorry to have to share another passing of one of these magnificent creatures with all of you. I don't pretend to have any understanding of why these Sacred Wolves were so clearly meant to be rescued, and yet two of them have already passed in just these 8 months. I do know, however, that when they first arrived they were all so broken, in body and spirit. I remember how all but Lucan would run past each of us humans with glazed eyes and intense anxiety. I remember how Jack and Bootsy would fear-bite. Well, in these past 8 months I've seen Love Girl in her elegant feminine way sit with her beautiful long legs crossed, relaxed and licking and cleaning herself as I'd sit beside her and Bootsy. She'd eagerly take treats from Charlie and all of our hands. I've seen Bootsy let Rhonda, Karen, Steve and others pet him without a single snap. I know that we have witnessed great change in their behaviors. My hope is that everyone's tremendous love and care-taking has helped mend these creatures. And even if they must pass, then hopefully their spirit is re-united with their bodies before they lift off for their Grand Journey.