I Found Your Wolf Today: By John Braden
I found your wolf today. No, he has not been adopted by anyone. Most of us, who are into rescue, and live out here in the desert, have many more wolves than we want. Those who do not own or rescue wolves do so because they choose not to. I know you hoped he would find a good home when you left him out there in the wilderness... ..but he did not. When I first saw him he was miles from the nearest house and he was alone, thirsty, and limping from a cholla burr in his paw. How I wish I could have been you as I stood before him. To see his tail wag and his eyes brighten as he bounded into your arms, knowing you would find him, knowing you had not forgotten him, knowing that you could help him. To see the forgiveness in his eyes... for the suffering and pain he had known in his never-ending quest to find you... but I was not you... ..and despite all my persuasion, his eyes see a stranger. He did not trust. He would not come. He turned and continued his journey... ..one he was sure would bring him to you.
He does not understand you are NOT looking for him. He only knows you are not there, he only knows that he must find you. You are his "Alpha", his leader... ..the only one that he has ever known. This is more important than food, or water, or the stranger who can give him these things, and remove the pain in his paw.
Persuasion and pursuit seemed futile... .. I did not even know his name! I drove home, filled a bucket with water and a bowl with food and returned to where we had met. I could see no sign of him, but left my offering under the tree where he had sought shelter from the sun and a chance to rest. You see... ..he is not of the desert. When you domesticated him, you took away any instinct of survival out here. His purpose demands that he travel during the day.
He doesn't know that the sun and heat will claim his life. He only knows that he HAS to find you.
I waited hoping he would return to the tree, hoping my gift would build an element of trust so I might bring him home, remove the burr from his paw, give him a cool place to lie and help him understand that the part of his life with you... ..is now over and that his "Alpha" has abandoned him. He did not return that morning and at dusk the water and food were still there untouched... and I worried...
You must understand that many people would not attempt to help your wolf. Some would run him off, others would call the county Animal Control and some would try to kill him. The fate you thought you saved him from... ..would be preempted by his suffering for days without food or water.
I returned again before dark... ..I did not see him.
I went again early the next morning, only to find the food and water still untouched. If only you were here to call his name. Your voice is so familiar to him.
I began pursuit in the direction he had taken yesterday, doubt overshadowing my hope of finding him. His search for you was desperate, it could take him many miles in 24 hours.
It is hours later now and a good distance from where we first met... ..but I have found your wolf.
His thirst has stopped, it is no longer a torment to him. His hunger has disappeared. He no longer aches. The burrs in his paws bother him no more.
Your wolf has been set free from his burdens.
You see, your wolf has died.
I kneel next to him, with tears welling up in my eyes, and I cry out! I CURSE you for not being here yesterday so I could see the glow... ..if just for a moment, in those now vacant eyes. I pray that his journey has taken him to a place I think you hoped he would find. If only you knew what he went through to reach it... ..and I agonize. For I know that were he to awaken at this moment... ..and (if) I were to be YOU, his eyes would sparkle with recognition! He would lick your face... ..and his tail would wag with forgiveness!
At least he died knowing that his Alpha figure had not abandoned him...
Written by John Braden
of TUNDRA SHEPHERD RESCUE
MYDM777 Community Member 
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