NEW YEAR- 2009 - NEWS FLASH!!

The passing year – looking back at 2008

2008 was one of extra ordinary events. Ones filled with happy tails (pun intended) but also those that are heart wrenching and that we are all still grieving over.

We lost 4 members of our Pack, two beloved wolves and two amazing men, all seemingly within a very short period of time.  

Of course each passing of one of the wolves impacts us deeply, tears are shed and we grieve. However, we gain solace in the fact that once they were brought to the Sanctuary, they had a happy life filled with love and pampering. They were made to feel safe and protected from the hurts and abuse of their previous lives and given the most comfortable and healthy life possible.  Many of the wolves have lived far past their natural (in the wild) life expectancy of 5 to 8 years. 

Wacipi, who passed on 03/18/08, was thought to be an older brother of Yukon and was approximately 17 years old. He was the Grandfather of the Pack, taking his roll seriously and playing it with charm and grace, keeping the unruly ones in line with a patient growl and a talking to and welcoming in the new members of the pack with a howl of acceptance.  He lived a long life and finished out his years in comfort, surrounded by those who loved and adored him.

However, Bianca, one of the Sanctuary’s Wolf-Malamutes and the “Wolf Ambassador”, came as a shock to many of us when she passed away suddenly on 11/26/08. Her illness came on suddenly and she passed while at the veterinarian’s office.  Bianca, being the “Ambassador” was most visitors’ introduction to the Sanctuary and the wolves. She would walk among the groups and introduce herself with a lick and a gentle nudge. She adored kids and loved all the attention! If you have ever been to visit, chances are you have a picture of Bianca giving you a kiss!  The shock and sadness is still fresh, but her life was full and she returned every bit of the love that she received!

The men we lost…one man, John LeFevre -90 years old, at the end of a life filled with adventure, intrigue, creating new governments and traveling the world. A man with mighty integrity, focused dedication, and grace done all with that high British dry humor, traditional values and a “stiff upper lip.” He was the human “Grandfather” to the pack, husband of 60 years to Jean (the founder of the Sanctuary), father of three, grandfather to many more and a stabilizing force for the Sanctuary as the financial officer. To me he was a friend and a mentor.

The other, Hayden O’Brien -18 years old, just coming into his own, destined, so we thought, for greatness, but taken from his friends and family way WAY too soon! He seemed to be following in John’s footsteps with a life filled with adventure and integrity. Hayden was a dedicated Boy Scout who had just made Eagle Scout (only 14% of Boy Scouts can claim that honor.) He had just graduated top of his class in high school, valedictorian I believe (top 1% of students in the US for that one.) Everything he did was with 100% dedication. We at the Sanctuary knew him through the many visits and Boy Scout “work days” he helped with, along with the garden that he planned and planted himself as a service project to become an Eagle Scout. This garden –“Hayden’s Garden” now carries a plaque in his memory.

So, along with the sadness felt, we also celebrate John’s and Hayden’s lives. These two men gave so much love and dedication to the wolves and to all who knew them. I can only hope that they came to realize how well they themselves were loved and respected in return.

It was an honor to have known each of them (two- and four-legged) and to have been a part of their lives.

Excuse me while I get a tissue…It’s always difficult to write about sad news. My keyboard is a little soggy right now. However, like I stated in the beginning of this – this year we at the Sanctuary have also experienced many exciting, joyful and fun times.

Each volunteer and visitor has a story of their own unique experience that I will leave it to them to share with us, and encourage them to do so by sending us photos, videos and short written stories.

A Quick Review of the Highlights:

  We made the News Up in DALLAS, TEXAS! Click here to read the article!

  WOW, another year has come and gone…filled with emotional highs and lows, but yet always filled with the howls and the sense of peace with being around the wolves. It makes it all worth it!

Coming soon will be a note on the plans for the New Year - 2009! Stay Tuned!