“I approached the couple and asked, ‘You know that isn’t a dog, right?'”
On the house in Tucson, Arizona, there was a sign that read, “Free puppy.” A young man approached the door after spotting the sign. He instantly fell in love and knew the puppy would be coming home with him when he noticed the puppy’s large amber eyes and attentive ears.
Neo the puppy, however, proved to be a challenge. Neo was extremely anxious and nervous, and whenever he was driven anywhere, he would urinate and defecate all over his new owner’s automobile. Additionally, he always desired the company of his owner—and only his owner. Neo was frequently left alone in the backyard because the owner was a full-time college student and employee in addition to being glad to pay attention to Neo.
Cate Salansky of Wolf Connection informed us that Neo would either dig out or leap the fence to play with the dogs of the neighbours. To try restrain him, he erected a higher fence, but Neo chewed through it and kept getting away.
What the owner didn’t know was that Neo was more of a “high content” wolf dog than a typical dog. Neo had the physical qualities of a wolf—amber eyes, a rough coat, and a tall, lanky body—but he also behaved like one. Neo’s desire to locate his pack was the real reason he ran away to play with the neighborhood dogs rather than just being a playful puppy trait.
At first, the neighbors were understanding of Neo’s unexpected visits. Neo would avoid eye contact and cower in their toilet when they brought him into their home because he wasn’t interested in associating with anyone other than his owner. Neo also showed little interest in the snacks that the neighbors gave him, despite the fact that most dogs adore them.
They had enough after Neo showed up in their neighbors’ yard for the nth time. They took Neo to the Humane Society of Southern Arizona to see if they would take care of him while an arrangement with the owner could be made.
Former Humane Society of Southern Arizona CEO Maureen O’Nell recalls Neo’s arrival. O’Nell recalled, “One morning, before our campus for animal welfare opened to the public, I was outdoors with another staff member. “I observed a couple leading a dog with lengthy legs up to the front door. His actions caught my attention more than the way he looked. Neo completely avoided interacting with people. As best as I can put it, the couple who was with him appeared bewildered.”
O’Nell rapidly came to the conclusion that this wouldn’t be your average drop-off. You know that isn’t a dog, right?, I questioned the pair as I walked up to them. said O’Nell. “We were wondering,” was their response,”
O’Nell promptly looked up Arizona’s wolf dog ownership regulations. In the state, you are not allowed to keep a wolf dog unless you are a Native American or have a special licence. Neo might have to be reported to the authorities if the shelter decided to take him in.
When O’Nell contacted Wolf Connection, a sanctuary and rescue organization for wolf dogs in California, they agreed to take Neo. Then O’Nell contacted the original owner and inquired about his wishes. He finally consented that Neo ought to visit the sanctuary. I expressed to him my pride in his choice, O’Nell stated. At Wolf Connection, “his son had a fantastic life ahead of him.”
When Neo first arrived at the sanctuary, his physical condition was good, but the caretakers originally kept him segregated until the vet could give him the all-clear. They at least made an effort to keep Neo alone.
Neo broke out of the isolation kennel and went straight to the habitat of Wolf Connection’s alpha female, Maya, since Neo decided he didn’t enjoy being kept so far away from the other members of the pack, out in the separated portion of the property, Salansky said.
Neo participated in the “nightly howl” that occurs each night when the pack care crew prepares to depart the sanctuary on the first night. He didn’t wait to see how he fit in with the group, according to O’Nell. ‘He knew he belonged,’
Finally, Neo had located his pack.
Make careful you don’t unintentionally acquire a wolf dog as Neo’s owner did because it’s either illegal or subject to rigorous rules in many U.S. states. Look for physical characteristics like fur covering the inside of the ears and the entire belly area, black claws, and diamond-shaped smell glands on the tail if you’re unsure if a dog is a wolf dog. In spite of this, wolf dogs can exhibit wolf-like characteristics that are more behavioral in nature and do not necessarily resemble wolves in appearance. They might be adept at escaping capture like Neo and avoid meeting new people.
Giulia Cappelli, the Lead of Programs at Wolf Connection, had this to say to people who seek out wolf dogs on purpose: “My suggestion is to “check your ego.” Why would you desire an animal that most likely doesn’t belong in a home? The vanity of individuals who want to own a wolf is the reason why more than 70% of all wolf dogs in the U.S. are put to death every year. No matter how well-intentioned they are, most of the time bad things happen.”
Over the past seven years, Wolf Connection has saved over 50 wolf canines of various temperaments and provided them with a safe haven, a loving home, and a life that is incredibly enriching. You may give here to help Wolf Connection’s ongoing rescue operations and the care of their recovered pack.
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