Today a call came in from a man I didn't know. He said he had picked up a wolf hybrid along the road. She was dragging a steel cable. He loaded her in his truck and discovered she was wearing a choke chain imbedded over 2 inches DEEP inside most of her neck. He started calling around for help. He couldn't find any. He called me. I called around. Nothing. I spoke to animal control while he was there with the officer. She said the wolf needed to be put down. I arranged euthanasia with Doctor Cash. I again spoke to the animal control officer. She went on about how beautiful and how sweet the wolf was. My guts ached. She had survived the worst of this. How could I request her death now that she was FINALLY getting help? I again spoke to the man. I asked him if he would be willing to drive all the way out to me for the chance that I may be able to help her. If her injury was over my head, he would have to take her back to town to be put down. He said he would be happy to bring her to me. They arrived shortly. I climbed into the back of his truck. What I saw I will never forget. A choke chain was cut through every bit of muscle around her neck and her flesh had grown through the links of the chain. I was FURIOUS! I ran to the house and got wire cutters. When I got back to the truck the man told me they had already tried that. Yeah, but I havent!!! I cut the chain at the main link and bent it with my super human "IM SO MAD I COULD DO ANYTHING RIGHT NOW" strength. I then gently began to tediously remove the steel from this poor animals flesh. (Keep in mind I am working on a strange and stray wolf that standing is well above my waist). She never moved, never faught, never flinched. She knew EXACTLY what I was doing for her. When it finally released her, I flung it like it burned me. I was sick. The smell of her rotting neck nearly knocked me out, but I hugged her and loved her anyway. The amazing part...she loved me back... Once inside I fed her everything on the shelves that looked like steak on the can. I got out my best comforters for the most sore of pups. She is nothing but bones. I dont know why she is alive, but she is not only alive, she is energetic and happy, even playing with me. In a month, it will only be a story of one I loved and cared for, and the evidence of the crime will be gone. Today she is my whole world and my greatest moment. I think that forever if I am ever asked what was my greatest moment, I will answer "taking a chain off a wolf". She is special. So very special. I just can express it. Chains are for gates, for towing cars, for securing loads...Chains are not and never will be for a dog. Never ever and never. It is an outrage. Look into the face of this incredible animal. She is an absolute sweetheart. Anyone could approach her. She has been roaming the streets for MONTHS, starving, dragging 10 feet of steel cable and some huge wadded mess around with her. She has been seen a hundred times Im sure. Thank GOD for the man that picked her up today. Why did it take so long? She's my hero. |
Koda....my Wild Heart.... |
To appreciate where she is today, you have to know her whole story. Here are the original records of her most triumphant plight..... |
MARCH 3rd, 2005 |
UPDATE 03-09-05 With the help of Doctor Cash and countless prayers, this girl is healing at record speed. We decided that my initial assumptions about her struggle were incorrect. With her foot pads soft and her nails long, this chain cut her while she was tied. Even though she weighs only 40 lbs, someone was bringing her minimal food and water or she would not be alive. Someone saw this and let it go on. She loves children, so it is possible a child cared for her. She is nervous around adults, especially men. We will never know her story. We can only guess, but it DOES have a happy ending! 04-17-05 Yesterday Koda went to the vet for a rabies shot and check up. She weighs 83 lbs! Thats a 43 lb gain in 6 weeks. We are thrilled. She is doing wonderful and she is doing everything she can think of to make sure we keep her forever. Shes MUCH smarter than we thought. There is no trace of her wound other than a thin line around her neck, under the newly grown fur. An amazing recovery! |
UPDATE Jan 2006 |
The best word for it is WOW!!! Below is the best Christmas prestent Ive ever received. Photos of my Koda from her new family. As you can see, the change is nothing short of miraculous. Many people are shocked that I gave her up. It truly was like giving up my own heart. I realized early on with the arrival of spring fawns, that Koda would not fare well here. She wanted to hunt them, and keeping everyone separated was a challenge. Koda lost freedom and that was not acceptable to me. I wont use names to protect privacy, but Koda had some special friends she met here. A couple from the Tulsa area who had once rescued a wolfdog from euthanasia. That white wolf would become the center of their lives. The plight of the wolfdog was a subject they knew well. The couple brought me an injured raccoon to repair and then met Miss Koda. They fell in love with her and began to visit her regularly, gaining her trust. When I made the decision to look for a more appropriate home, they were the first to come to mind. I made the suggestion. They couldnt have been more sure to accept. Koda went directly to their vet for a complete physical. They anesthetized her and found the thin line around her neck where a gaping wound had been. They also found evidence of old wounds healed before her time here and then they found heartworm. It was a blessing I had decided to place her in such diligent hands. Meant to be. Koda suffered throught the heartworm treatments and recovered fully. A photo being worth a thousand words, here is Miss Koda today, our "Woofie Princess"! I have never regretted my decision to place her into this family, though I miss her so much it hurts. Like my cougar, Kiara, Koda will always be a special part of my heart. |
There was nothing more loved by my Koda here than the living room couch. Notice her sharing it with my Chihuahua. He was, of course, the boss. |
