Wolves As Our Avatar - Part II

Yes, Buffalo finally let us choose a cub - actually, we let the cub choose us. And choose us she did! She took my husband by storm! She sat back and watched us for a while, the other cubs were falling all over themselves trying to get to us - but not this one. She waited until things quieted down, then she walked to my husband and bit his ankle. It was love at first bite. (It was the only time, she ever bit anyone - and at her age then, she could not hurt a fly.)

Buffalo laughed and said something about the small young bitch had made her choice. We left shortly thereafter with an eight week old wolf club in the back platform of a Porsche and down the road we sailed. She was black and white with two black eye markings. She was so young that her ears did not always stand up. As it happened, it was voting day, so on our way home, we stopped to vote, I stuck our new friend in my purse which was more than big enough as it hung from my shoulder and was open - she peeked out over the edge as we walked.

Everyone had the same reaction to our club. "How cute she is, what kind of puppy is she?", they would ask as they reached to pet her. If I said she was a wolf, they reacted strongly and pulled their hand away, as if this 8 week old bundle of fur was going to attach them; but if I said a 'Husky', they continued to pet her. Strange, don't you think?

Now, we had to decide on a name - after all, we could not just call her cub. There were three dogs at home already so naming was important. The other three would take kindly to another friend in the house, of that, we were sure. After all, one, a cocker-poodle mix, was over 17, one, a setter, was about eight and the youngest was an eight month Shar-Pei; all were females. It was the Shar-Pei (I was her Human) that was the alpha dog, so once she accepted the cub, there would be no problems.

Things went as expected, the Shar-Pei, took the cub, rolled her over on her back, cleaned her up and that was that! The little one had become part of our pack. She fell right into place. She followed the Shar-Pei around, every where, so much so that we starting calling her Shadow, and it stuck. The cub had a name: Shadow.

During the time we were lucky enough to share this wonderful animal's life, she showed us love and respect. She became the second Mom to our Shar-Pei litters of puppies (not many - just two litters.) She taught the puppies how to hunt in our backyard (a little over 5 acres). She and the Mama bitch shared responsibilities of the puppies. They would play keep-away with the pups with a soft toy. It was really something to watch. I have never seen anything like it any other time than with our wolf and our Mama Shar-Pei,

Shadow was a part of our lives for 14 years. She showed us loyalty with strength of character, compassion in the dealing of others. She gave more love than we could give her. The joy that she brought will never be forgotten.

(From time to time, I might share another Shadow Story with you.)