For the past 2 1/2 years I have shared the wondrous joy
of having an 85%+ male wolf hybrid as a beloved companion.
His name is Timber. We live in a city and I even though I
was forewarned of the problems raising and caring for a
wolf in a suburban setting would be difficult I chose to
adopt this beautiful companion.
Looking back however I realize now that I sorely
underestimated the intelligence and tenacity of Timber.
So for those looking to adopt or take in a wolf, you
might consider our story. Timber's story and mine for I
think it is not so unusual.
At 4 months we brought him home, a shy gangly youngster
who trembled from the fear of being removed from his
mother and littermates. But with much attention, love and
a willingness to not flinch from his little needle teeth
whenever they sunk into our feet or arms in play, he came
to consider us his new pack. "Us" being my
husband, our 11-year-old female Chow and myself. Our
backyard became his personal playpen, as did most of the
inside of our home. He loved to chew, and our deck was
the first thing to go. The hot tub cover followed shortly
thereafter, along with the hosing from the outside air
conditioner. This phase lasted for almost a year. My
husband was NOT impressed. But I reasoned that Timber was
just a puppy didn't all puppies chew? So we scolded him
when we could catch him chewing on those things that were
supposed to remain permanent fixtures to the house. (When
we could catch him) being the key words. Because once he
was corrected for whatever he chewed, he usually never
went back for the same item. (Although it was rarely
necessary because his first job was usually quite
thorough leaving nothing for him to "return" to.)
Wolves are much more intelligent than their domestic
cousins. But we survived this phase; our backyard and 500.00
of our savings account did not however.
The next journey Timber took us on was when he and the
Chow decided to "take a walk" one evening after
a heavy rainstorm had loosened the dirt under the gate
sufficiently for Timber to burrow out. He returned a few
hours later, bloody and limping. Someone had taken aim,
and shot him through both front legs, with a small
caliber gun. Luckily the bullet missed both bones and
tendons but nicked an artery and we barely made it to the
emergency animal clinic before he bled to death in my
arms. Another 600.00 venture and by now my husband was
even less impressed with having a wolf as a companion.
But I promised he would do better and nothing like this
would happen again.
A few months later and all was well when I noticed after
a short run in the country Timber was coughing. Having
had a Dalmatian many years ago with heartworms I recalled
hearing the same dry cough and shuddered. The next day a
trip to the vet confirmed my worst fears. My baby of only
11-months indeed had heartworms. We arranged to begin
treatment quickly and 2 days of Kennel Veterinary hell
commenced. The vet who had for years been so kind and
good with our Chow suddenly turned into a distant and
cold stranger who had little compassion for anyone who
would "knowingly harbor one of those animals" (his
words to my utter dismay and shock). Another lesson
learned - many vets, as well as uneducated people do not
appreciate a wolf or a hybrid. Needless to say we changed
Vet's as soon as I could extradite Timber from the clinic.
The next lesson Timber had to offer us was thinking just
because he totally loved us and had turned into a cuddly
lap buddy that he would not feel any urges to hunt or
kill. So we continued to take him with us to our country
property as we had done with our Chow for years. All was
well for a while, he loved to romp and run close by never
really letting us out of his site, until one evening he
ventured off quietly to the neighbors farm. Five chickens
lost their lives and we were reminded abruptly of our
shortsighted inadequate complicity of being responsible
"alphas" for our charge. Trips to the country
ceased for I could not bear to chain him.
All went well for a while, even announcing his lineage to
the neighborhood with his wonderful deep full howl
occasionally was not a problem. As time went on, even
though we lavished him with love, affection and play his
need to explore, roam and socialize tugged at his spirit.
He began to do what most would do in his situation. Dig
for freedom. And anyone who has ever been around a wolf
and seen the size of his or her massive paws can
appreciate his solution took very little time to secure
his freedom. By now Timber had totally lost what little
support he had gained from my husband with his
affectionate nuzzles but I pleaded all would be well
again once he replaced the fence and reinforced it with a
concrete undercarriage. So he began replacing our fence.
Not fast enough however, because a few days ago, Timber
managed to get out again and this time a neighbor showed
up with his distraught wife and dead kitty. Timber found
his way into their yard and killed their kitty. They
recount the story as him being malicious in his attack, I
rather doubt malice entered into his head when he mauled
his prey. He was simply doing what came natural, hunting
down a small prey. This kitten died not because Timber is
a vicious animal but because I was remiss in my
responsibilities. The saddening memory of this lost life
is mine to bear. And the price is high, the neighbor
wants him put down or removed from the neighborhood.
Understandable from his point of view, heartbreaking from
mine for more than one reason, because I love all
creatures and the death of the kitty is sad for me as
well.
Having Timber killed for this "crime" is
unthinkable. He is not the villain in this story, if
there is a villain it is us for not providing the proper
fencing quick enough to contain his roving heart.
So sadly I began looking for a new home for my special
kid. And I say "kid" because anyone who has
spent any real time with a wolf knows how much like
family they become. Because for all of the negative
lessons mentioned and learned above, the COMPLETE love
offered by this magnificent animal has been worth it all.
And while I know now I am NOT at this time capable of
providing a good enough home for him or his kind, someday
through all he has taught me I will be, and his love will
have paved the way for a better day.
I urge all of you who think you are ready for a wolf/hybrid
because they are "cool dogs" Don't let yourself
be fooled for one moment. They are NOT just dogs, they
are so much more and they require much more than you can
begin to realize. Sure all dogs chew, dig, escape
occasionally and sometimes they will chase/kill small
animals but when the "dog" in question is a
wolf your neighbors and family members will be quick to
pronounce them as evil wild animals who cannot be
controlled. Those same people when faced with these
things in a domestic "dog" would think nothing
of selling or giving the offending animal to another home.
If you know anything at all about wolves and I would pray
you do before you adopt, you know this is NOT easily done.
Wolves form VERY strong bonds; usually once developed
they last for a lifetime and when they are taken from
their "family" sometimes the result can be
distrastous. And if this process is complete YOU bond
with them just as tightly. So just placing Timber up for
adoption is not taken lightly. When I brought him home it
was meant to be forever, and the thought of letting him
go is MUCH harder than people with a domestic dog can
realize.
Timber will take a part of my heart with him when he
leaves. Now I know why they howl on dark lonely nights.
Timber's last and most painful lesson is coming. His
departure.
Postscript
. . . Special thanks to Wolves on the Web, they post a bulletin board
for wolves in need. It is heartening to find
this site and many blessings to Desert Wolf and staff for
providing this place of rescue for those wonderful
special "kids", the wolf/hybrid. I have posted
Timber on this "rescue board". Facing the
heartache of having to place him in another’s care. My deepest prayer is that the person who assumes this
tremendous responsibility can and will provide him with
all the love and care he so richly deserves. P.P.S. . . In
a bid for freedom, Timber escaped and took half of the neighborhood
dogs with him to do what he knows to do... Start a pack... Trouble is
he picked suburbs of San Antonio... Freedom is a powerful urge .
. .
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